The Faculty Lounge

Iowa Law Seeks Dean

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The University of Iowa invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Law.  

The College of Law is one of the nation’s premier public law schools, with an influence that reaches across the nation and around the world through the work of ambitious students, productive faculty and staff, and talented alumni. Iowa Law’s next dean will be positioned to move the school forward by creating new and innovative opportunities to learn, teach, and serve.

The Dean will develop a clear and compelling vision for Iowa Law’s next chapter, providing leadership in matters related to planning, curriculum, scholarship, and finances. The Dean will engage with faculty, staff, students, alumni, the legal community, and state and federal governmental officials to advance the goals of the College of Law and the University. The successful candidate must possess a JD or its equivalent and must have a record of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service that meets the standards for appointment to the Iowa Law faculty as a full professor with tenure. The candidate must possess a substantial record of leadership over time in a professional setting, with a strong preference given to candidates who possess substantial leadership experience in the legal academy. The successful candidate will demonstrate a capacity and readiness to advance the College of Law through fundraising and building external partnerships. The successful candidate will also demonstrate an ability to advance the University’s philosophy and practice in the areas of access, opportunity, and diversity.  For more information, please visit wittkieffer.com.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of Iowa in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 1, 2024.

Nominations, inquiries, and applications can be directed to:

Werner Boel, LL.M. and Ashlee Winters Musser

[email protected]

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Seeks Dean

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University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Michigan's largest and most comprehensive Catholic University in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the School of Law.

For more than a century, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law has educated lawyers who are committed to the pursuit of justice, service to others, and the highest standards of the legal profession. Detroit Mercy Law fully embraces the Jesuit and Mercy heritages, welcoming students and faculty of all faith traditions, and emphasizing academic and intellectual excellence and ethical values. Detroit Mercy Law provides a rigorous education that combines theory, doctrine, ethics, transnational educational opportunities, and real-world experience. From its location in the heart of downtown Detroit, Detroit Mercy Law students can readily access opportunities to connect with local leaders, community partners, employers, and an engaged alumni network more than 9,000 strong.

In addition to the JD program, Detroit Mercy Law offers students access to the JD/MBA program and the Canadian & American Dual JD Program, a collaboration between Detroit Mercy Law and University of Windsor Faculty of Law, which is the only three-year combined program of its kind in North America.

 

John Manning Named Permanent Provost of Harvard

Harvard University has announced that its interim provost, John Manning, the former dean of Harvard Law, will serve in the position permanently.  

Michael Hunter Schwartz Stepping Down as Dean of McGeorge

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law has announced that Michael Hunter Schwartz will step down as dean at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.  Schwartz became dean in 2017.  He will return to the faculty in 2026 after a leave.

Paul Salamanca Named Acting Dean of the University of Kentucky Law

The University of Kentucky College of Law has announced that Paul Salamanca is the school's acting dean effective July 1.  Salamanca joined the law school in 1995 and holds a JD from Boston College Law School. 

McKen Carrington Named Acting Dean of Texas Southern

McKen Carrington has been named acting dean of Texas Southern Law effective June 14.  Carrington joined the law school in 1984 and earned his JD from Albany.

13th Annual Promoting Diversity in Law School Leadership

Interested in law school leadership? The 13th Annual Promoting Diversity in Law School Leadership, co-hosted by Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and Seattle University School of Law,  is designed to encourage and assist members of underrepresented groups to pursue deanships and other leadership positions. The workshop will help participants: determine whether to pursue a deanship and the right time; understand the nuts and bolts of the dean's role; prepare to be a successful candidate; learn how to negotiate appointment terms and ensure a successful transition; and, determine what other forms of university and law school leadership roles may be a good fit.

Experience shows this will be an excellent program, and it has been a launching pad for a number of sitting deans and associate deans. This year's workshop will be held September 20-21, 2024 at Villanova University. Details and registration link are here.

 

Angela Upchurch Named Interim Dean of Southern Illinois Law

Associate Dean Angela Upchurch  has been named interim dean of Southern Illinois University School of Law effective July 1. Upchurch joined the law school in 2014 and holds a JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Jeffrey Dobbins Named Interim Dean of Willamette College of Law

Associate Dean and Professor of Law Jeffrey Dobbins has been named interim dean of Willamette College of Law effective July 1. Dobbins joined the law school in 2006 and holds a JD from Duke.

David Western Named Dean of Appalachian Law

Colonel David “D.J.” Western has been named dean of Appalachian Law.  He joined the law school in 2002 and served as Dean of Students.  He has been interim dean since September 2023.  Western, who holds a JD from  Lewis & Clark and an LL.M. from George Washington University, will assume the role on July 1.

 

Jessica Berg Named Dean of UC Davis Law

UC Davis School of Law has announced that Jessica Berg will be its next dean.  She is currently co-dean at Case Western Reserve School of Law.  Berg, who earned her JD from Cornell, will take over on September 1.

Daniel Abebe Named Dean of Columbia Law

Columbia Law has announced that Daniel Abebe will be its next dean.  He is currently vice provost for academic affairs and governance at the University of Chicago and professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School.  Abebe, who holds a JD from Harvard and a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Chicago, will take over on August 1.

Jeffrey Rensberger Named Interim Dean of South Texas Law

Professor Jeff Rensberger has been named interim dean of South Texas College of Law Houston effective June 17.  Rensberger joined the law school in 1988 and holds a JD from Indiana University at Bloomington.

Morse Tan Stepping Down as Dean of Liberty Law School

Liberty University School of Law has announced that Morse Tan will step down as dean to serve as the senior executive director of Liberty's Center for Law & Government, effective July 1.  Tan joined the law school in 2022.  Tim Todd, who joined Liberty in 2012, will serve as interim dean. Todd holds a JD from Liberty Law and a Ph.D from Kansas State. 

Terence Lau Named Dean of Syracuse Law

Syracuse University College of Law has announced that Terence Lau will be its next dean.  He is currently a professor of management at California State University, Chico, and served as dean of the Chico State's business school  from 2018-2023.  He also served as Chico State's interim provost and vice president for academic affairs from July 2023 to February 2024.  Lau, who holds a JD from Syracuse, will take over on August 5th.

Kent Barnett Named Dean of Ohio State Law

The Ohio State University College of Law has announced that Kent Barnett will be its next dean.  He is currently associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Georgia School of Law.  Barnett, who holds a JD from the University of Kentucky, will take over on August 15.

Kevin Washburn Stepping Down as Iowa Law Dean

The University of Iowa College of Law has announced that Kevin Washburn will step down as dean on December 31, 2024.  Washburn became dean in 2018. He will return to the faculty.

Southern Illinois Law Seeks Dean

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Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School invites nominations and applications for the next Dean. We seek a dynamic, experienced leader with a demonstrated understanding of legal education, institutional growth and development, and the current and future challenges facing law schools.

SIU Simmons Law is a small regional public law school with a strong past and a bright future.  We just celebrated our 50th anniversary, successfully completed our ABA reaccreditation site visit, and received a $10 million gift.  Our students have experienced many successes too, including winning a national moot court competition two years in a row.  We are looking for a Dean who will capture the moment of these successes and guide us into the future.

Founded in 1973, with the goal of serving the area's unmet legal needs, we hold true to our foundational motto: "Established in the public interest, serving the public good." As the only public law school in the area, we pride ourselves on providing an accessible, collegial learning environment that transforms students into practice-ready lawyers and community leaders. This transformative process incorporates a robust focus on teaching, innovative research and advocacy projects, a pro bono requirement, and experiential learning. Our clinical programs and externship opportunities hone students' skills and offer access to justice for many who would otherwise go without legal assistance. Our law library is the primary public legal research resource for the southern portion of the state.

 

Paul Rose Named Dean of Case Western Reserve Law

Case Western Reserve University School of Law has announced that Paul Rose will be its next dean.  Rose is currently associate dean for strategic initiatives at The Ohio State Law.  Rose, who earned his JD from UCLA, will take over on July 1.

Peter "Bo" Rutledge Stepping Down as Dean of The University of Georgia School of Law

The University of Georgia School of law has announced that Bo Rutledge will step down as dean of the end of the calendar year.  Rutledge became dean in 2015.  He will return to the faculty.