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Peter T. Wendel

Professor of Law
Director Augsburg Exchange Program
Caruso School of Law

Biography

Professor Wendel was born and raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, and attended the University of Chicago, where he graduated in 1979 with a BS in Political Science. He earned a master's in Urban Affairs from St. Louis University, and then promptly returned to the University of Chicago where he received his JD in 1983.

Professor Wendel began his legal career in 1983 in St. Louis. After four years, he returned to the University of Chicago as a Bigelow Instructor and Lecturer in Law. He served for three years as an assistant professor at St. Louis University School of Law before joining the Pepperdine faculty in 1991. Professor Wendel has been a regular visitor at UCLA School of Law, Santa Clara University School of Law, Loyola University of Los Angeles School of Law, and the University of Augsberg, Germany, School of Law. In winter 2012 Professor Wendel received an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Augsburg. A member of the Illinois, Missouri, and American Bar Associations, Professor Wendel teaches primarily in the Property and Wills, and Trusts and Estates areas of law. The aspect of teaching that he enjoys the most is the constant intellectual challenge inherent in legal analysis.

Professor Wendel has published a number of books, including: Deconstructing Legal Analysis: A 1L Primer (Aspen); A Possessory Estates and Future Interests Primer (3rd ed. West); Emanuel's Wills, Trust and Estate (Aspen); and Exam-Pro Property (West). Professor Wendel recently completed his first casebook, with his esteemed colleague Professor Popovich, entitled California Wills and Trusts: Cases, Statutes, Problems & Materials (Carolina Academic Press 2017). In addition, three of Professor Wendel's more recent law review articles include: "Wills Act Compliance and the Harmless Error Approach: Flawed Narrative Equals Flawed Analysis?", 93 Oregon Law Review 337 (2017); "Shaping Society and Economy Through Law-Common Law vs. Civil Law: An 'Enlightening' Case Study," Augsburger Rechtsstudien (2012); and "Protecting Newly Discovered Antiquities: Thinking Outside the 'Fee Simple' Box," 76 Fordham Law Review 1015 (November 2007).

Education

  • J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1983, cum laude
  • M.A., St. Louis University, 1980
  • B.S., University of Chicago, 1979, cum laude

 

Articles

Books

Book Chapters

Presentations

Topics

  • Property
  • Wills and Trusts