When I look back upon my time at the law school, I will remember, with fondness and gratitude, Professor Earl C. Dudley, Jr.. The first time I met this distinguished gentleman was during my first semester here. I went up to the faculty offices, and was trying to find a professor when Professor Dudley, seeing my look of confusion and query, kindly asked whether he could help point me in the right direction. It was a very brief moment, but his kindness came across clearly.
I didn't have a chance to interact with him again until my team was preparing for the Sutherland Constitutional Moot Court Competition. We desperately needed a good coach, especially one who was well-versed in 4th Amendment issues. Upon the shortest notice, we (sheepishly) asked for Professor Dudley's help. Without even a moment's hesitation, he agreed to coach us. Two hours of instruction from him were worth more than any practice we could have done on our own. I really shouldn't be surprised, as he was the Editor-in-Chief of the law review when he was a student here, clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and litigated for many years at one of the most respected law firms in the nation. If anybody knew how to argue a case, it was him.
My admiration for Professor Dudley grew immensely when I had the good fortune to take his Evidence class. It wasn't just about his excellent teaching; he is truly a learned gentleman in the best sense of the word, a man who exhibits wisdom, class, and decency at every turn. It's hard to pinpoint anything in particular, but anyone who listens to his stories about the choices he made, and how he handled different situations, would come to the same conclusion. This is a person who has always been at the pinnacle of his profession, and yet he never fails to demonstrate kindness and understanding to the people around him.
He retired as of last week. I had the pleasure of having lunch with him today, received more advice from him about my career, and most importantly, got to thank him for teaching me, by his example, some important lessons that go well beyond the law. This sounds like such a cliche, but I hope that by the time I retire, I will have replicated at least some of the good things that Professor Dudley did for his friends, colleagues, and students. He will remain a great role model for all of us.
My admiration for Professor Dudley grew immensely when I had the good fortune to take his Evidence class. It wasn't just about his excellent teaching; he is truly a learned gentleman in the best sense of the word, a man who exhibits wisdom, class, and decency at every turn. It's hard to pinpoint anything in particular, but anyone who listens to his stories about the choices he made, and how he handled different situations, would come to the same conclusion. This is a person who has always been at the pinnacle of his profession, and yet he never fails to demonstrate kindness and understanding to the people around him.
He retired as of last week. I had the pleasure of having lunch with him today, received more advice from him about my career, and most importantly, got to thank him for teaching me, by his example, some important lessons that go well beyond the law. This sounds like such a cliche, but I hope that by the time I retire, I will have replicated at least some of the good things that Professor Dudley did for his friends, colleagues, and students. He will remain a great role model for all of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment