Herbert T. Krimmel

Professor of Law Emeritus

Professor Herbert Krimmel

B.S., summa cum laude, Accounting, 1971, J.D., 1974, and M.Acc., 1974, University of Southern California; Order of the Coif; Phi Beta Kappa; Member, California State Bar

As a graduate student, Herbert Krimmel undertook simultaneous degree programs in law and accounting, finding time to serve on the law review staff as well. He then began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Stanley Barnes of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A year later, he became an associate with the law firm of Latham & Watkins and, after two years of "fine tuning the distribution of wealth among the Fortune 500," he decided to return to academia.

In 1977, Professor Krimmel joined the faculty at Southwestern, and in 1998, he was named as the Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law in recognition of his outstanding teaching and contributions to the law school and the legal profession.

"For law students, the ability to maintain a calm mind in the midst of confusion is a very positive asset."

The author of several articles and chapters on bioethics, Professor Krimmel has testified before the California Senate Committee on Health and Human Services as well as the California Assembly Judiciary Committee on bioethical issues. He has presented his views at several legal and community forums and co-chaired a panel on legal aspects of scientific research methodology sponsored by the National Institute of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Office for Protection of Research Risks. His opinion on bioethical issues has also been sought by both print and broadcast media.

A major focus of Professor Krimmel's research and writing has been surrogate parenting. A former member of the Advisory Committee to the California Joint Legislative Committee on Surrogate Parenting, his articles and chapters on the subject have appeared in numerous law journals and scholarly anthologies, and have been cited in a number of court opinions.