Jan. 21, 2003
Former INS Commissioner Joins Law School Faculty
GW Distinguished Alumni Award Winner James W. Ziglar
Returns to Teach at Alma Mater
By Matthew
Nehmer
Former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Commissioner James
W. Ziglar has joined the Law School faculty as a distinguished visiting
professor from practice. Ziglar, who served as INS commissioner until
Nov. 30, when he retired from federal service, also is a GW alumnus.
“We are thrilled and honored that Jim Ziglar has agreed to join
our faculty as a distinguished professor from practice,” says Michael
Young, dean of the school. “With his extensive experience in the
private sector and the example of his years of commitment to public
service, he is in a unique position to make a significant impact on
our academic community.”
Ziglar has served in the federal government for more than 15 years.
In addition to his position at the INS, he served as sergeant at arms
of the US Senate, as assistant secretary of water and science at the
Department of the Interior— where he oversaw the operations of
the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Mines, and the US Geological
Survey — and as a congressional and public affairs officer at the
Department of Justice.
Ziglar began his legal career in 1972 as a clerk for former US Supreme
Court Justice Harry Blackmun before joining law firms in New York and
Phoenix.
Ziglar is teaching classes in immigration policy and constitutional
law, as well as courses on natural resources law and policy. “GW
has long been a national and community leader in the areas of immigration
and environmental law and policy,” says Young. “Adding
the talents of someone of Jim Ziglar’s background and stature to
our existing strengths in these areas will enrich our programs and be
of enormous benefit to our students.”
In a letter to Young, Ziglar notes, “GW’s future as a center
of intellectual excellence and enlightenment is unlimited. I am
looking forward to participating in the continuing growth and development
of this remarkable institution of higher learning.”
Ziglar received both his undergraduate and law degrees from GW and is
a member of the New York, DC, Virginia, and Arizona bar associations.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
