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Professor Taught His Way Through Law College
The Michigan Alumnus 75
Professor Taught His Way Through Law College
Because keeping abreast of developments in his particular subject, corporation law, requires active practice in the field, LAY LIN K. JAMES, '18, J.D.'23, Pro fessor of Law, returns to New York City every other summer to resume the practice he left in 1926. This serves to acquaint him with the latest techniques in his chosen field.
Professor James likes to tell people that he was born in Siam—and then, when they look startled, adds: "Siam, Ohio, you know." July 2, 1893, is the date, but Michigan didn't see him until 1914, when he enrolled in the Literary College. He left in 1923 with an A.B. and a Juris Doctor's degree, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Order of the Coif, and the Law Review board.
During his Law School days, he was Instructor in Greek and Roman his tory, and from 1919-1921 taught history, economics, sociology, political science, and labor problems at Lewis Institute, Chicago. After three years of practice in New York City, he joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, returning to Michigan in 1929 as Professor of Law.
During the World War, he served as Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery. Pro fessor James is the author of two volumes on business associations and corporate reorganization, as well as articles in the Michigan Law Review and the Michigan Bar Jour nal. He helped draft the Michigan Corporation Act of 1931, and has served since on the Committee on Corporate Code and Securities of the Michigan Bar Association.
With these duties, and an active interest in the Community Fund, including past service as Chairman of the University Division and of the Men's Division, and present service as Director, and as governor of the University of Michigan Club of Ann Arbor, he finds time for coin collecting and bowling.