The College of Law’s Professor Penny White has been selected as one of the University of Tennessee’s Chancellor’s Professors.
With her selection, White joins a group of the university’s most exceptional scholars. The designation is a lifetime honor that recognizes extraordinary scholarly achievement in an individual discipline or field as well as a record of excellence in teaching and service to the university.
“Penny White represents the best of the University of Tennessee and the College of Law,” Interim Dean Doug Blaze said. “She has a long and distinguished history of service and scholarship, is an incredible teacher and an even more incredible human being. We are so fortunate to have her.”
White is the Elvin E. Overton Distinguished Professor of Law and director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution in the College of Law.
Before beginning her career in academia, she practiced criminal defense, civil rights, and family law. She has successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and has served as a judge at every level of the state court system, including as a justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court.
White has received the university’s Jefferson Prize for excellence in research and creative activity and the Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award. She has also been recognized twice with the College of Law’s Harold Warner Teaching Award.
White has published articles on evidence, criminal procedure and judicial ethics, including an article in the Harvard Law Review. She has also authored a book on the defense of capital cases and co-authored a bench book for judges on capital trials. Members of the Knoxville Bar Association bestowed upon her their highest award, the Governors’ Award for “distinction and honor brought to the profession by enduring, faithful, and distinguished service.”