Community - Faculty - Tyler Valeska Profile
Assistant Professor Tyler Valeska works to create a welcoming environment for students. “I see a comfortable classroom dynamic as essential to successful learning,” he says.
Faculty Profile Tyler Valeska
Free speech scholar
Tyler Valeska teaches Constitutional law and First Amendment law
Tyler Valeska joined the School of Law as assistant professor of law in July 2024. He previously served as Thomas C. Grey Fellow, Lecturer in Law, at Stanford Law School, and as First Amendment Fellow at Cornell Law School. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Valeska has “deep connections to Chicago—my father grew up here and much of his family is still here.” Valeska discusses why he wanted to become a lawyer, his research projects, and his best advice for students.
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
Both of my parents were attorneys in state government, so I grew up in a lawyerly household. I’m told I was arguing before I could talk. But I came to academia late. I took a job after a judicial clerkship with the First Amendment Clinic hoping to transition into public interest litigation. But I found that I loved teaching and research more than practice so I decided to pursue a professorship.
Why did you choose to come to Loyola University Chicago School of Law?
I was drawn to Loyola for many reasons, including its mission-driven commitment to social justice, its warm community, and its reputation for scholarly excellence. Loyola has a long tradition of leadership in my scholarly field of free speech, dating at least as far back as the tenure of former professor and First Amendment hero George Anastaplo. It’s a real thrill to follow in footsteps like those.
“I encourage students to explore as many different legal areas as they can during school and early in their careers.” Tyler Valeska
What have been your favorite research projects, and why?
A paper I’m currently writing draws on data sets that I helped collect and manage during my time as a clinician via a large collaborative project. It was an enriching experience to work with clinics and advocacy organizations around the country to assemble that data, and it’s exciting to have the opportunity to put that data to scholarly use.
What can students expect from you as a professor?
I’ve been teaching law students for five years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I love being in the classroom and work to create an environment that students will find welcoming. I see a comfortable classroom dynamic as essential to successful learning.
What’s your favorite piece of advice to give to students?
I encourage students to explore as many different legal areas as they can during school and early in their careers. The law is capacious—find something you love! –Kristi Turnbaugh (July 2024)
Tyler Valeska joined the School of Law as assistant professor of law in July 2024. He previously served as Thomas C. Grey Fellow, Lecturer in Law, at Stanford Law School, and as First Amendment Fellow at Cornell Law School. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Valeska has “deep connections to Chicago—my father grew up here and much of his family is still here.” Valeska discusses why he wanted to become a lawyer, his research projects, and his best advice for students.
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
Both of my parents were attorneys in state government, so I grew up in a lawyerly household. I’m told I was arguing before I could talk. But I came to academia late. I took a job after a judicial clerkship with the First Amendment Clinic hoping to transition into public interest litigation. But I found that I loved teaching and research more than practice so I decided to pursue a professorship.
Why did you choose to come to Loyola University Chicago School of Law?
I was drawn to Loyola for many reasons, including its mission-driven commitment to social justice, its warm community, and its reputation for scholarly excellence. Loyola has a long tradition of leadership in my scholarly field of free speech, dating at least as far back as the tenure of former professor and First Amendment hero George Anastaplo. It’s a real thrill to follow in footsteps like those.
What have been your favorite research projects, and why?
A paper I’m currently writing draws on data sets that I helped collect and manage during my time as a clinician via a large collaborative project. It was an enriching experience to work with clinics and advocacy organizations around the country to assemble that data, and it’s exciting to have the opportunity to put that data to scholarly use.
What can students expect from you as a professor?
I’ve been teaching law students for five years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I love being in the classroom and work to create an environment that students will find welcoming. I see a comfortable classroom dynamic as essential to successful learning.
What’s your favorite piece of advice to give to students?
I encourage students to explore as many different legal areas as they can during school and early in their careers. The law is capacious—find something you love! –Kristi Turnbaugh (July 2024)