Catching up With Professor Allison Brownell Tirres

A legal scholar with expertise in constitutional law, property law, immigration, and civil rights, Professor Allison Brownell Tirres joined USF Law this fall from DePaul University College of Law. Her recent research focuses on noncitizen civil rights in both historical and contemporary perspectives.

We caught up with Professor Tirres about the advice she wishes she’d gotten in law school, the passions that keep her grounded outside the classroom, and why she’s excited to join USF Law.

What or who inspired you to pursue a career in law-and eventually, in higher ed?

My parents have always inspired me with their dedication to education, public service, and the common good. I was the first in my family to attend law school, thanks in large part to their encouragement.

Why did you choose to focus on legal history?

One the one hand, I have studied it out of sheer enjoyment: I love learning about the past and trying to make sense of different times and places. Working in historical archives is endlessly fascinating to me. I also focus on it for more practical reasons: knowing history is vital for making sense of our present moment and for pursuing the kind of change we want to see in the world.

What's one piece of advice you give your students that you wish someone had told you in law school?

Figure out what works for you in terms of studying and preparation, rather than worrying too much about what others are doing. There's no "one size fits all" plan for success or professional happiness. And stay curious - don't be afraid to ask questions and get to know your professors!

What drew you to USF?

I am thrilled to be joining the community at USF! I am drawn in particular to the school's long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, the social justice mission, and the wonderful faculty, staff and students here. I am excited to be part of an urban institution that embraces its mission and is dedicated to student success and the production of knowledge.

What's something your students or colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?

I was raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and can't escape being an Alabama football fan. Also, I've lived abroad in Japan, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

If you weren't a law professor, what would you be doing?

Art museum curator or national park ranger.

Favorite book (legal or otherwise)?

It's impossible for me to name one favorite book, but some more recent contenders would be Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, Hold Still by Sally Mann, My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem, and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. Books that were particularly influential on me as a student include Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee and Walker Evans, No Constitutional Right to be Ladies by Linda Kerber, The Alchemy of Race and Rights by Patricia Williams, and Impossible Subjects by Mae Ngai.

What's your go-to way to unwind after a long day of teaching or writing?

Cooking and chatting with my family, maybe with a glass of wine. Spending time outdoors, doing a yoga class, or playing with the dog.

What's a hobby or skill you've picked up recently?

I've been learning to wingfoil, an adventure sport that is kind of like windsurfing but with a hydrofoil, which helps to lift the board out of the water so you can glide above it.