Chicago-Kent Law Professor Philip Hablutzel Passes Away at 90

Philip Hablutzel, a distinguished professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, passed away at the age of 90 on January 6, 2023. He died from complications related to progressive supranuclear palsy at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, according to his wife, Nancy Hablutzel. Philip Hablutzel’s career spanned 35 years at Chicago-Kent, where he specialized in complex subjects such as business law, financial securities law, and international finance.

During his tenure, Hablutzel was recognized as a leading professor in courses covering banking law, securities regulation, and commercial law. His contributions significantly transformed Chicago-Kent from a local institution to a nationally respected law school. “Phil arrived at Kent with a group of powerful intellects who really transformed that school,” said Lester Munson, a friend and law school classmate. “He quickly established himself as the school’s top professor in these challenging areas.”

Academic Journey and Contributions

Born in 1935 in Flagstaff, Arizona, Hablutzel moved with his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of seven. He later lived in San Jose, California, and Shreveport, Louisiana, where he attended Bird High School before transferring to Kemper Military School in Missouri. He initially pursued a career in physics, earning a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1956. However, his interests shifted toward philosophy and law, leading him to study at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and later earn a master’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago in 1961.

While researching his master’s thesis, Hablutzel encountered a legal issue that prompted his thesis adviser to suggest law school. He enrolled at the University of Chicago Law School and graduated in 1967. His classmates included notable figures such as future U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and future New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer.

After law school, Hablutzel worked for the American Bar Foundation in Chicago, where he served as deputy project director. He authored the “Model Residential Landlord-Tenant Code,” which was adopted by 21 states and various municipalities. In 1971, Hablutzel joined Chicago-Kent, just two years after the law school merged with the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In addition to his role at Chicago-Kent, he was the founding president of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology from its inception in 1979 until 1983. Hablutzel oversaw numerous accreditation processes for the school during his tenure.

Legacy and Influence

Hablutzel’s expertise extended into the realms of nonprofit law and international finance. He was instrumental in developing a graduate program in financial services law at Chicago-Kent, serving as its director from 1985 to 1996. He also sponsored an annual conference focused on nonprofit organizations, contributing significantly to the law school’s offerings.

“He was a major, major contributor to the law school’s development,” noted Martin H. Malin, a retired Chicago-Kent law professor. Hablutzel was known for his engaging teaching style that made complex legal concepts accessible. Munson remarked on his professionalism, noting that Hablutzel often wore three-piece suits, setting a standard for his peers.

His international work included serving as an exchange professor in countries such as China, Germany, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. In 1992, he received a Fulbright research grant and taught in Mainz, Germany, the following year.

Beyond academia, Hablutzel’s proficiency in nonprofit law led him to assist in advising clients at his wife’s law firm. He played a key role in rewriting Illinois’s not-for-profit corporation act between 1984 and 1987 and was involved in creating the state’s first limited liability companies law in 1992.

Throughout his life, Hablutzel authored several works, including a two-volume text on international banking law. He also enjoyed sailing, traveling, and photography, selling prints at local art fairs. After relocating to North Carolina in 2016, he contributed to the finance committee for the North Carolina Opera and took various courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute alongside his wife.

Philip Hablutzel is survived by his wife, Nancy; a daughter, Margo; a son, Robert; two granddaughters; and a sister, Caroline Anaya. His legacy as an educator and legal expert will continue to impact future generations of law students and professionals. A celebration of life service was held in North Carolina to honor his memory.