6
NEWS
SEPT. 12, 2003
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Phelan appointed committee chairwoman
By Andrew Bell/Staff Reporter
Marilyn Phelan, a Texas Tech law
professor, has recently been appointed
chairwoman of the International
Taxation Committee.
The committee is a section of the
American Bar Association that deals
with international law. Faculty and
administration at the law school were
happy to hear of Phelan's appointment.
"Having a distinguished faculty
who brings recognition to themselves
helps bring that recognition to Tech,"
Brian Shannon, assistant dean of academic affairs for the law school, said.
Phelan has had a distinguished
career at Tech. She has received three
of her four degrees at Tech.
For her undergraduate work,
Phelan graduated from the College
of Arts and Sciences with a political
science 'degree.
Her master's and doctorate were
both through the College of Business
Administration in accounting,
Phelan said.
'
She earned her law degree at the
University of Texas.
Shannon said the number of degrees she has was an accomplishment
in itself.
"It is very distinguished to be able
to say that you have a Ph.D. and a
law degree," Shannon said.
During her tenure, Phelan also
became board certified in tax law by
the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
The qualifications to being certi- '
fied required Phelan to practice five
years 6f law with half of that time into
her specialty, tax law. The final process is an extensive and comprehensive test, she said.
"The exam takes one and a half
to two days. The, test covers just the
area of specialty,'"
Phelan said.
When she returned to Tech,
she taught accounting until she
went to law
school.
Since
the
transfer, Phelan
has taught many
different courses
dealing with tax
law. She has even
found the time to
direct a tax clinic,
she said.
The tax clinic
it on as an overload to her schedule.
It has been a huge positive for the
community," he said.
In the mid-1980s, Phelan was general counsel for the univerSity. As
general counsel, she handled all legal issues involving Tech and the
Health Sciences
Center.
This
included legal
work for the
Board of .Regents, vice presidents and the
president.
Phelan said the
job was not always easy.
"The most
difficult aspect
of the job was
representing all
the, different
kinds of clients,"
she said.
She also has
worked with the
International
1auryers aren't told
about the taxes
involved with
international
transactions. There
can be tremendous
tax costs If the prO'"
cess iSn't structured
accordingly.
represents people
who otherwise
HEATHER DOUGHERTY/Staff Photographer
would not be able
TEXAS TECH LAW professor Marilyn Phelan sits at her desk. Phelan was recently appointed chairwoman
to pay for the serNational Con-to the International Taxation Committee.
vices.
ference of Com- MARILYN PHELAN
"Tech doesn't have a poor repumittees on Uni- ferent Texas governors; first by Gov. national transactions. There can be
Law student-s
Tech law professor
form
State Richards and then by Gov. Perry," tremendous tax costs if the process tation, but sometimes people don't
work on the cases
isn't structured accordingly," she said. know about the things going on
Laws.
Shannon said.
with Phelan as the
. To speed the process up, Phelan around campus. This is a huge opporHer most recent post came when
adviser and superThe confervisor. Currently, the clinic is work- ence requires that each state appoint she was appointed chairwoman of the said she will set up seminars, that will tunity to let people know we are out'
ing on 22 cases, Phelan. said.
delegates who review modellegisla- International Taxation Committee. include professors and other experts, here and doing good things," ShanThe clinic would not be available tion from the country: The appoint- Phelan said that the position will in- to inform lawyers of the different is- non said.
Phelan will be seen in November's
without the help of Phelan, Shannon ments come in terms and only from clude helping businesses that are in- sues involved with taw law. Shannon
said this will help people throughout issue of Texas Monthly. She was resaid.
the governor of the state, Shannon volved in the global market place.
"International lawyers aren't told the state see how Tech and the law cently named one of "Texas' Super
"When the clinic was reduced due said.
Lawyers."
to expenses, she volunteered to take
"Phelan was appointed by two dif- about the taxes involved with inter- school are growing.