The Chapman University community suffered a major loss on June 28 when Fowler School of Law Professor Michael Lang passed away due to complications from a recent stroke. A faculty member since 2002, Professor Lang was the founding director of the law school’s Tax LL.M. program and taught such courses as Federal Income Taxation, Ethics in Tax Practice, and Corporate Taxation.

“Mike was the consummate colleague,” said Fowler School of Law Dean Matt Parlow. “Always friendly and engaging, Mike loved to talk to colleagues about the goings-on in their lives, the world, and at Chapman. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and students, and his passing is a tremendous loss for the Fowler School of Law and the legal academy.”

Prior to joining Chapman, Professor Lang taught at nine different law schools over the course of his career, including 19 years at the University of Maine School of Law, where he also served for a time as associate dean for academic affairs. Before entering the legal academy, Professor Lang practiced law at the global law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. He received his B.A. from Harvard University and his JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School,  where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.

A widely published legal scholar and noted authority on tax law, Professor Lang authored or co-authored several books and dozens of law review articles and other publications on various aspects of tax law.  His articles appeared in such journals as the Utah Law Review, Tax Law Review, Virginia Tax Law Review, and Florida Tax Law Review.  Professor Lang was also very involved in the legal profession through the American Bar Association’s Section on Taxation, including chairing its committees on Teaching Taxation, Standards of Tax Practice, and Tax Practice Management.  He was elected as a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and was a former chair of the Association of American Law School’s Section on Post-Graduate Legal Education.  Professor Lang spoke nationally on ethical, disciplinary, malpractice, and other issues affecting tax lawyers and other tax practitioners.

A virtual memorial service for Professor Lang, hosted by the Fowler School of Law, will be held via Zoom on Friday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. PDT. Those interested in attending can join the event at: https://chapman.zoom.us/j/98833138657