Legal Essays

Legal Essays in Tribute to Orrin Kip McMurray celebrates the remarkable legacy of a legal scholar, teacher, and dean whose influence on American jurisprudence resonates far beyond the lecture halls of the University of California. Orrin Kip McMurray, renowned for his expansive intellect, meticulous scholarship, and profound insight into the interplay between law and society, is honored in this collection for his unparalleled contributions to legal thought and education. The essays reflect McMurray's philosophy that law is not merely a mechanical system of rules but a living organism deeply intertwined with the complexities and conflicts of human life.

McMurray’s career as a lawyer, scholar, and teacher is a testament to his dynamic understanding of law’s role in a constantly evolving society. A proponent of legal education that blends historical context with contemporary relevance, he believed in equipping students with a foundation that transcends technical skill, fostering critical inquiry and an appreciation for law’s societal impact. This volume captures his enduring commitment to bridging theory and practice, his eloquent critiques of jurisprudence, and his unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. Above all, it pays homage to a man whose intellectual rigor and humane vision have left an indelible mark on his students, colleagues, and the legal profession at large.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1935.