The UHLC Academic Initiatives team has recently expanded. Professors Megan Davis and Laurel Simmons are excited to welcome Director of Academic Success Lisa Cohen and Professor Catherine Meshkin.
Lisa, a native Houstonian, graduated from UH with a BA in Political Science with a minor concentration in Psychology. She earned her JD from UHLC. Lisa has taught as an adjunct for our Legal Analysis & Writing course for several years. She also taught as a professor of practice for our Street Law Program. As Director of Academic Success, Lisa supports students in their law school journeys. She focuses on study skills, time management, and organizational skills workshops, as well as one-on-one student support and guidance. Lisa, in collaboration with our Academic Initiatives faculty and other UHLC leaders, also works to design and implement a comprehensive program to assist students with preparing for and passing the bar exam. Lisa is glad to be “home” at UHLC!
Professor Catherine Meshkin joined the UHLC Academic Initiatives team in December 2023. Professor Meshkin has been teaching various legal writing, research, and oral advocacy courses for the past fourteen years. She has also taught courses in contract drafting, negotiations, and appellate advocacy. In addition to her teaching, Professor Meshkin has also practiced, with a focus in corporate and employment law. Professor Meshkin attended the University of California, Los Angeles for her bachelor’s degree, majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Constitutional Studies. Professor Meshkin received her J.D. from George Mason University, Antonin Scalia School of Law. She recentlly relocated to Houston from southern California and is beyond excited to join the esteemed staff and faculty at UHLC.
Clinical Associate Professor Megan Davis and Clinical Assistant Professor Laurel Simmons are UHLC’s Academic Initiatives leaders and are each involved in national leadership as well. Professor Davis serves on the Executive Committee of the AALS Section of Academic Success Professionals and on the Association of Academic Support Educators Bar Advocacy Committee. Professor Simmons has served for several years on the Legal Writing Institute’s Global Lawyering Committee, including as both Co-Chair and Chair.
Professors Davis and Simmons each speak frequently at conferences, including at the Global Legal Skills Conference in Bari, Italy, where both spoke this past summer. In 2024, Professor Davis also spoke at The Association of American Law Schools Annual Meeting, The Lone Star Legal Writing Conference, The Rocky Mountain Legal Writing Conference. Professor Simmons also spoke at The Association of American Law Schools Annual Meeting, The Legal Writing Institute 2024 Biennial Conference, and AccessLex Institute's LexCon 2024.
