Kristin Wolek | Simmons Law School | SIU

Professor Kristin Wolek joined Simmons Law School in 2025 as a Reference Librarian and Assistant Professor of Law. She holds a B.A. in Information Science & eSociety (with Honors) and a minor in Creative Writing, a J.D. from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law, and an M.L.I.S. with Certificates in Legal Information and Foundations of Data Science, also from the University of Arizona.

Prior to joining Simmons, she served as a Law Library Fellow at her alma mater, where she supported faculty research, staffed the reference desk, created training resources, and led outreach efforts. Her previous experience also includes editorial and research roles with the Innovation for Justice program, a judicial externship with Pima County Juvenile Court, and administrative and UX support positions across various university initiatives. Professor Wolek’s scholarly work explores information and technology ethics, privacy law, animal law, and the evolving role of law libraries in the digital age.

Her recent publications address topics such as tribal legal research, cybersecurity, and professional privacy obligations. She remains actively involved in national professional organizations, including the American Association of Law Libraries and the American Library Association. At Simmons Law School, she teaches Lawyering Skills: Legal Research and has delivered guest lectures in courses including Legal Practice in the Age of AI and Big Data, Advanced Legal Research, and Legal Research, Analysis, and Communication.