Baylor University School of Law’s loss is the University of St. Thomas School of Law’s gain.

That was the common sentiment throughout the Baylor law community Friday, as law school professor Mark Osler revealed that he is leaving Baylor to teach at St. Thomas Law School in Minneapolis, Minn., in the fall.

Osler, a Yale Law School graduate who has taught at Baylor since 2000, is a former federal prosecutor and leading sentencing expert nationally.

A former federal prosecutor, Mark Osler won a case before the Supreme Court of the United States last year affecting federal crack cocaine sentencing guidelines.
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald, file

Last year, Osler won a landmark case before the Supreme Court of the United States, Spears v. United States, based solely on briefs submitted. The Spears ruling allows judges to categorically reject the 100:1 crack-to-powder ratio in federal sentencing guidelines for cocaine, signaling victory in a battle Osler waged for years.

Students praised Osler’s practical expertise in the classroom Friday and said Osler’s engaging personality will be missed.

“I love professor Osler . . . and I’m sad to see him go,” said Baylor Law School student Ed Cloutman, who has taken multiple classes taught by Osler. “In a selfish way, I’m glad I got to take his classes before he left because he is awesome. But it’s tough to see him go.

“He brings real-world experience in the field of criminal prosecution, which is a cool perspective,” Cloutman said.

“But he’s just a cool, real soulful, spiritual guy that you want to be around. He makes you feel like he means it and cares about you. I’m sure they’ll do a great job bringing somebody in who will do that type of thing, but I’ll always be biased and favor him.”

Osler said the mission of St. Thomas, a Catholic school, and its emphasis on social justice were very appealing to him.

He said he gave a lecture to the school’s faculty in January and was approached by a faculty member afterward who asked if Osler ever thought about leaving Baylor. Osler said he began thinking about the opportunity and ultimately decided the school was a great fit.

“There are things there that I’ll be able to do that I wasn’t able to do at Baylor. There’s also things, unfortunately, that I may not be able to do there that I was able to do at Baylor,” Osler said. “So, there’s always a trade-off.”

But, in the end, “having made the decision, I feel good about it, and that’s maybe the best determiner of all,” Osler said.

Time trade-off

The prosecutor-turned-professor said the fact that St. Thomas is on the semester system, versus Baylor Law School’s quarter system, will give him summers off from teaching and allow more time for practical work.

“Baylor is structured so we teach pretty much all year,” he said.

Baylor Law School dean Brad Toben wished Osler the best. Osler said he told Toben and others at the law school about the offer about two weeks ago and made the final decision Thursday.

“The mission of St. Thomas, a young school with a strong Catholic social justice mission, will be a fine venue in which professor Osler will be able to continue his teaching and scholarship in criminal law, including the public-policy issues involved in sentencing,” Toben said.

Some new faces

Toben took the opportunity to announce three new faculty members coming to Baylor Law School — Drake Law School professor of the year Luke Meier; University of Louisville School of Law tort and litigation specialist Jill Lens; and, most notably, incoming Baylor University President Ken Starr.

Toben said Starr’s specific role at the law school is yet to be determined. But Toben said he will keep an office in the faculty suites and offer seminars, “engaging our students with his expertise.”

Though Osler expressed excitement about turning the page in his legal and academic career, he said the move will be bittersweet after 10 years in Waco.

“It’s very hard,” Osler said. “One thing I appreciate so much is the support from the community. I love the people here . . . and I care so deeply about the community and those friends that it’s very hard to leave.”

twoods@wacotrib.com

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