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About Brian G. Slocum

Professor of Law Brian Slocum, PhD, is an award-winning scholar and teacher with recognized expertise in administrative law, contracts, evidence, statutory interpretation, and the application of linguistics to legal interpretation. Professor Slocum is the author of "Ordinary Meaning: A Theory of the Most Fundamental Principle of Legal Interpretation" (University of Chicago Press, 2015), and the editor of "Inference, Intention and 'Ordinary Meaning': What jurists can learn about legal interpretation from linguistics and philosophy" (University of Chicago Press, 2017) and “Justice Scalia: Rhetoric and the Rule of Law” (University of Chicago Press, 2019). His numerous and frequently cited articles have been published in top journals, including Columbia Law Review, Michigan Law Review, Southern California Law Review, Yale Journal of International Law, Ratio Juris, Northwestern University Law Review, and Statute Law Review (Oxford University Press).

Following his clerkship for Judge Frank Magill, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Professor Slocum joined the Department of Justice through its Honors Program. While at Justice, Professor Slocum argued more than a dozen appellate cases, wrote and reviewed criminal legislation, authored the Department's guidance on various criminal matters to federal prosecutors throughout the country, lectured to federal prosecutors and law enforcement agents, and wrote a speech for the Attorney General and congressional testimony for the Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

Professor Slocum joined the McGeorge School of Law faculty in 2008 where he quickly established himself as a top legal scholar. In 2012 and 2015, by vote of his peers, Professor Slocum was presented with the John G. Sprankling Award for Faculty Scholarship. In 2018, by vote of his peers, Professor Slocum was presented with the Francis J. Mootz III Award for Faculty Scholarship, Best Book. In 2013 and 2014, he won the Julie A. Davies Professor of the Year Award.

In addition to a law degree, Professor Slocum holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Linguistics. His papers can be accessed on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN).

Positions

2021 - Present Distinguished Professor of Law, University of the Pacific ‐ McGeorge School of Law
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2014 - Present Visiting Professor, University of California, Davis ‐ King Hall School of Law
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January 2023 - May 2023 Visiting Professor, Stanford University ‐ Law School
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January 2022 - May 2022 Visiting Professor, University of California - Berkeley ‐ School of Law
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2012 - 2021 Professor of Law, University of the Pacific ‐ McGeorge School of Law
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2008 - 2012 Associate Professor of Law, University of the Pacific ‐ McGeorge School of Law
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2007 - 2008 Visiting Professor, University of Memphis ‐ School of Law
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2005 - 2007 Assistant Professor, Florida Coastal School of Law
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2004 - 2005 Visiting Associate Professor, Widener University School of Law
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2001 - 2002 Adjunct Professor, George Washington University Law School
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January 1999 - February 1999 Student Assistant, Harvard University ‐ Law School
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Law

Research Interests

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Professional Service and Affiliations

Present Member, American Bar Association
Present Member, Association of American Law Schools
Present Member, International Association of Forensic Linguists
Present Member, International Language and Law Association
Present Member, Law and Society Association
Present Member, Linguistic Society of America
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Honors and Awards

  • Francis J. Mootz III Award for Faculty Scholarship, Best Book, 2020
  • Francis J. Mootz III Award for Faculty Scholarship, Best Book, 2018
  • John G. Sprankling Award for Faculty Scholarship, 2015
  • Julie Davies Professor of the Year, 2014
  • Julie Davies Professor of the Year, 2013
  • John G. Sprankling Award for Faculty Scholarship, 2012

Courses

  • Contracts
  • Legislation/Statutory Interpretation
  • Administrative Law
  • Statutes and Regulation
  • Evidence
  • Statutory Interpretation Practicum

Education

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2014 Ph.D., Linguistics, University of California, Davis
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2012 M.A., Linguistics, University of California, Davis
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1999 J.D., Cum Laude, Harvard University ‐ Law School
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1996 B.B.A., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude, Pacific Union College
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Links

Contact Information

University of the Pacific
McGeorge School of Law
3200 Fifth Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916) 739-7013

Email:

Books & Book Chapters (9)

Articles (21)