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The Virginia Legislature recently passed Senate Joint Resolution No. 80, recognizing the contributions of Professor Stuart S. Malawer upon his retirement from the Schar School of Policy and Government. With a career spanning 46 years at George Mason University (and a total of 55 years in academia), Malawer’s impact extends far beyond the classroom, as recognized by the lengthy Senate resolution.
As a distinguished faculty member, Malawer’s expertise in law and public policy has left an indelible mark. Notably, he served on various state boards and agencies, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Advisory Committee on International Trade, always with an intention of advancing Virginia’s interests. In fact, he served in various capacities for the commonwealth for six governors, beginning in 1990 with Governor Douglas Wilder (D). Most recently he was the principal investigator of a Department of Defense-funded study on cybersecurity export markets.
A Mason Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year awardee, Malawer said he considers his years at Mason “as public service of the highest order. My students over the years have been from all areas of the commonwealth and the world, and they have been simply outstanding. They have greatly enriched me and opened my eyes to many things globally.”
As the American editor of the China and WTO Review—an authoritative and leading legal journal—he played a pivotal role in shaping international trade law. He wrote eight books covering global trade law, national security law, and World Trade Organization litigation. Recently, his articles delved into U.S.-China trade disputes, cybersecurity, and Presidents Trump and Biden’s trade policies. His insights continue to inform policymakers and practitioners alike.
“I’m glad I had several gubernatorial appointments to state boards and agencies dealing with economic development and international trade,” he said. “I’m really happy to have been a delegate on Virginia governor trade missions to India, China, and Japan.
“I’m fortunate that my two kids, Hilary and Gregg, have also entered public service as attorneys with the federal government—in the Department of Justice and the Department of Education—and that my wife Sandy also had a gubernatorial appointment to serve on the Virginia Board of Counseling.”
In short, he said, “I wouldn’t have changed anything.”