Peter Schorsch
The late Florida State University law professor Dan Markel was passionate about legal scholarship, teaching, and mentoring the next generation.
Before his 2014 murder-for-hire, Markel published prolifically and joyfully brought people together for conversations about criminal justice theory and practice. He also mentored students and junior scholars and collaborated with them on projects.
Justice for Dan, Inc., a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing justice in his name and memorializing his life and scholarship, wants to help a new generation of students and legal scholars carry on Markel’s legacy. As Justice for Dan advocates for justice for Markel and his family in the ongoing legal proceedings, we also seek to support the next generation of lawyers and scholars who are thinking about the aims of the criminal justice system for future cases.
In this project, junior scholars and law students will submit original, unpublished papers on issues of criminal law theory, the subject of Markel’s scholarly work.
Markel’s work ranged from developing broad theories of punishment, such as a version of retributive justice, to exploring crosscutting issues across criminal law, such as the impact of family ties or the passage of time.
Successful submissions can be similar to either of these approaches but should not focus on more narrow issues. The best paper from law students and legal scholars-in-training will be awarded a modest stipend. Post-JD fellows and visiting assistant professors will be eligible, but those with a tenure-track position will not.
“We are excited by the possibility of inspiring the next generation to build upon the spirit of Dan’s work,” said Justice for Dan founder Jason Solomon. “And to encourage them to engage with mentors, seek critical feedback, and use it to improve their work, as Dan did for his own scholarship and that of others.”
Importantly, in applying for this “best paper” award, students and early-career scholars will commit to working with mentors to further strengthen and seek to publish the paper, either as sole author or with faculty co-authors.
The selection committee and Justice for Dan will also seek to provide opportunities for award winners to present their work. In this way, the award process will encourage and foster the kind of collaborative scholarly enterprise that was the hallmark of Markel’s work and a central part of his legacy.
In doing so, Justice for Dan seeks to build on the work of others who have continued Markel’s scholarly gatherings like “CrimFest” and the now-named “Markelloquium.”
“Mentorship was something that Danny invested significant thought and energy in, and in that spirit, students will not just conduct research on their own,” said Justice for Dan co-director Jared Ross. “They’ll have the opportunity to be mentored and learn the scholarly craft.”
“This student research will provide fresh thinking on issues in criminal law theory that Danny was passionate about, such as retributive justice and how crosscutting issues like family ties and the passage of time come into play in criminal cases,” said co-director Tamara Demko, “I can think of nothing more special to honor Danny’s academic legacy than encouraging passionate students to work with committed mentors – just as he would have done were he here.”
Legal scholars within Markel’s circles and beyond are invited to get involved. Those interested in serving on the selection committee and/or as a mentor, hosting presentations of final papers, or other types of involvement can submit their names here or here.
And those wishing to support Justice for Dan in funding this project can donate on Venmo @justicefordanm with the memo “best paper.”
“I’m grateful to Justice for Dan’s team for envisioning a project that both honors Danny and promises to enrich the lives of many young law scholars, something he cared so much about,” said Ruth Markel, Dan’s mother. “I’m excited for both the research and relationships that come out of this.”
