For release: May 29, 2012
For press information, contact Curt Guenther, 901/678-2843

Professor William P. Kratzke

Professor William P. Kratzke has been named interim dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.  He will take office June 1, 2012, and will succeed Kevin Smith, who is returning full-time to teaching and research.

In announcing Kratzke’s appointment, U of M Provost Ralph Faudree said, “Professor Kratzke not only is an internationally recognized scholar and educator, but he has substantial experience as an administrator.  The University is fortunate to have a leader with his background who can assume the leadership of the law school.”

Kratzke has taught at the U of M law school since 1979.  He served as associate dean from 1989 to 1991, and in 1995 he was named Cecil C. Humphreys Professor of Law.

He has also taught law at the University of Mississippi, Santa Clara (Calif.) University, and Oklahoma City University, as well as the Moscow summer program of New York’s Touro University. 

As a Fulbright Scholar, he was a lecturer during academic year 2001-2002 at Moscow State Linguistic University and in 1997 at the State University of Moldova and at ULIM University.

Kratzke’s areas of expertise are in business law and include such topics as basic income tax, corporate tax, U.S. taxation of international income, international economic law, economic analysis of law, trademarks and unfair competition.  He has also taught torts, civil procedure, administrative law, and environmental law.

He holds a B.A. degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, a J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, and an LL.M. centered on labor law from Georgetown University.  At Valparaiso, he was managing editor and note editor of the law review.

He is a member of the American Bar Association and American Law Institute and has served as commentator for the American Bar Association’s Central & East European Law Initiative (CEELI).