Philip Shuchman, Former Law Professor, Dies
Philip Shuchman, a former law professor at the University, died Nov. 28 at his home in Hollywood, Fla. He was 77.
Shuchman was a nationally known expert on the use of empirical research in legal studies.
“He was one of the early American exponents of the use of the empirical method in the law,” says Phillip Blumberg, dean and professor emeritus of law and business. “He played an important role in the strengthening at the School of Law of an appreciation of the intellectual dimensions of the law.”
A native of Philadelphia, Shuchman was a 1953 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and also earned his master’s degree in philosophy there.
After practicing privately, Shuchman taught at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. He taught at the UConn School of Law for 14 years, before joining Rutgers in 1981. He retired from Rutgers in 2000.
Shuchman co-authored two prominent casebooks and many professional articles and books. Following his service as deputy director of the U.S. Commission on the Bankruptcy Laws of the United States, he became noted for integrating research into the formation of laws governing personal and business bankruptcy. He was director of the Consumers League of New Jersey; co-chaired the Coalition to Save Bankruptcy for Consumers; and testified before the U.S. Congress.
He is survived by Hedvah, his wife; four children, Carol, Matthew, Miriam, and Salem; and seven grandchildren.
Contributions in his honor may be made to Hadassah and the Philip Shuchman Fund for Empirical Research at the Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, 123 Washington Street, Newark, N.J. 07102. The fund was established by family, friends, and former students when Shuchman retired.
