Following his graduation from Columbia Law School and a clerkship in the Southern District of New York, Victor Schwartz joined the University of Cincinnati College of Law as a professor in 1968. He quickly rose to prominence in the field of torts, coauthoring the leading casebook Prosser, Wade, and Schwartz on Torts. His influential work on comparative negligence helped pave the way for its widespread adoption across the United States, establishing him as one of the giants of tort law.

Victor served as Acting Dean of the College of Law in 1974 before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1977, where he led the development of the Uniform Products Liability Act at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He later joined the law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon in 2001, building a distinguished career in private practice and earning recognition as one of The National Law Journal’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America in 2013.

Throughout his extraordinary career, Victor remained deeply connected to our College. He established the Victor Schwartz Lecture on Torts and helped create the Victor E. Schwartz Chair in Tort Law. The beautiful open suite housing our Law Review is also named in his honor, recognizing his generous support of our building campaign.

UC College of Law Dean Haider Hamoudi reflected:

"Most importantly of all, to me, was the time he was willing to spend with me. I learned a great deal from him given his intimate familiarity with the strengths and challenges of legal academia, as well as the needs and expectations of employers of our graduates in both government and private practice. I know that Victor’s wise counsel and support helped make me a much better Dean, and I will miss our conversations terribly. My deepest condolences to his family at this time of great loss, and my deepest appreciation to Victor for all that he has done for our College."

To make a gift in Victor's memory in support of the Victor Schwartz Annual Lecture on Torts, please use the donation link below.

If you have questions about making a gift, please call 513-556-6781 or email us.