FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Uché U. Ewelukwa Ofodile is the most recent E.J. Ball Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas. She was appointed by Dean Stacy Leeds on the recommendation of a committee composed of School of Law professors who hold named professorships.

"Uché's achievements in teaching, research and published scholarship are impressive," Leeds said. "She is often asked to participate in special projects with organizations such as the American Bar Association and the United Nations. Her work significantly enhances the reputation of Arkansas law abroad."

Ewelukwa Ofodile specializes in intellectual property law and international law including international trade and human rights. She is a prolific researcher and writer, and her active research results in invitations to speak at state, national and international seminars and conferences. In addition to her book chapters and articles appearing in the United States and around the word, she serves as editor of The International Legal Developments Year in Review, and she is writing a book.

The Ball Professorship is given to full professors based on outstanding achievement in teaching and scholarship. The recipients have been nationally and/or internationally recognized for an established record of legal scholarship, and their contributions have greatly enhanced the law school's academic programs.

E.J. Ball, a 1950 graduate of the School of Law, achieved extraordinary distinction both in and out of the legal profession and was a remarkable friend and supporter of the University of Arkansas.

Among his many achievements, Ball was the first counsel for the University of Arkansas men's athletics department, was appointed as a special justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court, created the nation's first commercial variable-annuity life insurance company and was chosen as Outstanding Lawyer in Arkansas. He served as chairman of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, was a longtime director of McIlroy Bank and served on the board of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association. He founded the Razorback Foundation, which honored him with a distinguished service award in 1992; was a founding member of the University of Arkansas National Development Council; founded the Law School Foundation; created the Wylie H. Davis Professorship and the Ethel Harper Phillips Scholarship Fund; and was founding chairman of the Chancellor's Society.

In addition to the professorship, the E.J. Ball Courtroom is also named in his honor. The courtroom was supported by the generosity of benefactors Jim Lindsey, Ken Mourton and Neal Pendergraft.

Ewelukwa Ofodile replaces Donald P. Judges, who held the professorship from 2005 through June 2017, before taking on the role of vice provost for distance education for the University of Arkansas.