Robert William "Bill" Piatt

ph: (210) 436-3533
email: bpiatt@stmarytx.edu

Professor of Law
B.A., 1972, Eastern New Mexico University
J.D., 1975, University of New Mexico

Before St. Mary’s

In addition to working as a government attorney and in private practice, before becoming Dean of St. Mary's University School of Law in June, 1998, Piatt taught at:

• The University of Oklahoma
• Washburn University
• Southern Illinois University
• Texas Tech University

Highlights:

• Taught law in Mexico and Spain
• Received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Eastern New Mexico University (1997)
• Delivered an address to international educators at the opening session of the 50^th anniversary celebration of the People’s University Law School in Beijing, China (December 2000)

Publications

In addition to many articles, Piatt has published several books:

• "Black and Brown in America: The Case for Cooperation" (New York University) Press, 1997).  This book examines a multitude of issues central to the interaction between Blacks and Hispanics.  Former Mayor David Dinkins of New York wrote the Foreword.  The book has received favorable comment in articles that appeared in: the News & Record (Greensboro, N.C.); The Atlanta Journal & Constitution; The Austin American-Statesman; The Commercial Appeal (Memphis); The Sunday Gazette Mail (Charlotte, S.C.); the Wisconsin State Journal; and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  Publication of the book was noted in The Chronicle of Higher Education.  Dean Piatt has been interviewed on WBAI-FM, New York, on the national Talkback Radio Network, on the Texas State Radio network, by Telemundo (international Spanish language television network) and by numerous local television and radio stations nationwide.  The book has been cited in numerous law reviews and was named “Outstanding Book on the Subject of Human Rights in North America” in 1998 by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in North America.
• "Immigration Law: Cases and Materials"(The Michie Company, 1994).
• "Language on the Job: Balancing Business Needs and Employee Rights" (University of New Mexico Press, 1993).  Provides an analysis of the jurisprudence of language discrimination in the workplace.  Publication was noted in the Michigan Law Review and the book as reviewed in: the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Choice; and various law reviews.  Language on the Job was named “Outstanding Book on the Subject of Human Rights in North America” by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in North America in 1994.  It was also selected as an Outstanding Academic Book of the Year by Choice Magazine, 1994.
• "Only English?  Law and Language Policy in the United States."  (U.N.M. Press, Spring, 1990).  This book analyzes historical, legal, political, and philosophical interests at stake in the current language rights debate.  The book has been widely cited.