The Faculty Lounge

UNT Dallas Law Seeks Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

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The UNT Dallas College of Law welcomes applications from experienced law school professors who are interested in serving in the role of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The position is expected to begin in Summer 2021 for the 2021 – 2022 academic year.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serves as the principal steward of, and manages and directs, the College of Law’s academic affairs, including curriculum development, faculty mentoring, class scheduling, faculty workload assignment, program assessment, program development and leadership, student advisement, and committee leadership.

The Associate Dean also serves as a strategic advisor to the College of Law’s Dean, represents the College of Law to the outside community, and facilitates coordination of all academic affairs with the UNT Dallas and UNT System’s central administration. As a Professor of Law, the Associate Dean will also be responsible for teaching one course per long semester beginning with academic year 2021-2022.

For additional information or to apply please follow this link: https://jobs.untsystem.edu/postings/39278

Felecia Epps | Dean and Professor of Law
UNT Dallas College of Law
106 S. Harwood | Dallas, Texas 75201
lawschool.untsystem.edu |214-752-3233

Phyllis Crocker Stepping Down as Dean of Detroit-Mercy Law

Dean Phyllis Crocker has announced that she will step down as dean of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (after a seven year run) and retire in June 2021. The law school will conduct a search this year, working with Witt Kieffer. 

Jim Anaya Stepping Down as Dean of Colorado Law

University of Colorado law dean, James Anaya, has announced that he will step down as dean and join the faculty at the end of the school year, on June 30, 2021.  He will have served one five year term in the position.  The law school will conduct a dean search this year.

Beto Juárez Named Dean of Nova Southeastern Law

Nova Southeastern University announced that its new law school dean will be José Roberto Juárez. He is currently on the faculty of the University of Denver law school where he served as dean from 2006 to 2009. Juárez, who holds a JD from the University of Texas, starts the new position this week.

James Speta Named Interim Dean of Northwestern Law

Northwestern University has announced that the law school's vice dean, Professor James Speta, will take over as interim dean on August 1.  He holds a JD from the University of Michigan and joined the law school faculty  in 1999.

Idaho Law Seeks Dean

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The University of Idaho invites applications and nominations for an innovative, collaborative and visionary dean to lead the College Law as one of the best small state public law schools in the U.S. The dean should effectively promote and foster academic excellence, grow enrollment, expand research, guide and implement strategic planning, engage with key constituencies and stakeholders and raise funds for the College.

The dean has responsibility to oversee and implement policies and priorities of the college and university. The Dean for the College of Law leads the college faculty in the development of policies and priorities governing the academic programs of the college. The dean facilitates the appropriate inclusion of faculty, staff, students and stakeholders in the college decision-making processes. The academic programs of the college are directly affected by program planning, definitions of goals and priorities, instructional methods and standards, student advising, mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders, research policies, allocation of resources, fund-raising and the development of professional standards related to the branches of learning for which the college is responsible. The academic programs of the college include graduate/professional instruction and research activity. It is expected that the dean satisfactorily employs strategies to implement objectives and achieve the four goals of the University’s Strategic Plan while carrying out the mission of the college.

Required Qualifications
An earned terminal degree from an accredited law university.
Accomplishments and experience to merit an appointment with tenure and rank of full professor.
Leadership experience including: personnel management, resource management (finances, facilities, equipment, etc.) and quality programming/delivery.
Evidence of original initiatives focused on improving excellence in teaching, research, outreach, mentoring and/or student success.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with strategic planning and visioning to successfully address change, managing program/professional-level accreditation and program assessment, increasing student enrollment and attracting and retaining a diverse student and employee population.
Interpersonal and communication skills to develop, maintain, and work successfully with faculty, staff, department administrators, peer colleagues, students, alumni and other stakeholders.
Experience developing and advancing philanthropic opportunities, economic development, extramurally funded research or other fundraising efforts.

Required documents for applicants are a CV, Letter of Qualification, List of 5 references and a Contributions to Diversity and Inclusion Statement. The first consideration date for application review will be August 8, 2020.

If you have a candidate in mind whom you believe would excel in this position, please send that individuals name and contact information to Shauna Corry, Search Advisory Committee Chair, scorry@uidaho.edu.

Kim Yuracko Leaving Northwestern Law Deanship

Northwestern University announced that Kim Yuracko will be leaving the deanship at Northwestern 's law school at the end of this month to become the university's associate provost for academic projects.  An interim dean and a search committee will be announced shortly.  

South Carolina Law Names William Hubbard Dean

After a faculty meeting in which the University of South Carolina School of Law faculty gave its backing to two dean finalists - USC Professor Joel Samuels (the faculty's preferred candidate) and USC trustee William Hubbard - the university has announced that the new law school dean will be William Hubbard.  Hubbard, a partner at Nelson Mullins in Columbia, holds a JD from the University of South Carolina.

Rey Valencia Named Dean of Capital Law School

Capital Law School has announced that Reynaldo Valencia will become its new dean.  Valencia is a faculty member at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law where he also serves as the school's associate dean for finance and administration.  He holds a JD from Harvard Law School.

Santa Clara Law Seeks Dean

The Santa Clara University School of Law has begun its search for a new dean.  The posting is here.

University of South Carolina Announces Dean Finalists

And they are:

William Hubbard (Trustee of University of South Carolina)
Susa Kuo (Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, South Carolina Law)
Joel Samuels (Professor, South Carolina Law)
David Thronson (Professor, Michigan State Law)

Johnson Stepping Down as Dean of Widener Commonwealth; Hussey Named Interim

Dean Christian Johnson of Widener University Commonwealth Law School has announced he will step down at the end of June.  He has been with Widener for five years and was the inaugural dean of Widener Commonwealth.  Michael Hussey, previously the associate dean of academic affairs at the law school, has been named interim dean. Hussey (pictured) holds a JD from Saint Louis University and an LLM from Washington University in St. Louis.  

Wisconsin Law Names Dan Tokaji Dean

The University of Wisconsin Law School announced that its new dean will be Daniel Tokaji.  Tokaji, who holds a JD from Yale, is the associate dean for faculty at Ohio State Law.  He joined the Ohio State faculty in 2003.

Toronto Seeks Dean of Faculty of Law

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The University of Toronto is conducting an extensive international search for the position of Dean of the Faculty of Law, and invites expressions of interest, nominations, and applications for the position. The appointment will be effective January 1, 2021, or as soon thereafter as possible.

Preeminent among Canadian law schools and one of the best in the world, the Faculty of Law continues to build on its illustrious history to meet the challenges of the evolving legal profession. More than 50 full-time and 65 adjunct and distinguished visiting faculty members from the world’s leading law schools come together with approximately 800 academically gifted and engaged JD and graduate students to form a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive intellectual community. The Faculty of Law is committed to ensuring that its law school is accessible to, and inclusive of, talented students from all segments of society to advance its vision of a law school and legal profession that fully reflect the diversity of its society. The Faculty’s challenging academic programs are supplemented by its many public interest clinics and programs, and it enjoys close links to its alumni and a high level of interaction with the rest of the University. For further information, please see www.law.utoronto.ca.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law will be an accomplished and visionary scholar, educator, communicator, and leader, with a history of exemplary administration that reflects a commitment to excellence, equity, and diversity; a capacity to build and lead collaborative and inclusive teams; the ability to initiate and lead change in legal education and preparation for professional practice; and a record of impactful relationships with a range of internal and external partners. As the strategic leader of the Faculty, the Dean will work collaboratively to articulate its vision and develop, implement, and adapt ideas and strategies to meet the changing needs of students, faculty, staff, and its external communities. With an understanding of current and future issues, trends, and forces that will impact legal education and practice, the Dean will further strengthen the Faculty’s academic programs, enhance its endeavours and reputation, and participate in realizing the aspirations of the University of Toronto’s academic plan, Towards 2030. The Dean will also have the necessary skills, qualities, and interests to be an effective fundraiser. Reporting to the Vice-President and Provost, the Dean will form part of the senior leadership of the University of Toronto.

The Search Committee will begin considering potential candidates immediately and will continue until the role is successfully filled. Applications including a curriculum vitae, a letter of introduction, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate) should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to the University’s search consultants:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc. UTLaw@lavernesmith.com

The University of Toronto is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the world for innovation, teaching, and research impact. U of T was recently ranked 12th in the world for graduate employability, and U of T’s alumni include distinguished researchers, teachers, decision-makers, prominent politicians, global business leaders, and eminent philanthropists. The University supports a renowned commercialization program through a network of entrepreneurial accelerators, and is located in Toronto, one of the most diverse, vibrant, and inviting cities in the world. U of T is also recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. In accordance with the AODA, accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Ben Spencer Named Dean of William & Mary Law

The William & Mary Law School has announced that its new dean will be A. Benjamin Spencer.  Spencer, the Justice Thurgood Marshall Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, holds a JD from Harvard.  He will take over on July 1.

Matthew Lyon Named Dean of Lincoln Memorial Law

Lincoln Memorial University has announced that Matt Lyon will be taking over as dean of its law school.  Lyon, who currently serves as associate dean of academic affairs, is a graduate of Northwestern Law.  He will become dean this summer.

Doug Blaze Named Interim Dean of Tennessee Law

The University of Tennessee College of Law announced that this year's dean search "did not yield a good fit for the college."  Plans to resume the search will be announced this summer.  Beginning July 1, Dean Emeritus Doug Blaze will serve as interim dean.  More details here.

Camille Nelson Named Dean of Hawaii Law

The University of Hawaii has announced that Camille Nelson, currently the dean of American University's law school, will be heading to Honolulu as the dean of Hawaii Law.  Nelson is finishing her fourth year at American.  Nelson, who holds an LLB from Ottawa and an LLM from Columbia, was previously dean at Suffolk.  She takes over this summer.

John Taylor Named Interim Dean of West Virginia Law

With Dean Greg Bowman headed to Roger Williams, West Virginia is doing leadership planning for the coming year.  The University's provost has named John Taylor, a longtime member of the the WVU faculty, as interim dean starting July 1.  Taylor holds a JD from North Carolina and a Ph.D in Religious Studies from Stanford.  WVU will conduct a dean search next fall.

Greg Bowman Named Dean of Roger Williams Law

Roger Williams University has announced that Gregory Bowman, the current dean of West Virginia University College of Law, will become the next dean of its law school.  Bowman, who holds a JD from Northwestern,  has been dean at WVU for six years.  He will take over at RMU this summer.