Julie Steiner

Education

B.A., Syracuse University
J.D., Boston University School of Law

Background

Professor Steiner teaches Cannabis Law and Policy, Torts, Environmental, Land Use, and Introduction to Law.  

Her current scholarly focus is on digital education, including the use of cutting edge tools to advance knowledge building. Professor Steiner has published in the areas of enforcement theory and policy reform. Her scholarship has appeared in numerous journals, including the Boston University Law Review, William and Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, Santa Clara Law Review, Marquette Law Review, and Environmental Law Reporter. 

You can read about Professor Steiner’s thought leadership as a member of the Digital Learning Advisory Panel here: https://www.aspenpublishing.com/resources/digital-learning-advisory-panel; and, in Cannabis Law and Policy here: https://businesswest.com/blog/wnes-julie-steiner-has-led-the-way-in-cannabis-law-education/

A passionate educator, Professor Steiner has been recognized for teaching excellence.  She is a six-time recipient of the Catherine J. Jones Professor of Year Award (2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2013, 2012). Prior to joining the faculty of Western New England University School of Law, Professor Steiner was a member of the full-time faculty at St. John’s University School of Law where she received the honor of Professor of the Year (2009) and the Dean’s Teaching Award (2008).

Recently, Professor Steiner teamed up with Professor Joseph W. Glannon of Suffolk Law School, author of the popular Glannon Guides and Examples and Explanations, and Professor Patrick Shin, Vice Dean at Suffolk Law School, to create PracticePerfect Torts. Produced by Aspen Publishing, PracticePerfect Torts breaks the subject down into its component parts, presents the doctrine through interactive animated video modules, and measures the students’ ability to apply the material and associate it with connected concepts through a variety of quiz questions with corresponding answers.

Professor Steiner is frequently cited in the media for her expertise in cannabis law, including in Forbes, New England Public Radio, MassLive, 22News, BusinessWest and the Cannabis Business Times. Professor Steiner has also lectured and been quoted extensively about environmental and tort law. 

Professor Steiner graduated as Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar and a Paul J. Liacos Scholar, cum laude, from Boston University School of Law. She was a Visiting Student of International and Comparative Law at Oxford University, St. Catherine’s College (Hilary Term, 1994). Upon graduation, she clerked for the Honorable Peter W. Kilborn of the Massachusetts Land Court.  She received her B.A., summa cum laude, in English and Political Science with Honors, from Syracuse University.

Prior to joining the legal academy, Steiner was a litigator with the New York firms of K&L Gates, LLP, and Dewey Ballantine, LLP, where she focused on environmental law and land use matters. Her pro bono practice included service as a Voluntary Appellate Defender in tandem with the New York Office of the Appellate Defender.

Julie Steiner's Google Scholar Profile

Download Vitae

Courses Taught

Adv. Environmental Law Seminar
Adv. Land Use & Environmental Law
Cannabis Law and Policy
Environmental Law: Pollution Control
Introduction to the Law
Land Use Planning
Sustainability Law
Torts
Toxic Torts

Scholarly Works

Books

Julie Steiner, Practice Perfect: Torts (2022) (co-authored with Joseph W. Glannon & Patrick Shin).

Journal Articles

Julie E. Steiner, Erasing Evidence of Historic Injustice: The Cannabis Criminal Records Expungement Paradox, 101 B.U. L. Rev. 1203 (2021). SSRN Digital Commons

Julie E. Steiner, Symposium: Environmental Accountability in an Age of Consequences: Foreword, 38 W. New Eng. L. Rev. 307 (2016). SSRN Digital Commons

Julie E. Steiner, Guardians of Municipal Public Trees: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tree Wardens' Authority and Accountability, 38 W. New Eng. L. Rev. 377 (2016). SSRN Digital Commons

Julie E. Steiner, Interim Payments and Economic Damages to Compensate Private-Party Victims of Hazardous Releases, 98 Marq. L. Rev. 1313 (2015). SSRN Digital Commons

Julie E. Steiner, Should "Substitute" Private Attorneys General Enforce Public Environmental Actions? Balancing the Costs and Benefits of the Contingency Fee Environmental Special Counsel Arrangement, 51 Santa Clara L. Rev. 853 (2011). SSRN Digital Commons

Julie E. Steiner, The Illegality of Contingency-Fee Arrangements When Prosecuting Public Natural Resource Damage Claims and the Need for Legislative Reform, 32 Wm. & Mary Envtl. L. & Pol'y Rev. 169 (2007). SSRN Digital Commons

Shorter Writings

Julie E. Steiner, Advancements in Cannabis Law and Criminal Record Relief: Recent Developments and Local Initiatives, Af-Am Point of View, June 1, 2024, at 23.

Julie E. Steiner, Developments in Massachusetts Cannabis Social Equity Legislation, Af-Am Point of View, July 1, 2022, at 23.

Julie E. Steiner, Massachusetts Cannabis Law and Policy: 2020 Year in Review, Af-Am Point of View, Feb. 1, 2021, at 23.

Julie E. Steiner, Massachusetts Cannabis Law and Policy: 2020 Year in Review, Af-Am Point of View, Feb. 1, 2021, at 23.

Julie E. Steiner, New Regulations from the Cannabis Control Commission, Af-Am Point of View, Feb. 1, 2020, at 23.