Rennard Strickland had a negative experience in law school but decided to become a law professor to improve legal education for students, and over his career he became a pioneer in introducing Indian law and authored many books on Native American history and culture. As the Philip H. Knight Professor of Law at the University of Oregon, Strickland has helped shape views of the legal profession through his teaching and has significantly advanced Indian law through his scholarly work, leadership roles, and work resolving important cases.

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Rennard Strickland: Philip H. Knight Professor of Law and
former Dean of the University of Oregon School of Law
[By Jen Woods]
Rennard Strickland hated law school so much that he decided to become a law professor. He realized that, as a teacher, he could
make the experience better for future students.
“When I was in law school, I think it would be college. He earned his B.A. at Northeastern of American Indian Law and Policy and a
safe to say there was no one who hated law State University, which was founded by the professor at the University of Oklahoma.
school any more than I did. The thought that Cherokee tribe in the 19th century. The From 1995 to 1997, he served as Dean of the
I would spend my entire life in an institution school currently has the largest enrollment Oklahoma City University College of Law, and
like law school was something that really of Native American students of any public from 1997 to 2002, he served as Dean of the
didn’t occur to me,” said Strickland, who is institution of higher education. University of Oregon School of Law.
now the Philip H. Knight Professor of Law at
the University of Oregon School of Law. Strickland went on to earn his J.D. from Strickland said working with young people is
the University of Virginia, his M.A. from the one of the highlights of his job. “I think at this
It wasn’t the subject that Strickland disliked; University of Arkansas, and his S.J.D. from moment, at the beginning of the 21st century,
it was the way courses were taught. Law the University of Virginia. we have better law students that we have
school in the 1960s, according to Strickland, had any time in the previous 40 years that I
was a “very sadistic system that was Immediately after law school, Strickland have been teaching,” he said, adding that it is
designed to humiliate or, if not humiliate, at began his career as a graduate teaching rewarding knowing that he has helped shape
least expose the weaknesses [of students] in fellow at the University of Arkansas School their views of the profession.
a very public manner.” of Law. He has also taught at the University
of West Florida, St. Mary’s University, the Indian law presents unique challenges. For
However, Strickland did not become University of Tulsa (where he also served as example, Strickland said he believes that
disgruntled because of his experience. acting dean for one year), the University of many Americans have misconceptions about
Instead, he saw an opportunity to make a Washington, and the University of Wisconsin. Native Americans. Just because a few tribes
difference in legal education. Today, he is In 1985, Strickland served as a professor have opened successful and prosperous
considered a pioneer in introducing Indian and dean at the Southern Illinois University casinos, many people believe that every
law into the university curriculum, and he School of Law. From 1990 to1995, he was Native American is making millions of
is the only person to have received both the director of the Center for the Study dollars, which simply is not true, he said.
the Society of American Law Teachers
(SALT) Award (1979) and the American Bar In order to help inform the public, Strickland
Association’s Spirit of Excellence Award Active to Younge Lawyers has written and edited more than 35 books
(1997). about Native American history and culture.
“Remember that your first job is not your
last job,” Strickland said. There are many He is often cited for his work as Editor-in-
Strickland’s interest in Native American opportunities to work with tribes, state Chief of The Handbook of Federal Indian Law,
culture and history comes as no surprise, agencies, and universities. “If you are really which was written by Felix S. Cohen. The
considering his heritage. His parents were interested in working with Indian people and book is highly regarded and considered by
Osage and Cherokee Native Americans, and Indian law, the more kinds of experiences many to be the “Bible of Indian law.”
he grew up in “Indian Country” (Muskogee, and the broader range of experiences you
OK). have, the more you will ultimately contribute He is currently working on a book called Spirit
to the development of Indian law and the
Red. The book, expected to hit bookstores in
advancement of the Indian people,” he
Strickland was also exposed to Native three years, includes biographies of 50 key
added.
American culture throughout his years in Native American leaders.
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THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF LEGAL JOBS ON EARTH
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Strickland’s work with Indian law goes Strickland has helped many tribes and ON THE NET
far beyond the classroom. He has helped museums resolve legal conflicts regarding
resolve many significant Indian law cases. skeletal remains and sacred objects. He has University of Oregon School of Law
For instance, he served as the Chair and also served as an expert witness in several www.law.uoregon.edu
Arbitrator of the Osage Constitutional federal court cases, including the Creek
Commission. During that time, he drafted Nation gaming case. Native American Rights Fund
the Osage National Constitution, which was www.narf.org
approved by the votes of more than 65% of Strickland has been an active member of
the tribal electorate. the American Bar Association since 1974, The Association of American Law Schools
and he was President of the Association of www.aals.org
In addition, the U.S. Senate Select Committee American Law Schools in 1994. He is the first
on Indian Affairs appointed Strickland to person to have served as both President of
chair a team of three Indian law experts from the Association of American Law Schools and
the University of Wisconsin Law School. The Chair of the Law School Admission Council.
team drafted a report on a fishing rights
controversy that led to a peaceful resolution.
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