Chad Marzen
Professor of Business Law
Chad Marzen is the William A. Donan Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Business Law at the Smeal College of Business. He grew up on a farm in north central Iowa and is a proud first-generation undergraduate as well as law school alumnus. He received a B.A. from Grinnell College in 2005 and a J.D. from Saint Louis University in 2008. He practiced in an insurance defense law firm in Omaha, Nebraska prior to serving twelve years on the faculty of the College of Business at Florida State University. He is a member of the state bar of Iowa. Professor Marzen is an author or co-author of approximately 76 published or forthcoming academic articles. His authored or co-authored articles have been published or are forthcoming in journals such as the Baylor Law Review, Oklahoma Law Review, Syracuse Law Review, San Diego Law Review, Saint Louis University Law Journal, Seton Hall Law Review, Oregon Law Review, Mississippi Law Journal, University of Louisville Law Review, West Virginia Law Review, Albany Law Review, Pace Law Review, Vermont Law Review, North Dakota Law Review, University of Dayton Law Review, Journal of Insurance Regulation, Georgetown Environmental Law Review, Harvard Journal on Racial & Ethnic Justice, New York University Journal of Law and Business, New York University Journal of Law & Liberty, Virginia Environmental Law Journal, Virginia Law & Business Review, Journal of College of University Law, Texas Hispanic Journal of Law & Policy, Boston University Public Interest Law Journal, Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law, North Carolina Journal of International Law, Fordham Environmental Law Review, William & Mary Environmental Law & Policy Review, and the William & Mary Business Law Review, among others. He has served as an expert witness on three crop insurance cases in federal court and has presented on federal crop insurance issues at the Boston College Law School, Creighton University School of Law, and the University of North Dakota School of Law. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association (2013), the Ralph G. Bunche Award from the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (2014), the Professional Scholarship Award from the American Agricultural Law Association (2019), the University Undergraduate Teaching Award from Florida State University (2020) and the Charles G. Hardwick Undergraduate Teaching Award from the Florida State University College of Business (2022). Marzen’s article on carbon monoxide and the pollution exclusion in insurance policies published in the North Dakota Law Review was cited by United States District Court Judge Sharon Gleason of the United States District Court for the District of Alaska in Estate of Wheeler v. Garrison Property and Casualty Company, Case No. 4:20-cv-00041-SLG, 2022 WL 1663418, Order on Cross-Motions for Declaratory Judgment (D. Alaska May 25, 2022). Marzen has been interviewed by media outlets as varied as the Washington Times, Associated Press, National Catholic Reporter, and Investopedia. Marzen also appears in the cast of the documentary film Hot Money (2021), directed by Susan Kucera, and thus has a documentary film credit along with Academy Award winning actor Jeff Bridges.
Education
JD in Law, Saint Louis University School of Law, Saint Louis, MO, 2008-01-01 BA in Political Science/History, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, 2005-01-01
Courses Taught
BLAW 341 – Business Law I
An introduction to the business environment emphasizing business contracts, liability issues arising from business relations, including those in the internet realm and intellectual property issues. Alternative dispute resolution and global perspectives will be integrated throughout. B LAW 341 Business Law I: Introduction to Contracts, Liability Issues, and Intellectual Property (3) Business decisions have legal consequences. Such decisions can represent both legal risks and opportunities. It is important for one entering business to have a fundamental understanding of the governing legal principles. This course will provide an introduction to the U.S. legal system, coverage of the major components of contract law, and an examination of business liability issues under tort law. In addition, the intellectual property issues of trade secrets, trademarks, patents, and copyrights will be covered. The impact of digital technology and business globalization will be integrated into each topic discussed. The course will be taught in a lecture-discussion format to encourage interaction and exploration of difficult issues. The course text and materials will include key business legal cases.
BLAW 428 – Insurance Law
An introduction to the legal environment of insurance with an emphasis on insurance contracts, insurance and liability, insurance bad faith, and insurance regulation. Insurance affects almost every business and consumer in the United States. This course provides an introduction of the legal environment of insurance and covers topics ranging from civil dispute resolution and insurance, insurance contracts, insurance and real property, insurance and liability, insurance bad faith and insurance fraud, and state and federal insurance programs.
BLAW 444 – Advanced Ucc
All articles of the Uniform Commercial Code, banking relationships, debtor- creditor law, and bankruptcy law. B LAW 444B LAW 444 Advanced UCC and Commercial Transactions (3) This course is designed to: (1) provide the student with a systematic study of the laws governing sales transactions, the instruments for financing those transactions and rights and liabilities of debtors and creditors (the Uniform Commercial Code governs these issues); (2) to explore current trends in the law affecting commercial transactions; (3) to develop further the student's legal reasoning processes; (4) to enhance the student's ability to identify legal issues from the business decision maker's and financial auditor's perspectives. Instructional methods will include lectures, readings, multimedia content, and class discussions. Student progress and mastery of the material will be evaluated through periodic examinations. Some state C.P.A. Boards require completion of this course as a prerequisite to obtaining certification as a public accountant. Completion of the course will be credited toward fulfillment of the requirements for the Legal Environment of Business Minor.
BLAW 497 – Special Topics
Formal courses given infrequently to exlore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Selected Publications
Marzen C., Woodyard W. "Pope Francis: The Progressive Pope of American Jurisprudence" Albany Law Review, vol. 70, 2026-06-01
Marzen C. "The Potential for Bipartisanship in Agricultural Policy During the Second Trump Presidential Era" University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy, 2026-04-01
Conklin M., Marzen C. "Athletes v. Supplement Companies: Contaminated Supplements, Strict Liability, and Remedies for Failed Drug Tests" Seton Hall Law Review, vol. 57, 2026-03-01
Cole C., Fier S., Marzen C. "Artificial Intelligence and Insurance Regulation" Journal of Insurance Regulation, vol. 45, 2026-01-01
Marzen C. "Bidenomics: An Analysis" Dickinson Law Review, vol. 130, 2026-01-01
Marzen C., Woodyard W. "Papal Jurisprudence" Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law, vol. 16, 2026-01-01
Marzen C., Rockwell C. "The Affluenza Defense and Criminal Law" Syracuse Law Review, vol. 76, 2026-01-01
Marzen C. "Probate and Crop Insurance" Washburn Law Journal, 2025-08-01
Marzen C. "Agriculture and Family Farms: Intestate Succession and Allegations of Fraud in Transfers" Florida A & M University Law Review, vol. 19, 2025-01-01
Marzen C., Conklin M. "Baseball and Age Discrimination: Experience Matters" Oklahoma Law Review, vol. 77, 2025-01-01
Marzen C., Conklin M. "Solar Eclipses and the Law" SMU Science & Technology Law Review, vol. 27, 2025-01-01
Marzen C. "Insurance Law and Religious Belief" The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review (University of Missouri School of Law), vol. 8, 2024-01-01
Marzen C., Rockwell C. "Justice on the High Seas: Nonpecuniary Damages and the Death on the High Seas Act" William & Mary Business Law Review, vol. 16, 2024-01-01
Marzen C. "The Conservative Case Against Legacy Preferences in College and University Admissions" Syracuse Law Review, vol. 73, 2024-01-01
Conklin M., Marzen C. "Viewing the Package Half Full: The Case for Federal Legislation to Reduce Environmental Harm from Shrinkflation and Slack-Fill Packaging" Georgetown Environmental Law Review, vol. 36, 2024-01-01
Marzen C., Goeringer P. "Federal Crop Insurance and the False Claims Act" Southern Ag Today, 2023-12-29
Marzen C. "Moon v. Schultz - Damages in Tree Fall Cases" Southern Ag Today, 2023-06-16
Marzen C. "Hydroponic Agriculture and Insurance Coverage" Southern Ag Today, 2023-01-06
Marzen C. "A Bibliography of Key Final Agency Determinations of the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency" Texas A & M Journal of Property Law, vol. 9, 2023-01-01
Marzen C., Conklin M. "Information Leaking and the United States Supreme Court" Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law, vol. 37, 2023-01-01
Cole C. R., Marzen C. "Nuclear Verdicts, Tort Liability, and Legislative Responses" Journal of Insurance Regulation, 2023-01-01
Marzen C. "The Gospels and American Jurisprudence" University of Memphis Law Review, vol. 53, 2023-01-01
Bagby J., Aalberts R., Marzen C. "Medical Martial Law: Toward a More Effective Pandemic Policy" Southern Illinois University Law Journal, vol. 47, 2022-01-01
Marzen C. "The Actions of Crop Insurance Bad Faith" The Business, Entrepreneurship and Tax Law Review (University of Missouri School of Law), 2022-01-01
Marzen C. "The Biden Presidential Era: Ten Potential Areas of Bipartisan Cooperation in Agricultural Policy" University of St. Thomas Journal of Law & Public Policy, vol. 16, 2022-01-01
Marzen C. "Coronavirus Liability: Lessons from H1N1, Ebola and Zika Crises" Wayne Law Review (Wayne State University Law School), vol. 67, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution: A Brief Proposal for Future Pandemics" Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law, vol. 21, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "Humble Conservatism: Stewardship, the Rule of Law, and a Consistent Life Ethic"" Quinnipiac Law Review, vol. 39, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "In Defense of the Iowa Caucuses" Creighton Law Review, vol. 54, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "Principled Conservatism: The CARES Act and the Lone Voice" Virginia Law and Business Review, vol. 15, 2021-01-01
Marzen C., Conklin M. "Stagflation in American Jurisprudence" Pace Law Review, vol. 42, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "The Extraordinary Force of Nature Defense as a Defense to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Liability" New York University Journal of Law and Liberty, vol. 14, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "The Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act" Widener Law Review, vol. 27, 2021-01-01
Marzen C. "A Constitutional Right to Public Information" Boston University Public Interest Law Journal, vol. 29, 2020-01-01
Marzen C. "Balochistan, Self-Determination, and U.S. Foreign Policy" North Carolina Journal of International Law, vol. 45, 2020-01-01
Marzen C., Conklin M. "Coronavirus "Cures" and the Courts" William & Mary Business Law Review, vol. 12, 2020-01-01
Marzen C. "Disqualifications in Horse Racing" Oregon Law Review, vol. 98, 2020-01-01
Marzen C. "Purchase Options in Agricultural Farmland Leases" Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, vol. 25, 2020-01-01
Marzen C. "Beyond the Classroom and Casebook: The Three Things Every Young Insurance Defense Litigator Should Know" Mississippi Law Journal, vol. 88, 2019-01-01
Marzen C. "Statutes of Limitations and Crop Insurance" Syracuse Law Review, vol. 69, 2019-01-01
Marzen C. "The 2018 Farm Bill: Legislative Compromise in the Trump Era" Fordham Environmental Law Review, vol. 30, 2019-01-01
Marzen C. "Agriculture and Res Ipsa Loquitur" Oklahoma Law Review, vol. 70, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "An Analysis of Home Warranty Contracts" Albany Law Review, vol. 81, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "An Analysis of United States Federal District Court Admission Requirements" Vermont Law Review, vol. 42, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "Home Warranty Regulation Through the Lens of Florida's Home Warranty Statute: Claims, Issues and Remedies" Legal Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Contractors, vol. 34, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "Inclusivity with Reciprocity: Permitting Law Teachers Outside of ABA-Accredited Law Schools Bar Admission Through Admission on Motion Rules" University of Dayton Law Review, vol. 43, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "Public Records Denials" New York University Journal of Law & Liberty, vol. 11, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "The Application of International Law in State Courts: The Case of Florida" University of Toledo Law Review, vol. 49, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "The Pollution Exclusion and Carbon Monoxide" North Dakota Law Review, vol. 93, 2018-01-01
Marzen C. "Home Warranty Regulation Through the Lens of Florida's Home Warranty Statute: Claims, Issues and Remedies" University of Louisville Law Review, vol. 55, 2017-01-01
Marzen C. "Insurance Coverage and Custom Farming" Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture and Natural Resources Law, vol. 9, 2017-01-01
Marzen C., Prum D., Aalberts R. "The New Sharing Economy: The Role of Property, Tort and Contract Law for Managing the Airbnb Model" New York University Journal of Law and Business, vol. 13, 2017-01-01
Bisco J., Marzen C. "Banking Without Guarantees? Public Policy Considerations Concerning Insurance Company Retained Asset Accounts" University of Baltimore Law Review, vol. 46, 2016-01-01
Marzen C. "Bankruptcy and Federal Crop Insurance" Virginia Environmental Law Journal, vol. 34, 2016-01-01
Marzen C., Woodyard W. "Catholic Social Teaching, the Right to Immigrate, and the Right to Regulate Borders: A Proposed Solution for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Based Upon Catholic Social Principles" San Diego Law Review, vol. 53, 2016-01-01
Marzen C., Ballard G. "Climate Change and Federal Crop Insurance" Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, vol. 43, 2016-01-01
Wells B., Marzen C. "Getting SLAPPed: A Small Business Risk in the 21st Century" Small Business Institute Journal, vol. 12, 2016-01-01
Marzen C. "Public Policy Considerations Concerning Forum Selection Clauses in Insurance Contracts" Saint Louis University Law Journal, vol. 61, 2016-01-01
Aalberts R., Marzen C., Prum D. "Studying is Dangerous? Possible Federal Remedies for Study Abroad Liability" Journal of College and University Law, vol. 41, 2015-01-01
Marzen C. "The Personal Liability of Insurance Claims Adjusters for Insurance Bad Faith" West Virginia Law Review, vol. 118, 2015-01-01
Marzen C. "Law, Popular Legal Culture, and the Case of Kansas, 1854-1856" Wyoming Law Review, vol. 14, 2014-01-01
Marzen C. "Public Policy Considerations Concerning Insurance Bad Faith and Residual Market Mechanisms" Baylor Law Review, vol. 66, 2014-01-01
Prum D., Marzen C. "Set Up for Abduction and Extortion by the IRS: Does the Reporting of Interest Paid on U.S. Bank Deposits Undermine the Government's Obligation to Avoid Instigating Terrorism by Foreign Crimin" Texas Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy, vol. 20, 2014-01-01
Cole C., Marzen C. "A Review of State Sovereign Immunity Statutes and the Management of Liability Risks by States" Journal of Insurance Regulation, vol. 32, 2013-01-01
Marzen C. "Crop Insurance Bad Faith: Protection for America's Farmers" Creighton Law Review, vol. 46, 2013-01-01
Marzen C. "Crop Insurance Fraud and Misrepresentations: Contemporary Issues and Possible Remedies" William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, vol. 37, 2013-01-01
Marzen C. "Hispanics in the Heartland: The Fremont, Nebraska Immigration Ordinance and the Future of Latino Civil Rights" Harvard Journal on Racial and Ethnic Justice, vol. 29, 2013-01-01
Marzen C. "The Merrill Doctrine and Federally Reinsured Crop Insurers" North Dakota Law Review, vol. 89, 2013-01-01
Marzen C. "Can (and Should) an Insurance Defense Attorney Be Held Liable for Insurance Bad Faith?" Virginia Law and Business Review, vol. 7, 2012-01-01
Woodyard W., Marzen C. "Is Greed Good? A Catholic Perspective on Modern Usury" Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law, vol. 27, 2012-01-01
Marzen C. "Nebraska: Nebraska Appeals Court Denies Recovery of Attorney's Fees in Case Involving Adjustment of Liability Priorities Between Two Insurers" American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Insurance Regulation Committee Newsletter, vol. Summer 2012, 2012-01-01
Marzen C. "The Legacy of Rux v. Republic of Sudan and the Future of the Judicial War on Terror" Cardozo Public Law, Policy and Ethics Journal, vol. 10, 2012-01-01
Marzen C. "OCIPs in the Future of the Insurance Industry: Legal and Regulatory Considerations" University of Miami Business Law Review, vol. 20, 2011-12-01
Marzen C. "Protecting Statements in Catholic Tribunal Proceedings Under the Priest-Penitent Privilege: Cimijotti v. Paulsen Considered" University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, vol. 88, 2011-08-01
Marzen C. "Owner-Controlled Insurance Programs: Considerations for the Nebraska Defense Lawyer" Nebraska Defense Counsel Newsletter, vol. 3, 2011-04-01
Marzen C. "Religion and the Alien Tort Statute" Creighton International and Comparative Law Journal, vol. 1, 2011-04-01
Marzen C. "The Wrap Up of Wrap Ups? Owner Controlled Insurance Programs and the Exclusive Remedy Defense" Drake Law Review, vol. 59, 2011-04-01
Marzen C. "Vacating Default Judgments for Failure to Timely File an Answer: A Nebraska Caselaw Analysis" The Nebraska Lawyer (Nebraska State Bar Association), vol. July - August, 2011-01-01
Marzen C. "Charles Sumner: History's Misunderstood Idealist" Oklahoma City University Law Review, vol. 35, 2010-01-01
Marzen C. "The Furundzija Judgment and Its Continued Vitality in International Law" Creighton Law Review, vol. 43, 2010-01-01
Marzen C., Jensen-Blackford A. "Wyeth v Levine: The U.S. Supreme Court's New Approach to Preemption - Is Parochialism to Prevail?" Nebraska Defense Counsel Newsletter, 2009-05-01
Marzen C. "Introductory Note to "El-Shifa Pharmaceuticals Company v. United States"" International Legal Materials (American Society of International Law), vol. 48, 2009-01-01
Marzen C. "Nebraska" Punitive Damages: A State by State Compendium, 2009-01-01
Marzen C. "The Holy See's Worldwide Role and International Human Rights: Solely Symbolic?" University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, vol. 86, 2009-01-01
Marzen C. "The Role of Custom in Canon, Jewish and Islamic Law: Supplemented, Superseded or Supplanted by Written Law?" Ohio Northern University Law Review, vol. 35, 2009-01-01
Marzen C. "Liability for Terrorism in American Courts: Aiding-and-Abetting Liability Under the FSIA State-Sponsor of Terrorism Exception and the Alien Tort Statute" Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, vol. 25, 2008-01-01
Marzen C. "Archbishop Oscar Romero in the U.S. Media, 1977-1980: Elevation Before Martydom" Khthonios: A Journal for the Study of Religion (Queensland Society for the Study of Religion), 2006-08-01