This just in:
The University of Maine School of Law, the State of Maine’s public and only law school, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2020 or sooner.
The University of Maine School of Law seeks a Dean with a successful track record of administrative and fiscal leadership experience and one who possesses the vision, energy, and determination to lead the school in developing a 21st century legal education environment that requires innovation and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
About the University of Maine School of Law
Founded in 1962, the University of Maine School of Law is a vital resource serving our local, regional, national, and global community. The Law School is an institutional public servant committed to providing an accessible and affordable student-focused program of legal education and achieving the highest standards of ethical behavior. It has a culture of excellence and public service and our intentionally small size (approximately 260 students) allows for extensive faculty-student contact and fostering a strong sense of community.
The Law School provides students with a rigorous and innovative curriculum that blends traditional theory with diverse opportunities for experiential learning. Students work closely with talented, collegial faculty who are engaged locally and nationally in both public service and high-level scholarship. The Law School will have opportunities for recruiting new faculty in the next two years, which will serve to further advance the school’s academic program and reputation.
Maine Law’s engaged and supportive alumni base make up a large percentage of the licensed attorneys, judges, political, business, and civic leaders in Maine. The Law School enjoys a close connection to and excellent reputation within the Maine bench, bar and community-at-large, and the right candidate will recognize, appreciate and work to further nurture the strong sense of community that is Maine Law’s greatest strength.
Role of the Dean:
The new Dean must be an innovative, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader who can bring diverse stakeholders together to enhance and build on the Law School’s existing strengths and lead the effort to position the Law School for success as a part of the University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center’s consortium of graduate business, law, and public policy programs, executive education, and business incubation, acceleration, and outreach, while continuing to graduate high-quality bar candidates who take leading roles in Maine’s bench, bar, and civic life.
The ideal candidate will understand the current legal education landscape and have a clear vision for navigating its future; recognize the importance of excellent and innovative teaching, and the wide-ranging skills today’s law students need to master; value and support faculty scholarship and be able to effectively convey its importance to the legal profession; be committed to public service; have a demonstrated record of achievement in consensus building and strategic planning; possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate the school’s strengths to the Maine legal and business communities, among others; and have demonstrated development and fundraising skills. Candidates must have a J.D. or equivalent degree, and credentials commensurate with appointment as Professor of Law with tenure if such appointment is sought.
The University of Maine System:
As the chief academic and administrative officer of the Law School, the next Dean will report to the University of Maine System Chancellor and be invited to participate in the Presidents’ Council, a monthly meeting of the Presidents of the Maine public universities that together make up the University of Maine System.
Effective July 1, 2021, the University of Maine School of Law itself will become an independently budgeted educational unit of the University of Maine System. This change better reflects the Law School’s statewide mission and the need to directly coordinate its educational and clinic offerings with its business and professional community partners.
The Law School is situated on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus. It will continue to partner with the University of Southern Maine to realize efficiencies by sharing facilities and student support services.
The University of Maine System (UMS) serves more than 30,000 students annually. UMS is comprised of the Law School, the University of Maine (and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias), the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Augusta, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and the University of Southern Maine.
The UMS Board of Trustees adopted a Declaration of Strategic Priorities in December 2018 to guide the evolution of higher education in Maine and offer a leadership succession plan that led to the July 1, 2019 appointment of former Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy as Chancellor. The Board’s priorities position UMS as the statewide leader of a nimble, cost-effective continuum of public education that provides the people of Maine with access to flexible, 21st Century-relevant education from early childhood to retirement.
Portland, Maine:
The Law School is located in Maine’s largest city, Portland, which offers the cultural and entertainment amenities of large urban or metropolitan areas but on a smaller, more personal and livable scale. The city’s remarkable collection of historic buildings, its picturesque setting on the coast of Maine, vibrant arts district, and traditional working waterfront are all balanced with the ease and friendliness of a small town. The city offers easy access to Boston, Maine’s iconic coastal and island communities and the mountains and forests of inland and northern Maine. Portland consistently ranks at or near the top of national lists that evaluate quality of life, and it has been featured recently in Forbes and Time Magazine as a city on the rise. With an exciting music and food scene, three minor league sports teams, and a growing multicultural population, Portland is a gem of the East coast.
Required:
• J.D. or equivalent degree
• At least 10 years of progressively higher experience and achievement as a law teacher or administrator, legal practitioner, judge, or an equivalent professional position
• If an appointment is sought as a Professor of Law, achievement in legal research, writing, and/or scholarship that would merit such appointment
• A distinguished record of accomplishment in several or all of the following areas:
o An ability to articulate a clear vision for the Law School reflective of its mission
o Effective leadership in an organization, institution, or entity
o Strong communication and interpersonal skills
o Expertise in legal education or analogous experiences, including an understanding of pedagogy and commitment to experiential education
o A demonstrated concern for and interest in students
o A commitment to shared governance with the Law School Faculty
o A commitment to diversity
o A record of strong entrepreneurial leadership, including innovation, creativity, and a history of building and maintaining consensus around change
o Fiscal acumen, including the ability to plan and manage multi-year budgets aimed at long-term financial stability and sustainability, and to assess financial impacts of proposed actions and initiatives
o An ability to work with the Maine bench, bar, and policymakers, alumni of the Law School, and other Law School external constituencies
o A commitment to, and experience in, gifts, grants and contracts, and other advancement activities
o A commitment to fostering and supporting a culture of community with the Law School's Faculty, staff, and students
o A record of involvement with and understanding of national legal education and/or practice organizations
License/Certifications:
• Valid Driver's License and be an authorized and approved University Driver based on the Driver Administration Policy.
Materials must be submitted at https://maine.hiretouch.com (https://maine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobID=59505&job=dean-maine-school-of-law&collection=true). You will need to create a profile and application (which includes contact information for 3 references); upload:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
Additional inquiries and nominations should be directed to:
James B. Thelen, Esq.
Chief of Staff and General Counsel, University of Maine System
Chair, Dean Search Committee
[email protected]
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
The University of Maine System is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Office of Equal Opportunity, University of Maine, 101 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
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