Russ Miller to Headline Third Beyond the Page Event The J.B. Stombock Professor of Law will discuss his book, “An Introduction to German Law and Legal Culture.”

By Lily Caldwell
February 9, 2026

Russ Miller, J.B. Stombock Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University Law School, will discuss his book “An Introduction to German Law and Legal Culture”  as part of the Beyond the Page: Milestone Works by Faculty series at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Lemon Room located in Tucker Hall.

The series, open exclusively to the university community, celebrates significant scholarly and creative achievements by faculty members across disciplines. Miller will be introduced by Paul Youngman, dean of the College and the Harry E. and Mary Jayne W. Redenbaugh Professor of German. Miller’s lecture will be followed by a reception and book exhibit organized by the W&L University Store, and copies of his recent books will be available for purchase.

“I’m very honored to be able to contribute to the Beyond the Page series,” said Miller.  “I have been so happy here at W&L. It’s given me the chance to work alongside brilliant, creative and supportive colleagues, both in the law school and on the main campus. It’s given me the chance to engage with smart, fun and hard-working students_, including both law students and undergraduate students from the Law, Justice and Society Program and the German Department. I don’t take for granted that my curious, maybe even quirky, research interest in German law should be so warmly appreciated and supported in the American academic landscape.”

Published by Cambridge University Press, Miller’s book explores the German legal system through a critical and cultural approach, attempting to challenge and expand upon traditional comparative law classifications by acknowledging unexpected influences that shape German law. Miller recognizes the significant influence of the civil law tradition in the German legal system, but he considers the possible resonance of other legal traditions in Germany, such as common law, Socialist law and Islamic law.

“These are the surprising threads that are woven into the varied and colorful fabric of the German legal culture,” Miller said.

Miller’s works are enriched by an interdisciplinary approach and include multimedia content, such as art or poetry.

“The project seeks to move law and legal thinking away from narrower work focused on positive law (cases and statutes) by embracing the way culture helps give law its meaning for a society and can help us see the law in new ways,” Miller said.

Miller has been a member of the W&L faculty since 2008. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Washington State University, a Master of Arts and J.D. in English literature from Duke University and a LL.M. from the University of Frankfurt Law School. Miller is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the German Law Journal.