In Memoriam

Each, in his own way, profoundly influenced the character of the school and the generations of students who passed through its halls—whether through pioneering advocacy for society’s most vulnerable, steadfast commitment to constitutional rights and civil liberties, or inspiring teaching that brought the law’s philosophy and practice to life. Their scholarship, mentorship, and unwavering devotion to justice and education enriched the Wayne Law community and left an indelible mark on the legal profession.

Associate Professor David Moss, who joined the Wayne Law faculty in 1998, devoted his career to advancing disability rights and training generations of students in the values of advocacy, service, and compassion. As director of the Disability Law Clinic, he guided students through complex and consequential cases—from challenges to discriminatory standardized testing practices to securing access to medical devices and essential health care for vulnerable clients. He also served as director of clinical education, faculty advisor to the Free Legal Aid Clinic and the Student Trial Advocacy Program, and mentor to many who went on to establish innovative clinics of their own. Deeply respected for his generosity, wisdom, and unwavering sense of justice, Professor Moss embodied the best of clinical legal education. His work left an enduring mark not only on Wayne Law, but on the countless individuals and families whose lives were changed by his advocacy and his vision.

Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus Robert “Bob” Sedler, who joined Wayne Law in 1977, was a towering figure in constitutional law whose influence extended far beyond the classroom. Over nearly five decades, he became renowned for his sharp intellect, his passion for civil rights and civil liberties, and his extraordinary ability to inspire students through rigorous debate and practical insight. Prior to Wayne Law, he helped establish Ethiopia’s first law school, taught at the University of Kentucky, and twice argued—and won—cases before the United States Supreme Court. At Wayne State, he was recognized with the University’s highest honors, including induction into the Academy of Scholars and the Law School Wall of Fame. Beyond his scholarship, Professor Sedler was a mentor, colleague, and advocate whose warmth, humor, and wisdom shaped generations of lawyers and leaders. His voice, both in the classroom and in public discourse, leaves a lasting legacy of constitutional fidelity and human dignity.

Professor Vincent Wellman, who taught at Wayne Law from 1981 until his retirement in 2025, will be remembered as a gifted teacher, athoughtful scholar, and a deeply valued colleague. With a background in philosophy and a J.D. from Yale, Professor Wellman built a distinguished career in legal education focused on contracts, jurisprudence, and the philosophy of law. His teaching—marked by wit, imagination, and care for his students—earned him Wayne Law’s highest teaching honor, the Donald Gordon Teaching Award, in 2025. His scholarship explored questions of legal reasoning and the authority of law, as well as the complexities of drafting contracts under the UCC. Known for making abstract ideas concrete and challenging material approachable, he inspired countless students to think critically and practice with integrity. Through his scholarship, mentorship, and nearly 45 years of teaching, Professor Wellman leaves behind a legacy of intellectual rigor, generosity, and devotion to the art of law.