Austen Parrish

Austen Parrish
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Full-Time Faculty
Austen Parrish
Profile
Austen Parrish
Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law
Expertise:
Transnational Law and Litigation, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Federal Courts
Background:
Austen Parrish joined University of California, Irvine School of Law in August 2022 as its third dean and as a Chancellor’s Professor of Law. He recently concluded his term as the 2025-26 President of the Association of American Law Schools and assumed the role of Immediate Past President. Dean Parrish is a long-standing member of the board of directors of the AccessLex Institute and serves as co-editor of the
Journal of Legal Education
. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute, a fellow with the American Bar Foundation, and a fellow with the Association of American Law Schools.
Parrish’s research and teaching interests focus on international law, transnational litigation, and the role that national courts and domestic institutions play in solving global challenges. He has particular expertise in legal and policy issues related to the extraterritorial application of domestic law. He is the author of dozens of scholarly articles published in leading law reviews and is the co-author of three books. Over his career, he has taught a variety of courses, including Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Federal Courts, Transnational Law, International Environmental Law, and Public International Law.
Before joining University of California, Irvine, Parrish was the sixteenth Dean and James H. Rudy Professor of Law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law (2014-2022). In 2018 and again in 2021, he was named a Wells Scholars Professor for his work with Indiana University’s prestigious Wells Scholars program. In 2019, he was bestowed with IU’s Bicentennial Medal and, in 2022, he was awarded the Provost’s Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the Office of the Provost, recognizing outstanding and transformative contributions to Indiana University Bloomington.
Before joining Indiana University Bloomington, Parrish served as interim dean and CEO (2012-2013), vice dean (2008-2012), and the Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law (2007-2008) at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. From 2003 to 2010, he directed Southwestern’s international and comparative summer law program in Vancouver, Canada, hosted by the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law in collaboration with the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, a United Nations affiliate. In 2015, he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Southwestern Law School during its 100th year graduation ceremony, and in 2014 was honored by Southwestern’s Alumni Board with its Outstanding Friend Award.
Parrish is active in a variety of national organizations focused on legal education. Since 2015, he has served as a member of the board of directors of AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of legal education with a focus on issues of access and affordability.
From 2020-2023, and again from 2024 onwards, he has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of American Law Schools and a member of the AALS Deans Steering Committee. He is an officer of the Association, is currently serving as president (2025), was president-elect (2024) and will serve as past president in 2026. From 2015-2020, he served as a member, and then chair, of the AALS Membership Review Committee. He served as a member of the faculty/programming committee for the 2019 ABA New Deans Workshop, and that same year the Indiana Supreme Court appointed him to the Study Commission on the Future of the Indiana Bar Examination.
Prior to entering academia, Dean Parrish was an attorney with O'Melveny & Myers LLP in Los Angeles, where he litigated in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Dean Parrish received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and his law degree from Columbia University, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar.
Recent Publications
Kellye Testy & Austen Parrish, A Tumultuous Year: Challenges to Legal Education and the Legal Profession, Southwestern Law Review (forthcoming 2026)
Elgar Encyclopedia on Extraterritoriality and the Law (Austen Parrish, Cedric Ryngaert & Danielle Ireland Piper eds.) (forthcoming 2026)
Op-ed, Austen Parrish & Kellye Testy, Don’t Break What Works: Why States Shouldn’t Abandon National Law School Accreditation, The National Law Review (January 8, 2026)
Op-ed, Kellye Testy & Austen Parrish, Protecting Pro Bono Legal Services Is Crucial for All Americans, Bloomberg Law (October 14, 2025)
Op-ed, Austen Parrish, The Value of Higher and Legal Education, AALS Lens (October 10, 2025)
Op-ed, Austen Parrish, The Role of Legal Education, Enduring Principles, and Supporting Each Other, AALS Lens (September 17, 2025)
Op-ed, Kellye Testy & Austen Parrish, America’s Judges Are Under Attack – Lawyers Have A Duty to Defend Them, The Hill (September 14, 2025)
Op-ed, Austen Parrish, Dean’s Corner: A Spotlight on Faculty Excellence, Orange County Lawyer (September 2025)
Co-editor,
Vol. 73 Journal of Legal Education No. 2
(Spring 2025)
Introduction, “From the Editors,” Vol. 73 Journal of Legal Education No. 2 (2025)
Forgotten International Law: Legal and Political Struggles of Extraterritoriality (work in progress)
Extraterritoriality in International Law (co-edited with Cedric Ryngaert)
(Research Handbook, Edward Elgar Publishing, under contract, forthcoming)
Parrish, Austen L. Hard-Nosed Advice from a Cranky Law Professor: How to Succeed in Law School. Carolina Academic Press, 2nd Edition, 2021.
Parrish, Austen L., and Cristina C. Knolton. Hard-Nosed Advice from a Cranky Law Professor: How to Succeed in Law School. Carolina Academic Press, 1st Edition, 2010.
Parrish, Austen. L., & Yokoyama, D. T. Effective lawyering: A checklist approach to legal writing and oral argument. Carolina Academic Press, 2nd Editon, 2012
Parrish, Austen. L., & Yokoyama, D. T. Effective lawyering: A checklist approach to legal writing and oral argument. Carolina Acad. Press, 1st Edition, 2007
Dean Parrish's Scholarly Papers on SSRN
Recent and Upcoming Events
April 2026
➜ Panelist on behalf of the Association of American Law Schools, International Symposium on Improving the Legal Professional Training System, Association of Korean Law Schools, Seoul, South Korea
➜  Speaker, “U.S. Unilateralism and Recent Developments in U.S. Tariff Policy,” Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
➜  Speaker, International Symposium on “How Well Does the Legal Professional Training System Meet Public Interest Needs?” Association of Korean Law Schools, Seoul, South Korea
➜  Speaker, “The Growing Importance of the Service Mission of U.S. Law Schools,” Seoul National University School of Law, Seoul, South Korea
March 2026
➜  Speaker, Symposium: “Resistance! Now,” Southwestern Law Review, Southwestern Law School, Zoom webinar
➜   Panelist, “Leadership Lessons from the Country’s Most Influential Individuals in Legal Education,” National Conference for Law Review Editors hosted by Scribes—The American Society of Legal Writers
➜   Welcome remarks, “Rule of Law, Executive Orders, and the Legal Profession,” AALS Teach-In Webinar Series on Professional Independence and the Legal Profession, Association of American Law Schools and UC Irvine Law’s Center for Empirical Research on the Legal Profession and the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality
➜   Speaker, “Changes in Legal Education Amid Federal Loan Legislation,” Orange County Bar Association Banking and Lending Section
➜   Moderator, AALS webinar on AI and the Profession (including the integration of AI and technology into legal education), Association of American Law Schools
➜  Speaker, “Training Lawyers for the 21st Century: Educating Legal Practitioners for a Changing World,” Wake Up! Newport
January 2026
➜  Presidential Address. President’s 2025 Report, AALS House of Representative, AALS Annual Meeting
➜  Introduction, Presidential Plenary Panel: “Rule of Law, Executive Orders, and the Legal Profession,” AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
➜  Panelist, Leadership: “Impact, Excellence, Resilience, and Professional Integrity: Educating Lawyers as Leaders,” AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
➜  Moderator, Presidential Plenary Panel: “Legal Education, the Courts, and the Profession,” AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
➜  Introduction, Presidential Plenary Panel: “AALS at 125: Reflecting on History and Impact,” AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
➜  Introduction, “The Access Imperative: A Special Issue of the Journal of Legal Education,” AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
➜  Panelist, “AALS Arc of Career – A Session for First Time Meeting Attendees,” AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
November 2025
Panelist, “The Future of Legal Education: ABA, DEI, and AI,” Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention, Washington, D.C.
October 2025
Panel Moderator (Co-Editor, Journal of Legal Education), AALS Journal of Legal Education Symposium themed “Impact, Excellence, Resilience: Contemporary Views on Pioneering Legal Education Scholarship,” New York Law School
September 2025
➜  Speaker, “Transformation, Impact, and Opportunities: Leadership Lessons from Trailblazing California Law School Deans,” California Lawyers Association Annual Meeting
➜  Moderator, “The Value of Legal Education,” The Access Imperative Convening
➜  Panelist, “Access to Legal Education,” The Access Imperative Convening
➜  Panelist, “Transformation, Impact, and Opportunities: Leadership Lessons from Trailblazing California Law School Deans,” California Lawyers Association, 2025 Annual Meeting
➜ Speaker, “Navigating the Year in a Time of Uncertainty,” Deans Dialogue (Webinar)
➜ Remarks, “AALS Workshop for Lateral Candidates,” AALS Webinar
July 2025
➜  Opening and Welcome Remarks, 4th Annual Workshop for Adjunct Faculty (Association of American Law Schools)
➜  Opening Remarks and Welcome Remarks, Workshop for Appointments Committees (Association of American Law Schools)
May 2025
➜  Panelist, “A Conversation on the Future of ABA Accreditation of Texas Law Schools,” Houston Bar Association
➜  Panelist, “What Does This All Mean? Understanding the Implications (and Limits) of Recent Anti-DEI Pronouncements,” AccessLex Institute, Spring Workshop
April 2025
Welcome speaker, AALS Luncheon, 2025 Conference on Clinical Legal Education, Association of American Law Schools
Recent Honors
2026, National Jurist, 25 Most Influential in Legal Education
2025, President of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS)
2022 Provost’s Medal, Indiana University Bloomington (highest honor bestowed by Provost)
2021 Class of 1941 Wells Scholars Professor
2019 American Law Institute, Elected Member
2019 Indiana University Bicentennial Medal Recipient
2018 Class of 1942 Wells Scholars Professor
2017 Indianapolis Bar Assoc., Board of Directors Award (Bar Exam Improvements Task Force)
2015 Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree Recipient, Southwestern Law School (100th Year Graduation)
2014 Outstanding Friend Award – Southwestern Alumni Association
2014 Commencement Grand Marshal, Southwestern Law School (student-selected)
2012 Commencement Grand Marshal, Southwestern Law School (student-selected)
2011 AALS Section on International Human Rights, selected paper
2011 Commencement Grand Marshal, Southwestern Law School (student-selected)
2008 Commencement Grand Marshal, Southwestern Law School (student-selected)
2007 Recipient of the Irwin R. Buchalter Professorship
2007 Excellence in Teaching Award (student-selected)
2007 Harvard/Boalt/UCLA Junior Environmental. Scholars Workshop, selected paper
2007 AALS Section on North American Cooperation, selected paper
2005 Award for Contribution to the 2004-05 Moot Court Honors Program
2004 Award for Contribution to the 2003-04 Moot Court Honors Program
2002 Constitutional Rights Foundation Mock Trial Coach of the Year
2002 County of Los Angeles Commendation
In the Media
The JoongAng: Dean Austen L. Parrish Discusses AI and the Future of Legal Education in Q&A
Faculty Roundup | April 2026
KERA News: Texas dropped ABA law school accreditation after 4 decades. Can it come up with a better system?
Bloomberg Law: Florida Opens Bar Exam to Non-ABA Accredited Law Schools (2)
UC Irvine Law Rings in 2026 with National Leadership Roles in Law, Policy and Academia
UC Irvine Law Leadership and Presenters at 2026 AALS Annual Meeting
Law.com: Austen Parrish Reflects on Year as President of AALS
ABA Journal: Speculation swirls over what law school accreditation might look like if states break away from ABA*
Inside Higher Ed: Texas Drops ABA Oversight of Lawyers Amid Anti-DEI Crusade
National Law Review: Don’t Break What Works: Why States Shouldn’t Abandon National Law School Accreditation
Bloomberg Law: Florida, Ohio Consider Dropping ABA After Texas Cuts Ties (2)
Dean Austen Parrish Named One of National Jurist’s 25 Most Influential Leaders in Legal Education
National Jurist: The 25 Most Influential People in Legal Education
National Law Review: 85 Predictions for AI and the Law in 2026
Law.com: Law School Applicant Boom to Benefit Lower Tier Schools
Law.com: Admission to Top-Tier Law Schools More Competitive Than Ever*
Law.com: As FTC Condemns ABA, Critics Counter: No Accreditation Would Be ‘Much Worse’
Bloomberg Law: Judges’ AI Blunders Spark Debate on Technology Use in Courts
One Question Too Many (Podcast) featuring Dean Austen Parrish
TaxProf Blog: Harvey’s Principles for AI Adoption and Rollout in Law Schools
TaxProf Blog: The Chronicle | Americans Think Trump is Overreaching on Higher Education
TaxProf Blog: New LSAC Study: Doing Good Motivates Aspiring Lawyers
TaxProf Blog: Dean Parrish to Contribute Weekly to TaxProf Blog, Now Hosted by AALS
Law.com: After Justices Scold Judges, Some Worry About Public Perception of Lower Courts
Bloomberg Law: Protecting Pro Bono Legal Services Is Crucial for All Americans
A Time to Reflect on our History, the Importance of Education, and Supporting Each Other
The Hill: America’s judges are under attack – lawyers have a duty to defend them (Opinion)
Faculty Roundup | September 2025
Dean Austen Parrish Pens “Dean’s Corner” for Orange County Lawyer Magazine’s September 2025 Publication
National Jurist: Law schools face hot button issues: Free speech, DEI and accreditation
Forbes: Top Research Universities Hit Hard By Trump Assault On Funding, Foreign Students
Marketplace: How Trump’s student loan borrowing caps could end up hurting law, pharmacy and medical students
Dean Austen Parrish Reflects on Legal Education’s Resilience in AALS President’s Mid-Year Message
Faculty Roundup | August 2025
USA Today: Has Trump made it harder to become a doctor or lawyer?
The Chronicle of Education: The End of Unlimited Grad-School Loans Could Leave Some Colleges and Students in the Lurch
U.S. News & World Report: How to Prepare for a Judicial Career in Law School
Reuters: Student loan caps could hit minorities, low-ranked law schools the hardest
UCI Law Talks: Hon. Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux on her Public Interest and Judicial Career, UC Irvine Days and Advice on How to Be a Really Great Litigator
The Colorado Sun: Law school applications are surging in Colorado this year, part of a nationwide trend
Faculty Roundup | May 2025
AALS: Law Students Contribute Millions of Hours in Pro Bono Services
Canadian Lawyer: Trump threatens to revoke American Bar Association’s law school accreditor status
Reuters: US Education Department closure imperils law school finances, deans say
UCI Law Talks Podcast: Mei Tsang on Leadership, Service and Building Community with the Orange County Bar Association
UC Irvine Law Faculty Participate in UCI Forum for the Academy and the Public’s 2025 Annual Conference
What Matters to Me and Why: E. Martin Estrada (B.A. ’98) on His Service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District
UC Irvine Law Rings in 2025 with National Leadership Roles in Law, Policy and Academia
Aspen Leading Edge: The Past and Future of AALS with Melanie Wilson and Austen Parrish
Austen L. Parrish to Serve as President of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) in 2025
AALS: UC Irvine School of Law and New York Law School Chart a New Path for the Journal of Legal Education
UCI Law Talks Podcast Listed No. 4 and Featured on “15 Best Irvine Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025”
Dean Austen Parrish Pens “Dean’s Corner” for Orange County Lawyer Magazine’s January 2025 Publication
Thank You and Happy Holidays | A Year-End Message to Friends of UC Irvine School of Law
Politico: In Supreme Court battle over transgender rights, conservatives look to an unlikely ally: Europe
UC Irvine Law Leadership and Presenters at 2025 AALS Annual Meeting: “Courage in Action”
UC Irvine School of Law Celebrates Official Opening of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality
UCI Law Talks: In Memoriam: Honoring Professor Dan Burk (1962-2024)
Coffee With The Dean (featuring 2L Elizabeth Monroe)
UCI Law Hosts 2024 MLK Jr. Teach-In Event
UCI Law Talks: Honoring Fred T. Korematsu Day with Professor Robert Chang
Austen L. Parrish to Serve as President-Elect of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) in 2024
Korea University School of Law and UC Irvine Law Announce New Partnership Initiatives
UCI Law Leadership and Presenters at 2024 AALS Annual Meeting: “Defending Democracy”
Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and Professor Robert S. Chang to Join UCI Law
Michael Gregg on his longstanding leadership in Orange County with the OCBA and as a Founder of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association
Orange County Business Journal:
Dean Austen Parrish was listed in Orange County Business Journal's 2022 OC 500 Directory of Influence
UCI News:
The doppelganger dean - Austen Parrish brings a distinctive backstory to UCI Law
Orange County Lawyer Magazine:
Austen Parrish Continuing UCI's Trajectory of Excellence
UCI Law:
Austen Parrish is named third dean of UCI School of Law
The American Law Institute:
Austen Parrish is the Next Dean of UCI School of Law
Indiana Public Radio:
IU Maurer School of Law dean Parrish leaving to become dean of UCI Law
Indiana Daily Student:
Maurer School of Law dean Parrish to step down, become dean at UCI Law
UCI Law:
Full Media Coverage: Austen Parrish appointed dean of UCI Law
Indianapolis Business Journal:
IU Maurer School of law dean Parrish leaving to lead California School
Bloomberg Law:
University of California, Irvine School of Law has hired Austen Parrish to become its new dean
The Indiana Lawyer:
IU Maurer dean Parrish leaving to lead UC-Irvine law school
Contact Information
401 E. Peltason Drive
EDU 1000
(949) 824-7722
aparrish@law.uci.edu
Faculty Support
Sam Domingo
(949) 824-8814
sdomingo@law.uci.edu
Related Links
Dean Parrish's Scholarship on SSRN
Curriculum Vitae
Austen Parrish's CV
Education
University of Washington B.A. 1994
Columbia University School of Law J.D. 1997