PATRICIA HART NUNLEY - Baylor University

PATRICIA HART NUNLEY 

3209 Wood Lake Drive Baylor University 

Waco, Texas 76710 Dept. of Accounting & Business Law 

(254) 772-4414 One Bear Place #98002 

Waco, Texas 76798-8002 

patricia_nunley@baylor.edu 

(254) 710-6170 

CAREER SUMMARY 

After having served six years as a Lecturer of Business Law for the Hankamer School of 

Business at Baylor University from 1986 to 1992, I became an Assistant Professor of Business Law. 

In 1998, I received tenure and became an Associate Professor of Business Law. In addition to my 

teaching responsibilities in the undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs, I serve as 

coordinator of the business law section; develop, evaluate and revise the business law curriculum; 

make textbook and course material selections; assist with the hiring of business law professors; and 

serve as an author and consultant for South-Western Publishing Company. 

I practiced law with Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, P.C. for four years prior to my position 

at Baylor. My practice primarily involved areas of law relating to business, including corporations, 

partnerships, taxation, insurance, contracts, commercial transactions, government regulation, 

agency, secured transactions, banking, employment, bankruptcy, and wills and estates. In addition, 

I was actively involved in coordinating the business section of the law firm and was a member of 

the recruiting committee responsible for determining recruiting policies, interviewing prospective 

associates, and supervising law clerks. 

EDUCATIONAL DATA 

College: Baylor University, Waco, Texas: B.B.A. (1980) 

Graduate: Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas: J.D. (1982) 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Associate Professor of Business Law and Coordinator of Business Law Section of the 

Accounting and Business Law Department; Baylor University; Waco, Texas 

(1998 – present) 

Assistant Professor of Business Law and Coordinator of Business Law Section of the 

Accounting and Business Law Department; Baylor University; Waco, Texas 

(1992 - 1998)

Lecturer in Business Law and Coordinator of Business Law Section of the Accounting and 

Business Law Department; Baylor University; Waco, Texas (1986 - 1992) 

Attorney; Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee; Waco, Texas (1982 - 1986) 

Instructor of Legal Issues for Baylor University and Providence Health Center Physician 

Leadership Program (2000 – 2001) 

Instructor of Legal Issues for Baylor University and Institute for Public Funds National 

Certification Program for Public Pension Plan Administrators and Trustees (1999 – 2000) 

Instructor of Business Law for Comprehensive CPA Examination Review Course; 

Comprehensive Accounting Examination Review, Inc.; Waco, Texas (1991 - 1994) 

Instructor of Business Law CPA Examination Review Course; Waco, Texas 

(1988 - 1991) 

Law Clerk; Williams, Broughton, Forbis & McCoy; Childress, Texas (Summer, 1980) 

Instructor; Clarendon College; Clarendon, Texas (Summer, 1980) 

Graduate Assistant in Business Law; Baylor University; Waco, Texas (1979 - 1981) 

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE 

All Courts of the State of Texas (1982 - present) 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 

American Bar Association (1982 - present) 

Academy of Legal Studies in Business (1991 - present) 

Southern Academy of Legal Studies in Business (1992 - present) 

President (1997-1998) 

Vice President/Program Chairman (1996-1997) 

Secretary/Treasurer (1995-1996) 

State Bar of Texas (1982 - present) 

Texas Young Lawyers Association (1982 - 1995) 

Law Focused Education Committee (1984 - 1985) 

Marketing and Distribution of Public Service Project Committee 

(1985 - 1986) 

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Waco-McLennan County Bar Association (1982 - present) 

Board of Directors (1987 - 1988) 

Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers Association (1982 - 1995) 

PUBLICATIONS 

Board of Directors (1983 - 1990) 

President (1988 - 1989) 

President-Elect (1987 - 1988) 

Vice-President (1986 - 1987) 

Secretary (1985 - 1986) 

Treasurer (1984 - 1985) 

Committees: 

Liberty Bell Award 

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award 

Service to the Bar Project 

Service to the Public Project 

Social 

Bylaws 

“Analysis and Implications of the Judicial Interpretations of ‘Disability’ under the 

Americans with Disabilities Act: A Search for Objective Standards in Subjective 

Legislation,” Southern Law Journal, Fall 1999 

“A Current Analysis of the Premises Liability of a Property Owner for Third Party Criminal 

Acts in the State of Texas: An Accomplice to the Crime or Yet Another Victim,” Real 

Estate Law Journal, 1998 

"Navigating through the Complexities of the FMLA and the ADA in the Management of 

Employee Medical Leaves: Is There a 'Safe Harbor?'" Southern Law Journal, Fall 1997 

"Privacy Issues in the Workplace: Avoiding the ‘Penalty Box’ and the Employee ‘Power 

Play,’" Southern Law Journal, Fall 1996 

"Designing Pedagogical Techniques to Bridge the Gap Between Rules and Application: An 

Internship in the Classroom," Southern Law Journal, Fall 1994 

Study Guide to Accompany Business Law and the Regulation of Business, West Publishing 

Company (1993) 

Study Guide to Accompany Essentials of Business Law and the Legal Environment, West 

Publishing Company (1992) 

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PRESENTATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 

“The Perils of the Cat’s Paw Theory in Employment Discrimination Cases: Lessons from 

Staub v. Proctor Hospital” presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual 

Meeting (August 2012) 

Moderator for an International Law Session at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business 

Annual Meeting (August 2012) 

“Cat’s Paw Theory as a Basis for Liability in Employment Discrimination Cases: Lessons 

from Staub v. Proctor Hospital” presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in 

Business Annual Meeting (March 2012) 

“Coming to a Screen Near You: ‘The Legal Landscape of Social Media’” presented at the 

Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting (August 2011) 



“Call to Action: Employers Prepare for the Expanding Liability Threat of Employee 

Retaliation Claims” presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting 

(August 2010) 



“Expansion of the False Claims Act: From Shoddy Uniforms to Naval Destroyers, Who Has 

the Supreme Court Left Exposed?” presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in 


“Expansion of the False Claims Act: From Shoddy Uniforms to Naval Destroyers, Who 

Will the Supreme Court Leave Exposed?” presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in 

Business Annual Meeting (August 2008) 

Moderator for an Intellectual Property Law Session at the Academy of Legal Studies in 


“Should the Business Law Curriculum Accommodate Competing Students Interests?” 

presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting (Panel Discussion) 

(August 2005) 

“Protecting Your Most Valuable Assets: The Challenge of Enforcing Covenants Not to 

Compete in the Changing Workplace,” presented at the Oxford Round Table on 

“Employment Discrimination and the Law” at the University of Oxford, Oxford England 

(March 2004) 

“Protecting the Company Jewels: Further Challenges to Restrictive Employment Covenants 

in the Virtual Workplace,” presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual 


4

“At the Interface of Arbitration Agreements and Agency Authority: The Waffle House 

Decision Preserves the Remedial Powers of the EEOC,” presented at the Academy of Legal 

Studies In Business Annual Meeting (August 2002) 

“Employment Law Update,” presented to the alumni of the Baylor Executive MBA Program 

in Dallas (December 2001) 

“Protecting Your Most Valuable Assets: The Challenge of Enforcing Covenants Not to 

Compete in the Age of Information Technology,” presented at the Academy of Legal 

Studies in Business Annual Meeting (August 2001) 

“Disabling the ADA: The Impact of Sutton on the Identification and Protection of 

Individuals with Disabilities,” presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in 


“Current Legal Issues Challenging Public Pension Plan Governing Boards, Administrators 

and Trustees,” presented at the Office of the Fire Fighters’ Pension Commissioner TLFFRA 

Educational Conference (September 2000) 

“The Law, Practice and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Liability in the Twenty-first 

Century: An Employer’s Call to Action,” presented at the Southern Academy of Legal 

Studies in Business Annual Meeting (March 2000) 


and Trustees,” presented at the Baylor University and Institute for Public Funds National 

Certification Program for Public Pension Plan Administrators and Trustees (November 

1999) 

“Defending Claims of Supervisory Sexual Harassment: Strategies for Risk Management 

Pursuant to New Supreme Court Standards of Employer Vicarious Liability,” presented at 

the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting (August 1999) 

“Analysis and Implications of the Judicial Interpretations of ‘Disability’ under the 

Americans with Disabilities Act: A Search for Objective Standards in Subjective 

Legislation,” presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual 

Meeting (March 1999) 


and Trustees,” presented at the Baylor University and Institute for Public Funds National 

Certification Program for Public Pension Plan Administrators and Trustees (October 1998) 

“Discriminatory Practices in the Pre-Employment Process: An Empirical Investigation of 

Academia” presented at the Academy of Legal Studies In Business Annual Meeting (August 

1998) 

“A Current Analysis of the Premises Liability of a Property Owner for Third Party Criminal 

Acts in the State of Texas: An Accomplice to the Crime or Yet Another Victim,” presented 

at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting (March 1998) 

5

"Analysis and Implications of the Evolving Definition of Disability Under the Americans 

with Disabilities Act: A Term of Art," presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in 


"Navigating through the Complexities of the FMLA and the ADA in the Management of 

Employee Medical Leaves: Is There a 'Safe Harbor?'" presented at the Southern Academy 

of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting (March 1997) 

"Privacy Issues in the Workplace: Avoiding the 'Penalty Box' and the Employee 'Power 

Play,'" presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting 

(March 1996) 

Moderator for Labor and Employment Law Session at the Southern Academy of Legal 

Studies in Business Annual Meeting (March 1996) 

"Joint and Several Liability under CERCLA: An Analysis of Bell Petroleum and Its 

Probable Impact," presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual 

Meeting (March 1995) 

Moderator for a Teaching and University Environment Session at the Southern Academy of 

Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting (March 1995) 

"Further Piercing of the Corporate Shield: Emerging Trends in Liability for Corporate 

Environmental Activities," presented at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual 


Co-Moderator for an Employment Law Session at the Academy of Legal Studies in 


"Designing Pedagogical Techniques to Bridge the Gap Between Rules and Application: An 

Internship in the Classroom," presented at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in 


Moderator for a Business Organization Session at the Southern Academy of Legal Studies in 


"Combining A Career and Family: Strategies for Success," presented to participants in 

Business Excellence and Scholarship Team (BEST) Program for Hankamer School of 

Business (September 1993) 

Panel Discussion of Clinton Administration, presented to public and sponsored by Bureau of 

Business Research and Alpha Kappa Psi (February 1993) 

UNIVERSITY SERVICE 

Member, Baylor Faculty Development Committee (2012 – present) 

6

Chairperson, Business Law Curriculum Committee for the Accounting and Business Law 

Department (2010 – present) 

Member, Assessment Committee for the Accounting and Business Law Department (2010 – 

present) 

Member, Baylor Personnel Policy Committee (2009 – present) 

Member, Baylor Enrollment Management Committee (2009 – 2010) 

Member, Governance Committee for the Accounting and Business Law Department (2009 – 

present) 

Member, Baylor Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year Award Committee (2007 – 

2009) 

Member, Baylor Compensation, Benefits, and Personnel Committee (2006 – 2009) 

Member, Baylor Admissions Committee (2005 – 2009) 

Member, Search Committee for Vice President of Student of Student Life (2006) 

Member, Baylor Quality Service Team (2005 – 2006) 

Member, Baylor Quality Enhancement Plan Committee of SACS (2005 – 2006) 

Member, Faculty Senate (2005 – 2011) 

Executive Committee (2006-2007) 

Executive Committee (2009-2010) 

Sponsor, Alpha Kappa Psi (business fraternity) (2005 – present) 

Coordinator, Business Law Section of the Department of Accounting and Business Law, 

Hankamer School of Business, (1986 – present) 

Member, Baylor Facilities Use and Campus Solicitation Committee, (2003 – 2006) 

Member, Baylor Human Relations Council, (2000 – 2004) 

Member, Baylor Retirement Income and Group Health Insurance Plans Committee, (1999 – 

2006) 

Vice President, Beta Gamma Sigma, (1999 – 2000) 

Member, Hankamer School of Business Ben Williams Distinguished Speaker Series 

Committee (1998 – present) 

7

Member, Baylor Faculty Athletic Council (Chairperson, Commitment to Equity 

Subcommittee) (1996 - 2001) 

Member, Baylor Women's Athletic Cabinet (1990 - 2003) 

President (1996 - 1997) 

First Vice President (1995 - 1996) 

Pre-law Adviser (1997 – present) 

Member, Hankamer School of Business Strategic Development Council, Education Process 

Committee (1997 - 2003) 

Member, Baylor Self-Study Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics (Chairman, 

Commitment to Equity Subcommittee) (1994 - 1996) 

Member, Intellectual Contributions Committee for the Accounting and Business Law 

Department (1999 – 2006) 

Member, Scholarship Committee for the Accounting and Business Law Department (1998 – 

2006) 

Member, Awards Committee for the Accounting and Business Law Department 

(1992 - 2006) 

Faculty Sponsor, Phi Alpha Delta (Baylor Pre-Law Society) (1992 - 2004) 

Member, Curriculum Committee for the Accounting and Business Law Department 

(1993 - 2006) 

Member, Baylor Oral History Committee (1993 - 1996) 

Usher, Baylor University Commencement (1993, 1995 – 2005, 2008, 2009) 

Member, Learning Task Force for the Hankamer School of Business (1995 - 1996) 

Member and Faculty Sponsor, Business Excellence and Scholarship Team (BEST) Program 

for the Hankamer School of Business (1992 - 1994) 

Member, Baylor Search Committee for Women's Basketball Coach (1994) 

Member, Baylor Communications Media Committee (1992 - 1993) 

Member, Baylor Development Council (1985 - 1991) 

Member, Joint Economic Committee of Regional Studies Department (1990 - 1991) 

Faculty Sponsor, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (1987 - 1991) 

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

Member, Compassion Ministries Banquet Committee (2009 – 2010) 

Member, Columbus Avenue Baptist Church (1978 - present) 

Teacher and Pianist for Kindergarten Department (1991 - present) 

Advanced Commitment Committee (1992) 

Pianist for Adult III Department (1989 - 1991) 

Estate Planning Committee (1988) 

Member, Midway ISD Academic Strategic Planning Team (2000 – 2002) 

Board of Directors, Midway Intermediate School PTA (2000 – 2002) 

Legislative Affairs Chairperson (2000 – 2002) 

Board of Directors, South Bosque Elementary School PTA (1999 – 2000) 

Parent Education Chairperson (1999 – 2000) 

Board of Directors, Mountainview Elementary School PTA (1993 - 1998) 

Publicity Chairperson (1997 - 1998) 

Scholarship Chairperson (1996 - 1997) 

Treasurer (1995 - 1996) 

City Council PTA Representative (1994 - 1995) 

Vice President (1993 - 1994) 

Board of Directors, Waco Symphony Association (1998 – 2004) 

Executive Committee (2000 – 2002) 

Board of Directors, Waco Symphony Council (2000 – 2004) 

President Elect (2000 – 2001) 

President (2001 – 2002) 

Board of Directors, Friends of the Lyric Opera of Waco (1998 – 2004) 

Bylaws Chairperson (1998 – 2004) 

Nominating Chairperson (2002 – 2003) 

Board of Directors, McLennan County Learning Disabilities Association 

(1992 - 2002) 

Chairperson of Nominating Committee (2000 – 2001) 

President (1997 - 1998) 

President-Elect (1996 - 1997) 

Chairperson of Bylaws (1995 - 1996) 

Chairperson of Public Affairs (1992 - 1993) 

Strategic Planning Committee (1994 - 1995) 

Member, City of Waco Civil Service Commission (1992 - 1998) 

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Vice Chairperson (1992 - 1998) 

Advisory Board, Providence Health Center (1985 - 2005) 

Chairperson (2002) 

Vice Chairperson (2001) 

Chairperson (1989) 

Vice Chairperson (1988) 

Institutional Review Board, Providence Health Center (1987 - 2008) 

Strategic Planning Committee, Providence Health Center (1997 – 2001) 

Member, Junior League of Waco (1985 - present) 

Board of Directors (1987 - 1988, 1989 - 1992) 

Chairperson of Membership Development (1997 - 1998) 

Vice Chairperson of Membership Development (1996 - 1997) 

Chairperson of Project Development Committee (1993 - 1995) 

Chairperson of Community Research Committee (1991 - 1992) 

Chairperson of Public Affairs Committee (1988 - 1989) 

Member, Cotton Palace Production Committee (1993), Photography Committee (1995), 

Advertising and Reception Committees (1996), Advertising and Publicity Committees (Vice 

Chairperson) (1997), Publicity Committee (Chairperson) (1998), Hospitality Committee 

(2000), Advertising Committee (2001), Hospitality Committee (2002), Facilitation 

Committee (2005), Hospitality Committee (2008), Ladies Luncheon Committee (2010), 

Royal Reception Committee (2011), Gifts Committee (2012) 

Advisory Board, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Prenatal Care Study (1992 - 1995) 

Board of Directors, McLennan County Youth Collaboration (1989 - 1995) 

Chairperson (1989 - 1991) 

Co-Chairperson of Strategic Planning (1991 - 1992) 

Board of Directors, Mountainview Neighborhood Association (1993 - 1995) 

Advisory Board, Waco Independent School District Adopt-A-School (1992 - 1994) 

Member, Waco Leadership Issues Forum (1989 - 1992) 

Member, United Way Strategic Planning Committee (1991 - 1992) 

Member, District Attorney's Drug Advisory Board (1990) 

Member, City of Waco Planning Commission (1984 - 1990) 

Member, WISD Scholarship Fundraiser Executive Committee (1989) 

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HONORS 

Member, Hillcrest Hospital Women's and Children's Task Force (1988 - 1989) 

Advisory Board, Leadership Waco (1984 - 1989) 

Curriculum Committee (1984 - 1988) 

Finance Committee (1988 - 1989) 

Member, WISD Girls Count Program (1987 - 1988) 

Advisory Board, MBank Waco (1984 - 1987) 

Board of Directors, A Special Wish Foundation (1983 - 1987) 

Board of Directors, Waco Rape Crisis Center (1983 - 1987) 

Advisory Board, Young Life (1984 - 1987) 

Chairperson, Governor White's Juvenile Justice Education Project (1984 - 1986) 

Member, Baylor/Waco Foundation Fundraising Campaign (1984 - 1985) 

Member, Chamber of Commerce Membership Drive (1984 - 1985) 

Member, United Way Corporate Gifts Campaign (1984 - 1985) 

Chairperson of Publicity, Brazos River Festival (1984 - 1985) 

Board of Directors, March of Dimes (1982 - 1985) 

Chairperson of Mother's March (1982 - 1983) 

Chairperson of Volunteer Development (1983 - 1984) 

Distinguished Paper Award, Southern Academy of Legal Studies in Business (1999) 

Alpha Kappa Psi Professor of the Month (January and October 1997) 

Teaching Excellence Award, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University (1996) 

Outstanding Young Lawyer of Waco-McLennan County (1991) 

Who's Who in Texas 

Outstanding Young Women of America (1983) 

Notable Women of Texas 

March of Dimes Distinguished Volunteer Leadership Award (1983) 

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C.C. and Avis Broughton Endowed Scholarship, Baylor Law School (1981 - 1982) 

DATE INFORMATION COMPILED 

September 2012 

12

PATRICIA HART NUNLEY - Baylor University

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