A Legacy of Leadership: Honoring Professor Catherine Hancock’s Impact at Tulane Law

For nearly five decades, Professor Catherine Hancock has been a fixture of Tulane Law School as a revered scholar, dedicated teacher, and inspiring mentor whose impact can be measured in the generations of students she has guided and empowered.

After nearly fifty years of calling herself a Tulanian, the Tulane Alumni Association made it official in April of this year, bestowing upon Hancock the title of Honorary Alumna. The recognition celebrated her unwavering dedication to the university and her profound impact on generations of Tulane Law students.

Chris Ralston (L’99), past president of the Tulane Alumni Association, called the honor well-deserved. “Professor Hancock has long been a gifted teacher and beloved member of the faculty,” he said. “I still remember taking her class at night during my 2L summer—I didn’t want to miss the chance to learn from her. It was a privilege to see her recognized for the impact she’s had on so many Tulane Law students.”

Hancock, who received her B.A. from Stanford University and her J.D. from the University of Chicago School of Law, joined the Tulane faculty in 1976, one of the few women law professors at the time. She quickly became known for her brilliance in the classroom and her deep commitment to justice. Over the years, she has taught thousands of students in courses such as Constitutional Law, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, Law & Gender, and Federal Courts. Her passion for mentorship has inspired countless graduates to pursue careers in public service, and she has been honored repeatedly by graduating classes for her impact.

In 2024, Tulane Law recognized her extraordinary legacy by inducting her into the Tulane Law Hall of Fame. At that event, it was announced that a scholarship had been created in her honor by alumnus Thomas Lane (L'91). A long-time supporter of Tulane Law, Lane called Hancock an "extraordinary person" and said he established the scholarship to celebrate her scholarship, intelligence, and charisma—qualities that defined her teaching and mentorship.  

"Professor Catherine Hancock has been a pillar of our academic community for decades. Her unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service has shaped generations of Tulane lawyers,” said Law Dean Marcilynn Burke. “Naming her an honorary alumna is a fitting tribute to her profound impact on Tulane Law and the legal profession at large."

Known for her warmth, generosity, and intellectual rigor, Hancock is widely recognized for her compassion and her ability to make students feel seen and supported, all while challenging them to engage deeply with complex legal doctrines. A prolific scholar, she has co-authored casebooks in each of her areas of expertise, and she exemplifies Tulane’s motto non sibi sed suis—not for one’s self, but for one’s own—through her decades of service, including representing a death row inmate before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990.

For 49 years and counting, Catherine Hancock has exemplified the best of Tulane Law: a brilliant scholar, a gifted teacher, and a tireless advocate for justice and education. Her legacy is not just in the books she’s written or the awards she’s received, but in the lives of the students she has inspired to pursue justice, serve their communities, and lead with purpose.