The company founder and teacher of legal history and national security law is Michael Schein, JD (with honors), Univ. Oregon, 1979; BA (Phi Beta Kappa), Reed College, 1976, Adjunct Prof., American Legal History, UPS Law School & Seattle Univ. Law School, 1988-2003; Appellate & General Litigation, 1980-present, currently with Sullivan & Thoreson, Columbia Center, Seattle; Clerk, Vermont Supreme Court, 1979-80; author of Just Deceits: A Historical Courtroom Mystery, based on a case tried by John Marshall in 1793. Selected professional activities: Presenter, Bush Administration & the Rule of Law CLE, Seattle, May 1, 2009; Presenter, Succeeding in Hard Times CLE, Seattle, March 13, 2009; Presenter, Women Without Rights CLE, Seattle, February 27, 2009; Presenter, Slavery & Jim Crow CLE, Seattle, February 20, 2009; Presenter, Marbury v. Madison CLE, Olympia, January 21, 2009 & Seattle, December 12, 2008; Presenter, Founding Documents CLE, Olympia, January 28, 2009 & Seattle, December 19, 2008; Presenter & Organizer, New Washington Death with Dignity Act CLE, Seattle, January 9, 2009; Co-editor, WSBA Appellate Law Deskbook Update, 2009; Guest lecturer, National Security Law, Seattle University School of Law Sept. 2008; Federal Bar Ass’n, Rule 39.1 Neutral Training Jan.-Feb. 2008; Appointment – WSBA Attorney-Client Dispute Mediator, October 2005; Debate against John Yoo of Office of Legal Counsel, as ACLU Representative: "Constitutional Casualties of the War on Terror", at UW Law School, sponsored by Federalist Society, Jan. 2003; Co-Author, WSBA, Appellate Practice Deskbook (3d ed.) 2003-2004 Judge, Second Year Legal Writing Moot Appellate Court, Seattle University School of Law, Dec. 2001 & 2003, Nov. 2004 & 2005; Chair, KCBA CLE, Breaches in the Wall: Separation of Church and State in a Nation Under God, Nov. 2001; Founding Member, Washington Appellate Lawyers Ass'n, Feb. 2001; Arbitrator, Mandatory Arbitration Program, King County Superior Court, 2001 - present; Chair, KCBA CLE, The Supreme Court vs. The United States: Federalism or Anarchy? Nov. 2000; Judge, Environmental Law Appellate Advocacy Competition, University of Washington School of Law, Nov. 2000; Presenter, WSTLA CLE, “Petitions for Review: How to Get the Court Interested in Your Case”, April 2000; Presenter, KCBA CLE, “Insurance Coverage on Appeal from the Insured’s Perspective”, Nov. 1999; Presenter, KCBA CLE, “Sanctions on Appeal”, Oct. 1999; King County Bar Ass’n, CLE Committee Member, 1999 - 2001.
Here are some representative comments by lawyers on the evaluation forms from the first two legal history CLEs taught in December, 2008:
"Excellent - very interesting."
“Thank you for such an interesting, important, timely, relevant CLE. . . . You made me proud to be a lawyer."
“Great! Wonderful to get broad overview of historical documents. Schein is quite knowledgeable. Love his sense of humor.”
“I look forward to more of your CLE’s! Topic was very relevant and interesting.”
“Well-researched, well-written, really fascinating.”
“Well done, useful, informative.”
“Very good course. I have not enjoyed a class this much since law school 30+ years ago.”
Here's a sampling of what Michael's students had to say about his course in American Legal History:
"I feel like the class has been fantastic, and sparked my interest in history. It is incredible how often some of the issues from class surface every day in different conversations and contexts, from current court decisions to NPR to overheard conversations at work. . . Thanks & keep teaching this class."
"I just wanted to thank you and let you know how much I enjoyed and profited from your course in American Legal History. I thought that the materials you selected were excellent, and I learned a lot from your in-class remarks. . . . I don't see how a legal education could be complete without an understanding of the evolution of the law within the context of a larger social evolution."
"I enjoyed your class - I appreciate you making history interesting."
"[Schein] is great. I wish he would teach more classes." (Ed. note: Schein does not claim to be "great". Schein claims to be a pretty good teacher.)
"This was an excellent course!"
"I really appreciated his enthusiasm. This course added a lot to my understanding and enjoyment of the law."
"I have learned so much in this class! You have inspired me to learn more about history in general."
"Great class!"
"Professor Schein has a commanding grasp of the subject and is witty and engaging. This class is fun."