Profile: Professor James Delaney

By Meagan K. Ciesla

Seattle native Professor James Delaney credits one of his own law professors, Gary Randall, for pointing him in the direction of tax law.  When earning his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in Washington, Randall noticed Delaney’s diligence and attention to detail, both essential qualities that make a successful tax lawyer.  Under Randall’s guidance, Delaney took to the study of tax law and after graduation, started his career in the tax department at Deloitte & Touche.  Following Deloitte & Touche, Delaney earned his LL.M. degree in Taxation from the University of Florida. 

After earning his Master’s, he moved to Washington D.C., where he served for two years as Attorney Advisor to the Honorable Robert Ruwe, Judge, United States Tax Court. During his time on the east coast, Delaney knew he wanted to teach, but felt that he needed more work experience to make him a successful candidate for a law professorship.  With a teaching career in mind, he took a position at Perkins Coie, LLP in his native city of Seattle, where he advised clients in corporate, partnership and personal U.S. federal tax law.  At Perkins Coie, a large regional law firm, Delaney was able to specialize in corporate, partnership and individual taxation making him a competitive candidate for a university faculty position.

In 2003, Delaney became an Assistant Professor of Law at UW and has had a great deal of success at the University.  Twice recognized by graduating classes as the outstanding faculty member, he believes that his real world experience has been beneficial to his students.  For Delaney, teaching classes at UW has been an ideal way to infuse his practical experience into the substance of law taught in his courses, and it shows.  In the recent past, some of Delaney's students have gone on to get a Masters in Taxation after their J.D., and a few have even gone on to Delaney’s alma mater, the University of Florida. 

When he’s not teaching at the University, Delaney keeps busy with speaking engagements around the state of Wyoming and nationally.  He has previously spoken to the American Bar Association, Wyoming Bar Association, Seattle Estate Planning Council, University of Montana Tax Institute and most recently, the Southeast Wyoming Estate Planning Council. 

Photo:  UW Photo Services