Portrait of Lawrence Ponoroff (2012).
Melissa Haun. Arizona Law Deans Portrait Collection. Digitized by: Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona, Special Collections.
DEAN LAWRENCE PONOROFF: 2009-2012
Before Arizona Law
Lawrence Ponoroff was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles and Jean Ponoroff.[1] He attended Loyola University of Chicago where he was enrolled in the Honors Program and graduated summa cum laude in 1975 with his Bachelor of Arts degree.[2] Ponoroff attended Stanford Law School and earned his juris doctor in 1978.[3]
After law school, Ponoroff was hired as an associate by Holme, Roberts and Owen in Denver, Colorado. The firm is currently known as Bryan, Cave, Leighton, and Paisner. Ponoroff was promoted to partner in 1984. In 1986, he left the firm for an assistant professorship at the University of Toledo College of Law.[4]
He taught courses at the University of Toledo College of Law in agency/partnership, business law, bankruptcy reorganizations, debtor/creditor law, corporations, contracts, and secured transactions. Ponoroff was promoted to associate professor and served in that role from 1988-1990. He received the University Outstanding Teaching Award for the 1990-1991 school year. Ponoroff also received the Law School Outstanding Professor Award in Spring 1991. From 1990-1992, he served as a professor and associate dean for academic affairs and administration.[5]
In 1993, Ponoroff taught as a Visiting Professor at Wayne State University Law School.[6] Ponoroff served as a Reporter and Consultant from 1992-1994 to committees related to the administration of the bankruptcy system of the Judicial Conference of the United States.[7] From 1994-1995 he was a visiting professor at Tulane University Law School.[8] Ponoroff continued teaching as a full professor at the University of Toledo College of Law until 1995.[9]
Ponoroff was offered a professorship at Tulane Law School in 1995, which he accepted, and in which he remained until 1999.[10] In 1997, he was a visiting professor at the University of Michigan Law School. At Tulane, Ponoroff taught courses in bankruptcy, sales, secured transactions, commercial paper, contracts, and business organizations. He received the Felix Frankfurter Distinguished Teaching Award in 1997, and the Black Law Students Association Community Service Award in 1999.[11] Tulane Law School’s L. Hart Wright Teaching Excellence Award was bestowed upon Ponoroff in 1997. He was named the Mitchell Franklin Professor of Private and Commercial Law in 2000. From 1998-2001, Ponoroff served as the vice dean of Tulane Law School in addition to his role as professor.[12]
In 2001, Ponoroff was selected as the dean of Tulane Law School.[13] During this time, Ponoroff was also active in multiple professional organizations, including the American Law Institute, American College of Bankruptcy, American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Louisiana Bar Foundation.[14] Ponoroff was given the Leadership in Law Award from New Orleans City Business in 2006.[15] His deanship lasted eight years and ended in 2009.[16] After a distinguished 23-year career in academia, Ponoroff left Tulane Law to pursue a deanship at the University of Arizona College of Law.
Tenure as Dean
Lawrence Ponoroff (circa 2012).
Courtesy photo provided to the University of Arizona Daily Wildcat in 2012.
Ponoroff was appointed as Dean and Samuel M. Fegtly Chair in Commercial Law at Arizona Law in 2009.[17] During the economic recession Dean Ponoroff increased scholarships, faculty size, and programs, which were funded by private donations.[18] He regularly sent out e-mails titled, “News and Accomplishments” to faculty and staff that celebrated achievements.[19] Dean Ponoroff supported the University of Arizona land-grant mission and believed Arizona Law helped shape the American West by training generations of lawyers.[20] He received the Arizona State Bar Service Award in 2012.[21] Ponoroff served as dean for three years and cited personal reasons when he stepped down.[22]
Retirement and Beyond
Ponoroff remained in Tucson and teaching at Arizona Law until 2016.[23] He taught courses in payment systems, contracts, bankruptcy, and secured transactions. He received the John W. Strong Teaching Excellence Award in 2016.[24]
Following Arizona Law, Ponoroff served as Dean and Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Lawfrom 2016-2020.[25] He stayed at Michigan State after his deanship ended and taught courses until 2022.[26] Ponoroff returned to Tulane Law School in 2022, where he is professor and dean emeritus. He has also been teaching contracts courses at Wilmington University School of Law since 2023.[27] Ponoroff authored and co-authored numerous publications including seven books and over 36 essays and articles.[28]
Ponoroff has been married for over 40 years to his wife, Monica, and they have four children: Christopher, Laura, Devon, and Scott.[29]
-- Tanya Furlong (’26)
[1] Prabook.com, Lawrence Ponoroff: law educator, legal consultant; see also Chicago Trib., Charles Ponoroff Obituary, February 2022.
[2] Tulane Univ. Law School, Ponoroff CV 2024, at 12.
[3] Id.
[4] Id. at 2.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id. at 3.
[8] Id. at 1.
[9] Id. at 2.
[10] Id. at 1.
[11] Id. at 2.
[12] Id. at 1.
[13] Id.
[14] Id. at 13.
[15] Id. at 1.
[16] Id.
[17] Id. at 2.
[18] Aaron Mackey, New law dean to push for private support, Ariz. Daily Star, April 3, 2009, at A15.
[19] Personal Communication of Astrid Norvelle from Lawrence Ponoroff, News and Accomplishments Vol. 1, Issue 7, February 2011 (on file with Univ. of Ariz. Law Library, CRG Collections).
[20] Univ. of Ariz. News, What UA Deans Say About the Land-Grant Mission (on file with Univ. of Ariz. Law Library, CRG Collections).
[21] Tulane Univ. Law School, Ponoroff CV 2024, at 2.
[22] Brittny Mejia, College of Law dean resigns from position, plans to continue teaching, The Daily Wildcat, September 19, 2012.
[23] Tulane Univ. Law School, Ponoroff CV 2024, at 2.
[24] Id. at 2.
[25] Id. at 1.
[26] Id.
[27] Id.
[28] Tulane Univ. Law School, Lawrence Ponoroff.
[29] Aaron Mackey, New law dean to push for private support, Ariz. Daily Star, April 3, 2009, at A15. See also Jordan DeFrank, St. Charles Avenue’s Activists of the Year & Unsung Hero 2005 & 2006, New Orleans Magazine, November 10, 2006; see also Donnellan Family Funeral Services, Obituary Information for Jean Moses, October 12, 2017.