School of Law

Kenneth Winston Starr

Ken Starr has had a distinguished career in academia, the law and public service. Currently Of Counsel to The Lanier Law Firm, Ken served as president and chancellor of Baylor University and dean of the Pepperdine School of Law. He continues to write articles and books of interest and serves as a guest commentator for various news programs.

Ken has argued 36 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including during his service as U.S. Solicitor General. He served as United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, as Counselor and Chief of Staff to U.S. Attorney General William French Smith, and law clerk to both Chief Justice Warren E. Burger and to Fifth Circuit Judge David W. Dyer. He was appointed to serve as Independent Counsel for five investigations, including Whitewater, from 1994 to 1999.

For 25 years, he taught current constitutional issues as an adjunct or visiting professor at five law schools. Ken also was a partner at two national law firms, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, specializing in appellate law.

Ken serves on the boards of Advocates International and the Christian Legal Society. Throughout his professional career, he has championed the cause of religious liberty and freedom of conscience for all persons.

After graduating from San Antonio's Sam Houston High School, he earned his B.A. from George Washington University, an M.A. from Brown University, and a J.D. degree from Duke University Law School. He is admitted to practice in Texas, California, the District of Columbia, Virginia and the United States Supreme Court.

Ken is author of First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life; Bear Country: The Baylor Story; and his newest book, Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation. He has received numerous honors and awards, including three honorary doctorates. He and his wife Alice have been married since 1970 and live in Waco, Texas. They are blessed with three children and seven grandchildren.

Starr’s newest book, “Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation” is now available for pre-order on Amazon – and wherever books are sold. The audio version of the book will be available the week of September 10th. This latest book has recently been referred to by National Review’s Rich Lowry as “a firecracker of a book…candid, illuminating. Ken is additionally the author of more than 25 publications. His book, “First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life”, published in 2002, was praised by U.S. Circuit Judge David B. Sentelle as "eminently readable and informative...not just the best treatment to-date of the Court after (Chief Justice Earl) Warren, it is likely to have that distinction for a long, long time." His recently published book, Bear Country: The Baylor Story, has been praised by Ben Carson as “a candid and humble look at modern day politics in academia.” authoritative.”