We note with respect the passing of J. David Ellwanger, who served as President of the Southwestern Legal Foundation, now known as The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), from 1988 to 2003.
Under David’s leadership, Southwestern Legal Foundation became The Center for American and International Law and built the education center in Plano that is now CAIL’s home. His tenure also was marked by the evolution of the Oil & Gas Education Center into our Institute for Energy Law; the commencement of teaching and conferences outside north Texas; and the start of our programs in capital trial advocacy began. Of special note, in the years after the Iron Curtain fell, Ellwanger was active in our collaboration with the American Bar Association and others to nurture independent judiciaries and legal professions in post-communist states embracing the rule of law. Since its founding in 1947, few have equaled Ellwanger’s impact in shaping The Center for American and International Law.
Our thoughts are with his family and those who knew him, as we remember his role in our organization's history and the impact he made to promote justice and the rule of law.
For more about J. David Ellwanger's life and contributions, please see his obituary in the Dallas Morning News: https://obits.dallasnews.com/us/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/name/j-ellwanger-obituary?id=54816530
