John Kramer Remembered
In 1988, shortly after his appointment as Dean, John Kramer helped to establish The Public Law Center (TPLC) as a joint venture of Tulane and Loyola Law Schools. When TPLC conducted its first International Legislative 
Drafting Institute in 1995, Dean Kramer discussed “The Worst Bill Ever Drafted,” which was the Food Stamp Act drafted by — John Kramer! He chose that title because he had deliberately violated one of the cardinal rules of legislative drafting by placing important substantive law into the “Definitions” section. He did it for “strategic reasons,” John said, “because no one ever reads the Definitions.”
John was a national figure in legal education and legislative practice. The New Orleans Times-Picayune, The Washington Post, and The New York Times all wrote obituaries. His work is done, but his good works endure.
The Kramer Fellowship
In keeping with the legacy of John Kramer's life work, the Kramer Fellowship was created to build the advocay, legislative, and clinical teaching skills of other attorneys aspiring to contribute to society in a meaningful way. The work of the Kramer Fellow is focused on housing related policy issues in post-Katrina New Orleans. The Fellow provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and other individuals pursuing housing related reform and assists community groups negotiating Community Benefit Agreements with developers in New Orleans.
Funding
The Kramer Fellowship is funded by the Fannie Mae Foundation, a private nonprofit organization supported solely by the Fannie Mae Corporation. The mission of the foundation is to create affordable homeownership and housing opportunities through innovative partnerships and initiatives that build healthy, vibrant communities across the Unites States. The Fannie Mae Foundation is proud to assist New Orleans in its recovery from Hurricane Katrina by funding the Kramer Fellowship.