Professor James A. Gardner - Jaeckle Award 2017

James A. Gardner, the Bridget and Thomas Black Professor at the School of Law, has served as interim dean since December 2014. He has led significant initiatives to strengthen the school’s administration, teaching and clinical education offerings. A member of the law faculty since 2001, Gardner is a highly regarded specialist in constitutional and election law. His scholarly research and writing have focused on the workings of subnational governments, such as states and provinces, in the United States and abroad.

He has published six books as well as numerous book chapters, articles and review essays. He recently was recognized as one of the 10 most frequently cited scholars in the field of election law by the Election Law blog. 

At UB Law, Gardner previously served as director of the Jaeckle Center for Law, Democracy and Governance. He was vice dean for academic affairs from 2005 to 2012. He also served as the elected chair of the School of Law’s ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee, which evaluated the state of the school and identified strategies to preserve and enhance its strengths. This included a comprehensive review which resulted in a new bachelor of arts program that will broaden the scope of the school.

Gardner earned his B.A. from Yale University in 1980 and his J.D. from the University of Chicago in 1984. From 1984 to 1988, he practiced law in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Master of Ceremonies: Terrence M. Connors.

Remarks presented by Brian D. Gwitt, Law Alumni Association president; Douglas W. Dimitroff, Dean’s Advisory Council chair; Charles F. Zukoski, UB provost; Guyora Binder, SUNY Distinguished Professor and vice dean for research and faculty development.

Charles F. Zukoski and Brian D. Gwitt co-present the Jaeckle Award. Interim Dean Gardner offers acceptance remarks.