Faculty

Lawrence Ponoroff, J.D.
Professor of Legal Practice

Lawrence Ponoroff brings to Wilmington University Farnan School of Law a career spanning legal education, academic leadership, private practice, and national service in bankruptcy law. He is also professor emeritus at Tulane University Law School. His prior appointments include serving as professor and dean at Michigan State University College of Law, where he negotiated the agreement that led to the college’s full integration with Michigan State University. From 2009 to 2016, he held the Samuel M. Fegtly Chair in Commercial Law and served as dean at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He previously served as dean of Tulane Law School and held its Mitchell Franklin Professorship in Private and Commercial Law.

Before entering academia, Professor Ponoroff was a partner with the Denver-based firm Holme Roberts & Owen, now Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, where his practice focused on corporate and commercial litigation. His scholarship centers on business and consumer bankruptcy, contracts, and commercial law. He has authored or co-authored more than 40 law review articles and essays and seven books in those fields.

Professor Ponoroff has also contributed extensively to the legal profession. By appointment of the Chief Justice of the United States, he served two terms on the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules to the U.S. Judicial Conference and on the Bankruptcy Judges Education Committee of the Federal Judicial Center. He is an elected lifetime member of the American Law Institute, a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. His service has also included leadership and advisory roles with state bar associations and organizations devoted to bankruptcy law and legal history.

A graduate of Stanford Law School, Professor Ponoroff has taught at or visited several law schools, including the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and the University of Toledo, where he served for two years as associate dean for Academic Affairs. Students at four law schools have recognized him with teaching excellence awards.

Lawrence Ponoroff's Philosophy

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