Attitudes of law school professors towards the Texas Supreme Court

This study is an examination of the attitudes displayed by law school professors. The law schools in Texas served as the basis of the study because of their proximity and because of the interest of this researcher in legal education in Texas. A set of hypotheses were formed and tested in this study. These centered around the general attitudes the law professors displayed towards the Texas Supreme Court and the relationship between the professor and the Justices of the Court. Interviews with full time law professors made up the data in this survey research project. The responses of the professors were then analyzed, and against these findings the hypotheses were tested. The hypotheses tested were that the professor displayed a favorable opinion of the Court's work and that an interrelationship does take place between some professors and some justices. These opinions become important when expressed to law students. Educational institutions are an important agency in the socialization process as they shape the students' opinions and views. This is particularly true of professional schools; here the training gives the student the competency necessary, and also exposes him to a set of attitudes common to his aspiring profession. The law professor serves as such a socializing agency. As such, his opinions are important as they will influence the thinking of the future members of the law profession. A reciprocal relationship was found to take place between certain professors and certain justices on the Court. Studies have been made which indicate that certain members of the United States Supreme Court have known and consulted with members of law school faculties. The data in this study indicate that, indeed, a similar situation exists in Texas: certain members of the Texas Supreme Court are known by certain faculty members of the law schools in Texas. It can thus be concluded that law professors both display favorable attitudes toward the Court and interact with the members of the Court, the justices.Political Science, Department o