John Tyler, Jr., PhD

• JD in Law, SMU Law School (1978)
• PhD in Philosophy, Texas A&M University (2012)
• BA in Philosophy, Summa Cum Laude, Texas A&M University (1975)

• Jurisprudence and Philosophy of Law
• State and Federal Court Systems
• State and Federal Government
• Constitutional Law
• Great Trials

Dr. Tyler’s interests focus on the intersection of law and government with an emphasis on the United States Constitution. His teaching emphasizes the dynamic conflict between the political, moral, and historical dimensions of law that formed the Western legal tradition. This conflict continues to reshape Western jurisprudence today. Dr. Tyler is deeply involved with the pre-law program at HCU as well as HCU’s Center for Law and Liberty.

Dr. Tyler practiced commercial, civil rights, and toxic tort litigation in Texas for thirty-five years. Dr. Tyler’s clients included every major oil and chemical company in the world and many large financial institutions. He litigated complex commercial cases on three continents and was lead counsel in two cases before the United States Supreme Court. Dr. Tyler is one of a small number of lawyers holding board certifications in both Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Dr. Tyler’s clients also included twelve children born with anencephaly after their mothers were exposed to arsenic discharged from a nearby chemical plant. His recovery on their behalf set a national record. It also led to the formation of the Texas Birth Defects Registry. Dr. Tyler’s successful suit against a Houston abortion clinic for the wrongful death of a fifteen-year-old patient was featured on the ABC newsmagazine 20/20. Dr. Tyler is also the author of multiple award winning leading articles in law journals.

Dr. Tyler’s concern with developments in Constitutional law and American jurisprudence led him to pursue a PhD and become a professor with the goal of training the next generation of American leaders. Teaching is his highest professional priority, and Dr. Tyler received Texas A&M University’s highest teaching award before joining the faculty at HCU.

Board Certifications by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

• Civil Trial Law (1998)
• Personal Injury Trial Law (1999)