Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk

KU Law alumna Irma Russell has returned to Green Hall this spring, serving as a distinguished visiting professor.

Russell, L’79, spent several years in Lawrence as a student, earning undergraduate degrees in liberal arts and education as well as a master’s degree in English Literature before entering law school. Her most recent stint on campus was in 2009 when she served as a visiting professor.

Russell is teaching two environmental law courses this spring: the Environmental Law survey course, and the Public Lands and Natural Resources Law seminar course, which has not been offered for several years.

“Although I have taught law school in different areas of the country, Kansas is my home, and no place beats Lawrence for academics and atmosphere,” Russell said.

While the allure of Lawrence tempted Russell to return to Green Hall, the "well-deserved ranking of the KU program in environmental law" also prompted her decision, Russell said.

“My interest in environmental law goes all the way back before 1976 when I entered KU Law,” Russell said. “Few law schools had a program in environmental law at that time, and today the program is even more diverse and well-established.”

Russell practiced for approximately a decade after law school, representing potentially responsible parties, government entities, lenders, and others on issues arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other environmental areas. She also represented parties seeking permits for wetlands designation, site mitigation, and other environmental issues.

Since the mid-‘90s, Russell has been helping students prepare to be lawyers. She has served as a law professor at several schools, including the University of Tulsa and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she currently serves as the Edward A. Smith/Missouri Endowed Chair in the Law, the Constitution, and Society. Russell also served as dean and professor at the University of Montana School of Law.

“The most enjoyable aspect of teaching for me is the thrill of interacting with students and having some influence on the future leaders in the law and society,” Russell said.

She feels she must impress upon soon-to-be lawyers the importance of ethics, environmental law, and environmental values.

“The founders of our country sought to secure ‘the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,’ meaning they cared about the future and human flourishing. Environmental law and environmental lawyers are central to confronting the challenges of climate change, extreme weather and other environmental threats,” Russell said. “Lawyers have a duty as ‘public citizens’ to reform the law when reform is necessary for the public good.”

Russell is optimistic the next generation of lawyers will prioritize the environment.

“The students here at KU and other law schools have a genuine interest in environmental law, and many have the talent, discipline and integrity to become leaders for the next generation,” Russell said. “There are big challenges ahead, but I believe they will rise to those challenges.”

For now, Russell continues meeting the people of Green Hall and enjoying her time on campus.

“It is terrific to be back in Lawrence,” Russell said. “This town up from the prairie is one of my favorite places on earth.”