Professor Matthew Hall has been named the recipient of this year’s Ben A. Hardy Faculty Excellence Award, which is chosen annually by the Dean of the Law School and the President of the Student Bar Association.
“Professor Hall is very deserving of this award. Both students and graduates often comment on what an outstanding teacher he is,” said Susan Duncan, dean of the law school. “He is well-organized, clear in his presentation, engaging, and available to students outside of class. I am proud to have Professor Hall as a colleague.”
In addition to teaching full time, Hall was instrumental in the implementation of the law school’s unique 1L Winter Intersession Course in Contract Drafting and Negotiation. As the coordinator for the program, he oversees all five sections and teaches a section himself.
Hall also works closely with the Moot Court program and is a driving force behind the law school’s rise in the ranks of nationally recognized advocacy programs. Through his hard work restructuring the program and preparing teams for competitions, the law school continues to win National Championships.
“It is deeply flattering to receive the Hardy Award, especially considering the talent and commitment across the faculty,” said Hall. “UM Law’s engaged students definitely bring out the best in all of us.”
Hall joined the Law School faculty in 2001. He is the Jesse D. Puckett, Jr. Lecturer, and his scholarly interests focus on the intersection of immigration law, criminal law and procedure, and national security law. He teaches a variety of classes including Property, Legislation, Criminal Procedure II, and Federal Trial Practice. Prior to his time at UM Law, Hall worked as an attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice.