Leben, Marks and Thomas are all members of the American Law Institute (ALI), a prestigious nonprofit group of judges, lawyers and legal scholars.

“ALI is one of those rare settings where the very best legal minds in the country work together on something that really matters,” Leben said. “Membership connects you with the leading judges, scholars and practicing lawyers in the country. Having three UMKC Law faculty who are part of that network helps us stay current on emerging legal issues and gives our students access to a richer set of national contacts.”

Leben, a member since 2009, is currently working as part of two consultation groups to address questions around artificial intelligence and help create guidance for the legal system in this murky, new area. Marks, a member since 2011, serves on one of those groups, “Civil Liability for Artificial Intelligence," as well as three more focused on corporate governance, defamation and privacy torts, and the Uniform Commercial Code.

“As an academic, the work is engaging as it often overlaps with the areas I teach and write in,” Marks said. “For instance, I teach Business Organizations and the ALI is currently working on the Restatement of Corporate Governance. I also teach and write on the Uniform Commercial Code. Having been a part of the ALI gives me insights into the purpose and effect of the amendments, which I can pass on to our students.”

In addition to creating guidance for new areas of the law, ALI members study and improve understanding of the law in areas that have evolved over time.

Thomas, a member since 2010, served as one of 10 advisers to the Restatement of the Law for liability insurance which was approved and published in 2018. This Restatement of the Law is a 500-page publication which addresses the complex rules of insurance coverage litigation.

Thomas has taught courses on insurance law and developed the Master of Legal Studies program to provide legal training to non-lawyers. His work as a member of ALI has benefited his students, as he is one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in the country regarding liability insurance.

“I was honored to be invited to be an advisor to the ALI’s Restatement of the Law, Liability Insurance,” Thomas said. “In that role, I met with attorneys, lawyers and professors to discuss insurance law as it relates to liability insurance. These discussions were the starting point for some of my research, provided a foundation for presentations to practicing attorneys and enriched my teaching in the classroom. It was one of the richest intellectual experiences in my career.”

Through their work with the ALI, Leben, Marks and Thomas are helping shape how the law evolves while bringing those conversations into UMKC classrooms. Their scholarship and service ensure students learn from faculty who contribute to the national dialogue on the future of the legal profession.