James Duggan Receives AALL’s Distinguished Service Award

James Duggan, Director of the Law Library and Associate Professor of Law, has been awarded the Marian Gould Gallagher Distinguished Service Award by the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Established in 1984, this is the Association’s highest honor, recognizing a career of sustained, exemplary service to law librarianship, the Association, and the profession.

“James Duggan’s contributions to legal education and law librarianship are truly extraordinary,” said Law Dean Marcilynn Burke. “His dedication to scholarship, service, and the development of future legal professionals has elevated the work of Tulanians as well as those in the national legal community.  We are incredibly proud that his lifelong commitment to excellence is being recognized.”

Duggan has long been a leader in the field, with a national reputation for advancing legal research and the role of law libraries in legal education. He served as AALL president from 2008–2009 and has held numerous leadership roles within the profession, including editor in chief of Law Library Journal and member of key national and regional boards.

The Gallagher Award is reserved for individuals whose contributions to the field and to AALL go well beyond expectation, whether through service, scholarship, advocacy, or mentorship. Recipients embody the Association’s core values, including community, collaboration, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Tulane Law is proud to celebrate this meaningful recognition of Professor Duggan’s dedication to the profession and his impact on generations of legal researchers, students, and colleagues.