From day one to year one: ASU Law’s newest faculty reflect on a meaningful first year

Now that the dust has settled from convocation and students at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University have completed another academic year, it also marks the completion for faculty.

Last summer, five faculty members joined the ASU Law team, bringing their knowledge and experience to classrooms filled with eager students. Here’s what they’ve accomplished in their first year.

Ellen Bublick, foundation professor of law and civil justice

For Ellen Bublick, joining ASU Law felt like giving herself a gift.

“When I came to campus to talk with the hiring committee, the scholars in the room were such an impressive and engaging group that I didn’t want to leave,” she said. “Dean Leeds is a very warm and positive person. I was attracted to her vision for community-building, high-quality legal education, measurable student success and real-world scholarship.”

This last year, Bublick taught first-year students and found their dedication and enthusiasm deeply rewarding.

“I enjoyed being a first-year again with my first-year students,” she said. “It took me a moment to decide to come to ASU and start a new chapter of my life here. The students’ dedication to learning, their energy and their kindness made me immediately glad to be here.”

Outside of the classroom, Bublick remained highly active in legal scholarship. She authored an article for the Yale Law Journal on tort liability to police officers, contributed a chapter on duty of care for a volume published by Oxford University Press and co-edited a book on the future of tort law research with Harvard Law Dean John Goldberg.

She also helped organize several symposia on complex international litigation at Stanford Law School and tort law and extended reality for the Journal of Tort Law. She’s currently collaborating with a student and a product designer on an article about designing product liability law with a product’s full lifecycle in mind. Bublick also just agreed to be a co-editor on a book about Chinese Tort Law.

Charles Capps, associate professor of law 

Charles Capps was drawn to ASU Law for its strong reputation, collegial faculty and vibrant campus. Coming from Chicago, he was also motivated by the wide range of outdoor activities Arizona has to offer.

One year in, Capps has already been impressed by the caliber of ASU Law students.

“We are lucky to have some of the best students in the nation here at ASU Law,” he said. “They are a joy to teach. Nothing is more rewarding than watching motivated students develop from eager 1Ls to young attorneys at the top of their profession. “

Capps recalled moments in his jurisprudence class that stood out during his first year. Often, he found times when students challenged his thinking in new ways.

“There were a couple of moments in my jurisprudence class when a student made an excellent point that had not previously occurred to me,” he said. “It's a privilege to teach at an institution where not only do my students learn from me, but I have opportunities to learn from them too.”

Over the past year, Capps has been busy with several research projects. His forthcoming article in the Notre Dame Law Review explores the extent to which the law determines outcomes in every case. Another article, set to appear in the University of Chicago Law Review, uses Bayesian epistemology as a model for understanding the role of precedent in adjudication.

Capps said he’s looking forward to another year of engaging classes, thought-provoking discussions and continued growth alongside his students.

Jonathan Green, associate professor of law 

Jonathan Green says one of the best parts about joining ASU Law has been the people, both the students and his colleagues.

“I feel so fortunate to have joined a community of intellectually creative and engaged colleagues, and to have the opportunity to teach such bright, thoughtful and engaged students,” he said.

One of the highlights from his first year was teaching civil procedure, a subject he’s loved ever since his own law school days.

“It’s a really tough class for many 1Ls,” Green said. “Getting to unpack and wrestle with some of the more complicated procedural rules in our system – about personal jurisdiction, for instance, or the modern rules of pleading – and to see my students rise to the challenge, was extremely rewarding.”

He also enjoyed connecting with students outside the classroom, especially during office hours.

“Office hours with my 1L students last fall were so much fun,” Green said. “I brought candy, they brought great questions. It was exciting to see the pieces start to click together for them.”

Outside of teaching, Green has spent the year working on several research projects, examining the history of fundamental individual rights in eighteenth-century English courts and the evolution of precedent. 

Looking ahead, Green is excited for more classes, conversations and research in year two.

Andrew Schwaab, clinical associate professor of law and director of the Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic 

Andrew Schwaab joined ASU Law after a long career practicing in Silicon Valley, where he was closely connected to the trademark community. He was impressed when ASU brought the McCarthy Institute to campus, signaling a serious investment in intellectual property and an opportunity to give back through teaching.

“I’ve always enjoyed mentoring young lawyers,” he said. “This felt like the right moment to do something meaningful and help train the next generation.”

For Schwaab, the students have been the highlight of his first year.

“They’ve been refreshing, smart, motivated and genuinely interested in the work,” he said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help them grow, connect them with opportunities and see them get excited about their futures.”

Through the Trademark Clinic, students work on real-world pro bono cases. One client, an ASU Law alum, secured a patent this year for a pool-based game, which was a result of student-led efforts. Schwaab also helps students network, including at national IP conferences where they meet firms from around the world.

Looking ahead, Schwaab is eager to expand the clinic’s use of AI tools and continue preparing students with the cutting-edge skills they’ll need in practice.

“They’ve inspired me,” he said. “It’s been a joy to watch them thrive.”

Jennifer Selin, associate professor of law 

Jennifer Selin joined ASU Law with a strong interest in working alongside engaged students and faculty in a supportive academic environment.

This year, she taught constitutional law to first-year students, which she said was an experience that quickly became a highlight of her year.

“I hosted a dinner at my house for a group of students from my constitutional law class as part of the WLSA auction,” she said. “It was so great to learn more about them and to connect in a relaxed setting. My favorite memory of the year.”

Selin’s research focused on administrative law and public institutions, including how Congress limits judicial review of agencies and how U.S. Attorneys reflect presidential preferences. She also began work on a project for the Administrative Conference of the United States, exploring the relationships between federal agencies and state, local, tribal and territorial governments. 

“ASU Law’s relationship with state and local officials and its nationally respected Indian law program has provided me with a wealth of exposure. That’s absolutely made my work in this area stronger.”

Reflecting on her first year, she added, “I’ve taught at quite a few universities, and the ASU Law student body stands out as being exceptionally motivated and engaged.”

Written by Crystal Jimenez