Lori D. Johnson

How does your research and scholarship influence your teaching and service and vice versa?

I’m intentional about placing my scholarship at the intersection of skills and doctrine. As such, my work often focuses on how particular scholarly movements (rhetoric and narrative theory, for example) can improve the way we teach law students how to practice. I’m very proud that my scholarship about transactional legal skills instruction recently earned the University-wide Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. I’m looking forward to accepting that award at the UNLV Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony on April 29th. This year, I’ve also been honored to share my insights about teaching and research as one of the inaugural UNLV Teaching Academy Fellows. Working with the Provost’s Office and the Office of Faculty Affairs on this initiative across campus has been very rewarding. 

What's the most important thing you are working on right now?

I’m continuing to research and write an article about how transactional lawyers use technology in their practice. It’s been very interesting to dig into the challenges facing practitioners as they strive to maintain competence in a rapidly changing technological landscape. 

What is the most significant issue facing your field and how should it be addressed?

The biggest challenge facing today’s transactional lawyers is trying to keep pace with their clients when it comes to technology. Lawyers in most states have a duty to stay up to speed with regard to relevant technology. This requirement extends beyond technology relevant to legal practice, encompassing clients’ technologies, as well. Navigating these overlapping requirements can challenge even the most tech-savvy practitioners. I’m hoping my article will provide lawyers with some best practices as they work to use technology efficiently and effectively to represent their clients.