Wendy L. Tenzer

Biography

Professor Wendy L. Tenzer is an Assistant Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research at Ave Maria School of Law, where she teaches legal writing, legal analysis, and research skills to law students.

Professor Tenzer earned her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1982 after completing her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in French at New York University in 1979. She later earned a Master of Arts in Education from New York University in 2003, graduating summa cum laude from the master’s program.

Before joining Ave Maria School of Law, Professor Tenzer spent more than twenty years working in legal publishing and editorial management in New York City as a Senior Legal Editor and Publications Manager with Matthew Bender Publishing, a division of LexisNexis. Her work involved researching, revising, and preparing thousands of pages of legal manuscript for publication while supervising editorial projects involving numerous attorney-authors and legal scholars.

Professor Tenzer worked extensively with distinguished judges, attorneys, and law professors on major legal treatises and reference works involving criminal law, criminal procedure, federal practice and procedure, banking law, commercial law, and intellectual property. She also attended Advisory Rules Committee meetings concerning proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Procedure submitted to Congress.

Earlier in her career, Professor Tenzer handled a broad range of legal matters involving landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanor criminal cases, domestic matters, wills, and contracts. She also negotiated contracts relating to music rights and drafted agreements between artists and talent agencies.

In addition to her legal and publishing work, Professor Tenzer has taught writing and paralegal studies at the college level. Her scholarship and presentations have focused on legal writing pedagogy, professional development, and legal education.

At Ave Maria School of Law, Professor Tenzer brings extensive practical experience in legal drafting, editing, publication management, and legal instruction into the classroom, helping students develop the analytical and writing skills necessary for effective legal practice.

Education

• J.D., Syracuse University College of Law, 1982
• M.A., Education, New York University, 2003
• B.A., English with French Minor, New York University, 1979

Professional Experience

Professor Wendy L. Tenzer serves as an Assistant Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research at Ave Maria School of Law.

Before entering academia, Professor Tenzer spent more than twenty years in legal publishing and editorial management in New York City as a Senior Legal Editor and Publications Manager for Matthew Bender Publishing, a division of LexisNexis.

In that role, she negotiated publishing contracts with attorney-authors, researched and revised thousands of pages of legal manuscript, and supervised editorial work involving more than twenty-five attorney contributors. She also attended Advisory Rules Committee meetings concerning proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Procedure submitted to Congress.

Throughout her publishing career, Professor Tenzer worked directly with judges, attorneys, and law professors on major legal treatises and publications involving criminal law, criminal procedure, banking law, commercial law, intellectual property, and federal practice and procedure.

Earlier in her legal career, Professor Tenzer handled legal matters involving landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanor criminal cases, domestic matters, wills, and contracts. She also worked negotiating music rights agreements and drafting contracts between artists and talent agencies.

In addition to her legal and publishing experience, Professor Tenzer has taught writing and paralegal studies at the college level.

Honors & Professional Affiliations

• Admitted to the New York Bar
• Member, Law Review, Syracuse University College of Law
• Graduated summa cum laude, New York University Master’s Program
• Recipient, Certificate of Appreciation from the Law Review Editorial Board for Outstanding Contribution by a Faculty Member (2013–2014)

Courses Taught

• Legal Analysis
• Legal Writing
• Legal Research

Publications

Professor Tenzer has worked extensively on numerous nationally recognized legal treatises and publications, including:

• Criminal Defense Techniques
• Prosecution and Defense of Sex Crimes
• Business Crime
• Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques
• Federal Habeas Corpus Practice and Procedure
• Search and Seizure
• Understanding Criminal Law
• Understanding Criminal Procedure
• Gilson on Trademarks
• Moore’s Federal Practice (criminal volumes)
• Bender’s Federal Practice Forms
• Federal Jury Instructions
• Bank Holding Company Compliance Manual
• Asset-Based Financing
• Lender Liability Law and Litigation
• Letters of Credit
• Secured Transactions Under the U.C.C.

Presentations

• “Professionalism in the Workplace: How to Leverage Your Summer Job into Full-Time Employment,” Legal Writing Institute Workshop (December 2012) (co-presenter).
• “Warren the Whining 1L: An Introduction to Legal Analysis,” Legal Writing Institute Southeastern Regional Conference (April 2013) (co-presenter).
• “But My Undergraduate Professor Said I Was a Great Writer: Helping Students Make the Transition to Legal Writing,” Legal Writing Institute Biennial Conference (July 2014) (co-presenter).
• “Alternative Careers in the Law,” Panel Member (2010, 2011).