Adams, James R.

English

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Masthead Logo McGeorge Law ReviewVolume 18 | Issue 1 Article 71-1-1986A Salute to Glen W. ShellhaasJames R. AdamsUniversity of the PacificFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/mlrPart of the Law CommonsThis Front Matter is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals and Law Reviews at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusionin McGeorge Law Review by an authorized editor of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact mgibney@pacific.edu.Recommended CitationJames R. Adams, A Salute to Glen W. Shellhaas, 18 Pac. L. J. v (1986).Available at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/mlr/vol18/iss1/7A Salute To Glen W. ShellhaasJames R. AdamstThe retirement of Glen W. Shellhaas ("Shell" to his friends) isof great significance to the McGeorge community. Those who hadhim as an instructor and role model are forever indebted to him.I first heard of Professor Shellhaas when I entered legal edu-cation in 1968; he was an admired professor at Texas Tech. Hehad a reputation as an expert in civil procedure and was great incommercial law, torts, and contracts. Quite an individual.When I signed on at McGeorge in 1975, Shell was in charge ofthe trial advocacy courses. Professor Groh (now a federal magis-trate in Wisconsin) and I taught in his day division classes. JudgeGrossfeld (now a practicing lawyer) and Captain Nancy Hunter(U.S. Army) were his assistants in the evening division. ProfessorShellhaas' trial advocacy program was outstanding; it earned thefirst American College of Trial Lawyers' "Emil Gumperts Award"for excellence. The plaque, dated August 6, 1976, is on display inthe lobby of the Courtroom of the Future. It is a well earnedtribute to Shell's effectiveness as a teacher and administrator.Glen W. Shellhaas graduated from Ohio State's Law School in1943. He went immediately into the Navy, serving as Captain ofP.T. Boat No. 116 in the South Pacific. It was a most interestingtour of duty. After his discharge in 1946, he went into the generalpractice of law in Bellefontaine, Ohio. One of his first assignmentswas to argue a case before the Ohio Supreme Court. He waselected District Attorney in 1947, serving one term. It was in thiscapacity that he argued (successfully) before the United States Su-preme Court. He returned to private practice with a firm thateventually became Smith, Shellhaas & Kerns. While a partner, hebecame an Adjunct Professor of law at Ohio State. It was in 1963that Glen went into teaching full time, starting at the Universityof Wyoming. Before coming here in 1973, he taught as a visitingt James R. Adams is a Professor of Law at McGeorge School of Law, Universityof the Pacific.professor at the University of North Carolina and was a tenuredprofessor on the faculty of Texas Tech's School of Law.It is apparent that Shell had an outstanding background to be-come a law professor. These are top credentials.Professor Shellhaas never lost his love for torts and civil pro-cedure, but his special training and extensive experience qualifiedhim above all others to teach the demanding course we call Rem-edies. What a deal; teaching a required, all-encompassing courseto senior law students is tough. But Shell did it in a very thoroughway. Whether the student got an "A" or his first "D" was ofcourse important to the student, but all must have sensed thatRemedies is law in action. All who had him are better for theexperience.Professor Shellhaas and his charming wife Elizabeth ("Bet") havefour children and four grandchildren. Their oldest daugher (nowBetsy Fallin) is married to a dentist. Their only son, Scott, is alawyer who first practiced in Reno, but now represents Amoco Oil.Both Betsy and Scott live in the Denver area. The next daughter(Sue Brent) and her husband (a golf instructor) teach in the publicschools of Austin, Texas. Lisa, the youngest daughter, was marriedlast summer to Dr. Detweiler, a dentist. They live in Lafayette,California. Its a great family and a source of real pride to bothBet and Shell.Professor Shellhaas holds a significant place in the history ofthe McGeorge School of Law. Without his years of dedicated serv-ice, this would be a lesser place. He will always be regarded asone of the great persons who have taught here. Thank's for every-thing, Glen. Have a happy retirement!

A Salute to Glen W. Shellhaas

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A Salute to Glen W. Shellhaas

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