The Faculty Lounge

Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the premier public research university in the State of Illinois, invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Law. The University of Illinois is a major land-grant university committed to excellence in research, teaching, public engagement, and international programs. We have a long tradition of shared governance and are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The University seeks a visionary Dean dedicated to enhancing and strengthening the mission of the College and to furthering its commitment to excellence in research, teaching, outreach, and international programs.

As the chief academic and executive officer of the College, the Dean has primary responsibility for the faculty and academic professional staff development, budgetary oversight and planning, academic and curricular issues, fundraising, and facilities development.

The new Dean will be pivotal in positioning the College and University as national and international leaders in areas represented by the College. The Dean will provide visionary leadership that will position the College and the campus for continued innovation and success. The Dean will provide leadership for building and enhancing key partnership and collaborations with units across campus. The Dean will be a strong advocate and spokesperson for the College both on campus and with external partners and stakeholders, including alums. While enhancing the diversity of the College, the Dean will value the contributions of diverse faculty, staff, and students.

 

Zachary Kramer Named Dean of Elon Law

Elon University School of Law has announced that Zachary Kramer will be its new dean.  He is currently the interim dean at Arizona State Law.  Kramer, who holds a JD from the University of Illinois College of Law, will  take over in June.

Montana Law Names Four Dean Finalists

And they are:

University of Montana GC Lucy France, Interim Dean Elaine Gagliardi, attorney Kari Hong, and Professor Eric Christiansen (Golden Gate Law.)  Deets are here. 

Hiring Announcement: Western State College of Law at Westcliff University (Dean of the College of Law)

From an email message that I received earlier today:

The Western State College of Law (WSCL) at Westcliff University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Law. Western State seeks a visionary Dean with the highest academic standards who will provide active and engaged leadership, have an unwavering commitment to faculty, staff, and students, and work to enhance the successes and outcomes of the College in key areas of education, scholarship, and practice. As the chief administrative officer and academic leader of the College, the Dean sets the standards for intellectual engagement and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for operational leadership of the academic programs. WSCL seeks an accomplished leader who fosters innovation and collaboration in a shared governance environment.

POSITION SUMMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide vision and leadership to develop and implement a strategic plan to ensure that the College continues to serve its students and the region with programs of the highest quality and effectiveness including the admissions objectives, academic quality, market-driven distinctiveness, and economic performance. With input from the faculty, the Dean is responsible for academic program development and review, faculty recruitment, development and evaluation of faculty, and student relations. The Dean is expected to show clarity in presentations, treat students and colleagues with respect and compassion, and demonstrate an ability to work with a variety of people and issues. The Dean should be objective, manage differing viewpoints, and be flexible while serving as an ambassador in the surrounding community, nationally, and internationally.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned J.D. and eligibility for appointment as a tenured professor of law
• Previous, successful administrative experience in a law school, and/or corporate setting, including personnel and budgetary experience, and the ability to work with upper administration as a team member to shape the College’s future
• A high level of energy and clear desire to serve as the College’s chief recruiter of students
• Evidence of effective community involvement and leadership, and a demonstrated ability to forge partnerships and build productive relationships with both campus and legal community constituencies
• Demonstrated commitment to student centeredness and optimization of student learning
• Broad knowledge of a wide range of legal disciplines, academic trends, and law school enrollment issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of student and faculty diversity
• Dedication to excellence in teaching, research, and service, and a commitment to strategic planning as a means of innovative program development
• A skilled communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills who can represent the College externally to raise awareness and prominence of programs

OCU Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Oklahoma City University (OCU) seeks nominations and applications for the dean of Oklahoma City University School of Law. 

Established in 1904, the OCU School of Law is situated in the state capital and operates in a historic building located in downtown Oklahoma City which was fully renovated less than 10 years ago to accommodate a growing student population.  This facility provides an outstanding learning environment offering facilities for study, state of the art technology classrooms, a courtroom, and space designed to promote interaction between students and faculty.  The building is in close proximity to many government agencies, law firms, and service organizations and has played an important role in the life of the city for decades and, because of this, well represents the School of Law’s tradition of more than a century of service and leadership in the community.

With a full-time faculty of 21, and an enrollment of 453 students, the School of Law offers a learning environment that is challenging and supportive.  The School of Law houses three clinics: the state’s first and only Innocence Clinic, in which students work under the supervision of a clinical professor on the cases of actual inmates who have viable claims of wrongful conviction; the American Indian Wills Clinic, in which students assist tribal members with basic estate-planning documents; and the Norick Municipal Law Research Clinic, in which students work with city attorneys on legal issues facing a large metropolitan area with a rapidly developing urban core.   In addition, the School of Law also houses the Judge Alfred P. Murrah Center for Homeland Security Law and Policy.  The center examines the unique legal issues central to protecting and securing the nation with a focus on the prevention of domestic terrorism.  The School of Law will also lead the planning and serve as the host for the Sovereignty Symposium in 2023.  Originally an initiative overseen by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, this center was established in 1988 and is now a responsibility of the Law School. 

 

Fred Slabach Named Dean of University of Mississippi School of Law

University of Mississippi School of Law has announced that Fred Slabach will be the new dean of its law school.  He is currently President and university professor at Texas Wesleyan University.  Slabach, who holds a JD from University of Mississippi School of Law and an LLM from Columbia University will take over on July 1.

Rob Vischer Named President of University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas has announced that its new president will be Rob Vischer.  Vischer has served as dean of the university's law school from 2013-2022.  He assumed the St. Thomas Presidency on January 1, 2023.

University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is seeking an inspiring and innovative leader to serve as Dean of the School of Law. UMKC is an urban research university serving more than 15,700 students with a broad array of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. This school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

UMKC is recognized for the quality of its faculty, students, research and community leadership. Located in a metropolitan area that is among the fastest growing, most affordable and most entrepreneurial cities in America, UMKC enjoys a diverse base of corporate centers, high-tech firms and prominent non-profits that identify with UMKC. Kansas City is an inspiring example of 21st century economic transformation, with UMKC sitting at its heart.

UMKC’s next Law Dean will lead a law school within an urban research enterprise. Thus, this Deanship is an opportunity to serve the underserved, but also to explore opportunities for corporate law and entrepreneurship both within the law school and within our community at large. We seek candidates who are socially conscious and optimistic about the great things one can do within our fantastic city and for our dedicated stakeholders.

 

Cincinnati Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

The University of Cincinnati seeks an innovative and dynamic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Law. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Law and a member of the Council of Deans, who actively participates in the governance of the university.

Within the University, the College of Law, with an enrollment of more than 400 students, is the fourth oldest continually operating law school in the nation, and it is committed to educate leaders in the pursuit of justice and the advancement of the role of law in society. Housed in a newly-opened building in the heart of campus, the college is committed to maintaining a robust and collegial learning environment that blends theory and practice including programs and clinics that focus on social justice and public service (the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights; the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice, Ohio’s only Innocence Project; the Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice; the Domestic Violence and Civil Protection Order Clinic; the Indigent Defense Clinic; the Legal Access Clinic); business and corporate law (the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic; the Patent and Trademark Clinic; the Corporate Law Center); trial, appellate and negotiation practice (the Sixth Circuit Clinic; the Center for Practice; and our Help Center for Hamilton County Municipal Court), and the Weaver Institute for Law and Psychiatry. To learn more about the renowned College of Law and its history, visit law.uc.edu.

 

Victor Romero Named Interim Dean of Penn State Law University Park

As part of the proposed merger of the two Penn State law schools, the university canceled the dean search for Penn State University Park.  The university has named Professor Victor Romero as the new interim dean, effective January 1, replacing the prior interim dean James Houck.  Romero began his service at what was then the Dickinson School of Law in 1995, later transitioning to the new University Park law school after Penn State acquired Dickinson.  He holds a JD from the University of Southern California.  

Western New England Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Western New England University (WNE or the University) seeks nominations and applications for the dean of Western New England School of Law (WNE Law or the Law School). The dean will join an exceptionally collegial community focused on student success and community impact. As the only law school in Western Massachusetts, WNE Law is a school of access and opportunity, offering an array of programs to meet the needs of a diverse student body of full-time, part-time, day, and evening students. The Law School maintains a proud transformational legacy of preparing graduates to enter the legal profession practice- ready and to become advocates and civic leaders within their communities. Building upon the Law School’s traditions of inclusivity, practical training, and community lawyering, the dean will have the opportunity to influence the future of a school where faculty, staff, and students are extraordinarily supportive of one another and committed to making a positive impact on the legal community of Western New England and beyond.

WNE Law serves as an “opportunity law school” in its region. It has a demonstrated history of offering a pathway to the legal profession for students who are traditionally underrepresented in the field, such as first-generation students and working professionals. WNE Law currently enrolls approximately 337 students in its JD, MS, and LLM programs and offers several areas of concentration. Its more than 8,500 living graduates are actively pursuing meaningful careers in all sectors of the law, primarily within Western New England, one of the most welcoming, progressive, and inclusive regions in the country.

 

Penn State President Recommends Reunification of Its Two Law Schools

The world goes round.  Neeli Bendapudi, Penn State's president,  is recommending that the university reverse the previous decision to separate its two law school campuses in to two separately ABA accredited schools and instead merge them back into one.  The plan is for the new school to become Penn State Dickinson Law - based primarily in Carlisle.  It will be lead by Penn State Dickinson Law's current dean, Danielle Conway - and based on the recommendation, Penn State University Park is canceling its dean search.  Deets here.  

Kathleen Boozang Stepping Down as Dean of Seton Hall Law

Kathleen Boozang, who has served as dean of Seton Hall School of Law since 2015, will step down on January 1, 2023 and will return to the faculty.  Professor John Kip Cornwell will serve as interim dean while the university conducts a search for its next dean. 

 

 

Theresa Beiner Stepping Down as Dean of UA Little Rock Law

Theresa Beiner, who has served as Dean of University Arkansas Little Rock School of Law since since 2018, will step down on June 30, 2023 and return to a faculty position.  Details about the search for a new dean can be found here.

 

 

 

Rutgers Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Rutgers Law School, the largest public law school in the northeast, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the Law School. Rutgers Law School is looking for a dynamic leader whose skills and energy will focus on building and aligning the faculty, the staff, the student body, and external legal partners to prepare excellent and engaged lawyers for the future.

Now is an exciting time in the history of legal education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Rutgers Law School offers students, alumni, attorneys, and the public a rich array of services and opportunities from its two well-established New Jersey locations at Camden and Newark, and it adjoins two of the nation’s largest, most dynamic legal markets (New York City and Philadelphia). Rutgers is well-recognized for its tradition of academic excellence, opportunity, inclusion, and affordability. Rutgers Law School is committed to scholarly distinction and engagement with the major legal issues and concerns facing our host communities, the region, country, and world. The faculty has acted on its commitment to equity and to scholarly excellence by creating a unitary tenure-track structure for full-time faculty. Rutgers Law School has a long-standing and steadfast commitment to social justice and public service, carried out through a myriad of programs, and projects that provide legal services to individuals in need: locally, nationally, and globally. The law school is committed to excellence in practice: both the legal writing and clinical programs are annually ranked within the top #15 in the nation. The law school is also highly ranked for its part-time program. As one of the largest law schools in the nation, Rutgers Law School delivers a comprehensive enhanced curriculum, an extensive alumni association, and a heightened national profile befitting the law school of a major public research university.

 

Penn Law Names Consultative Dean Search Committee

The University of Pennsylvania  has announced a Consultative Committee to advise on the selection of the next dean of Penn Law.  The faculty members are:

• Erika H. James, Committee Chair; Dean, Wharton School and Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise (WHA)
• Anita L. Allen, Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and professor of philosophy (LAW)
• Mitchell Berman, Leon Meltzer Professor of Law and professor of philosophy (LAW)
• Cary Coglianese, Edward B. Shils Professor of Law and professor of political science (LAW)
• Jonathan D. Moreno, David and Lyn Silfen University Professor; professor of medical ethics & health policy and history & sociology of science (PSOM and SAS)
• Sarah Pierce, Denise A. Rotko Associate Dean for Legal Practice Skills (LAW)
• Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, professor of law and psychology (LAW)
• Christopher S. Yoo, John H. Chestnut Professor of Law, Communication, and Computer & Information Science (LAW)

Nominations may be sent to  lawdeansearch@upenn.edu.  Kenneth L. Kring, from Korn Ferry, is consulting on the search. 

Widener Law Commonwealth Seeks Dean

This just in:

Widener Law Commonwealth (WLC) invites applications, expressions of interest, and nominations of candidates to be our next Dean.

About Widener Law Commonwealth

WLC is a small, close-knit, collegial law school committed, above all, to our students’ success.  WLC’s supportive community of teachers, staff, and alumni is dedicated to providing our students with a personal, practical, and professional legal education.  We work together to provide an education that values each individual student and emphasizes individual attention.  Our goal is to transform promising students into skilled lawyers—whether in government or in the private sector—who know the law and use the law to solve problems, and who are engaged as leaders in their communities.  We view as crucial to this mission a dedication to excellent and innovative teaching, engagement in scholarship that enriches our teaching and the development of the law, and participation in public service.  These activities—teaching, scholarship, and service—enrich the institution and provide models for students in their personal, practical, and professional development.

 

Gordon Smith Stepping Down as BYU Law Dean

D. Gordon Smith has announced that he will step down as dean of BYU Law at the end of the 2022-23 school year.  Smith became dean in 2016.

Vermont Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Vermont Law School seeks its next innovative Dean of the Law School who shares our commitment to academic excellence and community.

In the summer of 2022, the school announced a new organizational and administrative structure as part of its bold strategic plan. The centerpiece of the new organizational structure and plan was the creation of a separate Law School and Graduate School, each with its own Dean, reporting to the President who oversees the Vermont Law and Graduate School.

We are pleased to launch the national search and invite applications for the Dean of the Law School.  Interested candidates should visit https://www.vermontlaw.edu/careers/dean-of-the-law-school for more information and application instructions.

UCLA School of Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the UCLA School of Law.

Founded in 1949, the UCLA School of Law is one of the youngest top-ranked law schools in the United States and is committed to advancing the field of law through strong traditions of excellence in teaching, curricular innovation, influential scholarship and public engagement. One of UCLA’s 12 professional schools, the law school has approximately 200 full-time and part-time faculty (of whom 70 are tenure track) who teach approximately 1,400 students enrolled in Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) and Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) programs. The school houses a wide array of centers and institutes in such areas as business law, climate change, entertainment law, human rights, immigration law and policy, international and comparative law, reproductive health, technology law and policy, and sexual orientation and gender identity law. The school offers academic specializations in business law and policy; critical race studies; environmental law; international and comparative law; media, entertainment and technology law; law and philosophy; and public interest law and policy. Eight concurrent degree programs allow students to pursue a J.D. along with a degree in African American studies, American Indian studies, management, philosophy, public health, public policy, social welfare and urban planning. UCLA Law faculty are recognized worldwide for their contributions to scholarship, teaching and law reform in a broad spectrum of fields that have significant societal impact — including constitutional law, civil rights and critical race studies, environmental law and policy, criminal law, corporate law, public interest law, immigration law, international law and intellectual property.