J. Kirkland Miller

Biography

Professor J.K. Miller serves on the faculty of Ave Maria School of Law, where he teaches and mentors students in litigation, advocacy, and legal skills development. Since joining the full-time faculty in 2008, Professor Miller has been recognized for his dedication to teaching, practical legal instruction, and commitment to student advocacy training.

Professor Miller earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law in 1993 and received his Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University in 1986. While in law school, he distinguished himself in moot court and oral advocacy, serving as Executive Director of the Moot Court Board and receiving numerous honors, including the Eve August Moot Court Award, the Ralph Rose and Samuel Helper Award in Oral Advocacy, the Moot Court Executive Board Award, and the Book Award in Estates and Future Interests.

Prior to entering academia full time, Professor Miller built a broad litigation practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of civil matters. His practice experience includes insurance defense, products liability, construction and real estate litigation, premises liability, governmental immunity, ERISA matters, workers’ compensation, and emergency medical services liability. He also served as a partner at a law firm that acted as Regional Counsel for American Medical Response.

Professor Miller’s extensive courtroom and litigation experience informs his teaching in advocacy, litigation strategy, and practical legal writing. Throughout his professional career, he has been a frequent presenter at legal symposia, workshops, and professional training programs, including presentations focused on oral advocacy, litigation skills, and legal education.

At Ave Maria School of Law, Professor Miller has received multiple teaching honors from students and advocacy organizations, including several Professor of the Year awards from both the Student Bar Association and the Moot Court Board. His longstanding commitment to advocacy education and student mentorship has made him an influential figure in the law school’s litigation and moot court programs.

Professor Miller is admitted to practice before the State Bar of Michigan and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. He is also a member of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity.

Education

• J.D., Michigan State University College of Law, 1993, cum laude
• B.A., Oakland University, 1986

Professional Experience

Professor J.K. Miller has extensive experience as both defense and plaintiff litigation counsel across a broad range of civil matters. His legal practice has included insurance defense, products liability, real estate and construction law, premises liability, first- and third-party no-fault litigation, governmental immunity, ERISA matters, workers’ compensation, and emergency medical services liability.

Professor Miller previously served as a partner at a law firm that acted as Regional Counsel for American Medical Response, where he handled litigation and legal matters involving emergency medical service providers.

Before joining the full-time faculty at Ave Maria School of Law in 2008, Professor Miller served as an Adjunct Professor at the law school. Throughout his legal and academic career, he has frequently presented at professional symposia, legal writing workshops, and advocacy training programs, with a particular focus on litigation skills and oral advocacy.

Honors & Professional Affiliations

• Member, State Bar of Michigan (1993–present)
• Admitted to Practice, United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
• Executive Director, Moot Court Board, Michigan State University College of Law
• Professor of the Year Award, Student Bar Association (2014–15)
• Professor of the Year Award, Student Bar Association (2013–14)
• Professor of the Year Award, Moot Court Board (2011–12)
• Professor of the Year Award, Moot Court Board (2009–10)
• Eve August Moot Court Award
• Ralph Rose and Samuel Helper Award in Oral Advocacy
• Moot Court Executive Board Award
• Book Award, Estates and Future Interests
• Member, Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity

Publications

• Speaker at 2014 Legal Writing Institute One-Day Workshop, University of Detroit Mercy Law School: “Where the Rubber Meets the Road – Teaching the Current Law Student.”
• Speaker at 2013 Legal Writing Institute One-Day Workshop, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law: “Teaching Litigation Skills.”
• Presenter, North Naples Rotary Club (2013).
• Presenter, Client Training and Development Workshops for Emergency Medical Service Providers (2000–2004).
• Guest Lecturer, Michigan State University College of Law: “Effective Oral Advocacy” (1998).