The Faculty Lounge

Miles Appointed to Second Term as Chicago Law Dean

The University of Chicago Law School has renewed the appointment of Dean Thomas Miles, effective July 1.   He first took the position in November of 2015.

Peter Goplerud Named Dean of Florida Coastal Law

Florida Coastal School of Law has named its president, Peter Goplerud, to be the new dean.  He takes over from interim dean Jennifer Reiber.  Goplerud was dean of the school from 2004 to 2013.

Indiana Indianapolis Law Selects Dean Finalists

There are four people coming to the IU-Indianapolis campus in the next few weeks to interview for the law school deanship, but you'll have to sit tight to learn their identities.  More here.

Wisconsin Law Begins Dean Search

Isaacson, Miller is consulting. 

The committee is chaired by Heinz Klug, Evjue-Bascom Professor of Law and the others are: Michelle Behnke, community member and external practicing attorney; Roman Gierok, student; Erica Halverson, professor of curriculum and instruction; Alexandra Huneeus, professor of law; Richard Monette, professor of law; Yaron Nili, assistant professor of law; Kim Peterson, lecturer; Howard Schweber, professor of political science and Law School affiliated faculty; Mitra Sharafi, professor of law; Susannah Tahk, associate dean for research and faculty development at the Law School; Janice Toliver, executive assistant at the Law School; Kathryn VandenBosch dean of College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Steven Wright, clinical associate professor; and Jason Yackee, professor of law.

Further details here.

Hawaii Law Names Dean Finalists

The University of Hawaii has named three finalists for its law school deanship.  They are Robert Chang (Seattle), Camille Nelson (American),  and Anthony Niedwiecki (Golden Gate.)  

Camille Davidson Named Dean of Southern Illinois Law

Southern Illinois University has named Camille Davidson as its new dean.  Davidson, a former professor and associate dean for academic affairs and faculty development at Charlotte School of Law, will take over this summer.  She holds a JD from Georgetown Law.  

Melanie Jacobs Named Interim Dean of MSU Law

Michigan State University College of Law has named Professor Melanie Jacobs as interim dean, effective January 1.  She takes over from Lawrence Ponoroff who stepped down at the end of 2019.  Jacobs joined the MSU faculty in 2002.  

Sean Scott Named Dean of California Western Law

Loyola LA law professor (and former associate dean) Sean Scott has been named as the new president and dean of California Western School of Law.  Scott, who holds a JD from NYU Law, will take the helm on August 1. 

The Road to the Deanship - A Panel for Law Profs

The Deans' Section of the AALS is hosting a panel, The Road to the Deanship: Reflections and Advice.  It's Sunday morning,  January 5, from 8:30 to 10:15, in  Maryland Suite A, Lobby Level, at the Marriott.  Yes, it's early, but if you want to be a dean this might be worth setting the alarm. 

The panel is moderated by President and Dean Alicia Ouellette, from Albany Law, and it features the highly respected recruiter, Werner Boel, from WittKieffer;  Dean Melanie Leslie from Cardozo; Patty Salkin, Provost and CAO, Graduate and Professional Divisions of Touro College; and me. 

It's hosted by the Section on Law School Deans, but it's open to everyone and principally designed for people curious about moving into administration.  

Lincoln Memorial Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Lincoln Memorial University seeks applications and nominations for the position of University Vice President and Dean of the Duncan School of Law, to commence July 2020. Located in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, LMU Law is a student-centered institution with the mission of improving access to legal services in Appalachia and other underserved regions. LMU Law has a rigorous, practice-focused curriculum that is designed to emphasize student learning outcomes, maintain high bar passage rates, and ensure that its students have the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive contribution to their communities as lawyers and leaders.

LMU Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. Its home is the historic Old City Hall building in the heart of historic Knoxville, 55 miles south of LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee. Knoxville offers a high quality of life and excellent cultural and recreational opportunities, including proximity to several state and national parks.

Reporting to the University President, the Law School Dean will serve as the leader of the school’s faculty and administration, overseeing the program of legal education, operating budget, admissions, student affairs, and development. The Law School Dean will also be an LMU Vice President, which includes service as a member of the University President’s cabinet. Required qualifications include a J.D. degree or equivalent, bar admission in a U.S. jurisdiction, a strong academic background, and at least ten years of aggregate experience in law school teaching, administration, and the practice of law. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated intellectual leadership and interpersonal skills, along with a commitment to student success, diversity, and inclusion. Candidates of all backgrounds, including women and racial minorities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Vollweiler Named Interim Dean at Nova Southeastern

Professor Debra Moss Vollweiler, who is currently serving as associate dean for academic affairs at Nova Southeastern Law, will be taking over as the law school's interim dean at the beginning of next year.   She holds a JD from Boston College.

Roger Williams Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Roger Williams University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean, School of Law.

Founded in 1919, Roger Williams University is a private institution that places high importance on teaching and scholarship in both the liberal arts and sciences and numerous professional fields of study. With a combined enrollment of more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, and more than 275 full-time faculty, the School is positioned to become one of the finest comprehensive universities in the country. With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, RI, Roger Williams University is committed to strengthening society through engaged teaching and learning so that students graduate with the ability to think critically and to apply the practical skills that today’s employers demand. Roger Williams offers a wide array of academic programs through six schools of study, including the School of Law (RWU Law).

Established in 1993, RWU Law has approximately 450 students (75 percent of whom come from out of state) and 24 full-time faculty. A leader in experiential education, RWU Law delivers an innovative, high-quality legal education that is also affordable and inclusive. As Rhode Island’s only law school, RWU Law has the undivided attention of the state bench and bar, a world-class faculty dedicated to both teaching and research, exceptional clinical and externship programs, and a broad and accomplished alumni base. Last year, RWU Law celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Reporting directly to President Ioannis Miaoulis, PhD, and working closely with the Law School’s Board of Directors, the Dean will inspire a diverse constituency around the School’s vision and mission, which focus on preparing students not only for careers in law but also to become forces for positive change. As the only law dean in Rhode Island, RWU Law’s leader holds elevated prominence within the state’s legal system. The Dean will ensure that RWU Law remains student-centered; promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion; continues the University’s commitment to serving the public interest; and prepares graduates for challenging legal careers. Promoting faculty excellence in scholarship, teaching, and public service and supporting students and alumni in their journeys to become capable professionals and engaged citizens, the Dean will continue to prioritize academic rigor and will improve shared governance, transparent leadership, and collaborative decision-making. In addition to being passionate about legal education and its access, the next leader of RWU Law will also demonstrate financial acumen and possess a proven record of fundraising. A J.D. or its equivalent is required.

Brian Gallini Named Dean of Willamette

Willamette University College of Law has announced that Professor Brian Gallini will take over as dean this summer.  Gallini is currently on the faculty at the University of Arkansas school of Law and, in addition to serving in the law school administration, spent nine years as head coach of the Arkansas hockey team.  He holds a JD from the University of Michigan and an LLM from Temple.

Maine Law Seeks Dean

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.

Mitchell Hamline Names Dean Finalists

Mitchell Hamline School of Law has announced four finalists for the position of president and dean.  They are:

Norman Williams, Eileen Scallen, Anthony S. Niedwiecki, and Karen Bravo.

 

Charleston Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

For the first time in thirteen years, the Charleston School of Law invites inquiries, nominations, and applications from experienced leaders and accomplished legal educators for the position of its Dean.

Located in the heart of the #1 city in America, the Charleston School of Law was founded in 2003 with the motto, Pro Bono Populi. Through a commitment to experiential learning and public service, Charleston Law has consistently achieved its objective to deliver exceptional legal education and prepare graduates to provide legal services “for the good of people.” Since Charleston Law’s first class graduated in 2007, its students have contributed over 400,000 hours of pro bono legal service across the nation and its alumni are licensed to practice in 43 states and jurisdictions. Building on its reputation for classroom excellence and recognized for its special student-faculty relationship, Charleston Law currently boasts a diverse student body from approximately 260 undergraduate institutions across the United States and around the world. The faculty is consistently recognized for building meaningful relationships with students through dynamic classroom instruction and a genuine open-door policy. The faculty’s publication history includes contributions to academic journals, classroom texts, and practitioner resources. Charleston Law also enjoys a close relationship with the bench and the bar.

The next Dean of the Charleston School of Law will serve as its chief academic officer and will successfully lead the school and its stakeholders through its 2020-2021 ABA site visit, provide steady guidance towards permanent non-profit status, and initiate a robust program of capital development. This individual will readily assimilate to the school’s unique student-centric culture. Doing so, the new Dean will advance strategic partnerships and relationships with students, faculty, alumni, practitioners, judges, community leaders, regional colleges, and prospective students to promote the school’s growing brand and reputation to the broad legal community and prospective students. Through vision and tenacity, the successful candidate will be dedicated to service and community involvement to accelerate the school’s ongoing upward trajectory in admission criteria, enhanced selectivity, and increased bar passage. Working alongside the faculty and administration, Charleston Law’s next Dean will enhance the school’s prominence and distinctive character through continuation of the collaborative and successful relationships established and promoted by the school’s current Dean who will be returning to the faculty. In embracing such relationships, the new Dean will develop, organize, and oversee ongoing programs and implement new initiatives to meet the compelling opportunities of a law school on the rise in the changing legal profession.

Tennessee Law Seeks Dean

This just in (and further details here):

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Law (UT Law), to commence in the summer of 2020. As UT Law’s chief academic and administrative officer, the dean reports to the provost and will work closely with the vice provosts, deans of other academic colleges, and UT Law faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders, including members of the Tennessee bench and bar, in setting overall academic and strategic priorities for UT Law, allocating resources to move those priorities forward, and developing a community committed to student success.

The next dean will be an experienced and collaborative leader who will inherit a highly engaged and self-governing faculty and a dedicated staff, a strong student body, a supportive university administration, and a loyal alumni base. With these resources the dean will have the opportunity to expand an already successful fundraising and alumni-engagement program; to strengthen the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; to advance the reputation of the school locally, regionally, and nationally; and to maintain a community that is non-hierarchical, collaborative, and transparent for all its stakeholders.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate relevant experience in leadership positions of academic institutions. Ideal candidates will also have experience in leading, engaging, and inspiring a diverse community that equally values teaching, scholarship, and service. UT Law’s vision also includes expanding its stakeholder base and engagement across the University, with the public, and inside the legal profession. The successful candidate will also have effective relational and consensus-building skills, high emotional intelligence, and energy and enthusiasm.

Scott Brown, Former Senator, To Be Dean of New England Law

New England Law (the school's full official name) has announced that Scott Brown,  former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and current ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, will take over as dean and president of the freestanding law school at the end of 2020.  He will replace President John O'Brien who has helmed the school for over 30 years.  The announcement was not universally well received.  

Willamette Law Names Four Dean Finalists

Willamette University has announced the names of the four finalists in its search for a new law school dean.  They are Susan Bisom Rapp (Thomas Jefferson), David Yellen (Marist College, most recently), Brian Gallini (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville)  and Karen Bravo (Indiana University, Indianapolis).  

St. Mary's Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

St. Mary's University based in San Antonio, Texas, invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the Dean of St. Mary's University School of Law.
St. Mary's University School of Law has long been recognized as the premier private law school in south Texas. It now seeks to extend that reputation throughout the state of Texas, the Southwest, and nationally through strategic management of its opportunities, resources, and excellent alumni partners. The School of Law's next dean will inherit an outstanding market position, a thriving enrollment, and a community united in the shared goal of providing an outstanding legal education.

The School of Law resides within a University committed to its Catholic identity and to the heritage of its founding religious community, the Society of Mary (Marianist). Educating students for over 150 years, the University is the oldest institution of higher learning in San Antonio.
The School of Law has amassed a nationally recognized law faculty, a highly regarded LL.M. program, a premier law journal, and a reputation in the field of trial advocacy that is unparalleled in this or any region of the country. St. Mary’s University School of Law graduates are national and regional leaders, prominent lawyers, and outstanding academicians, among other vocations. St. Mary’s University School of Law has a commitment to diversity that is second to none in its law school admissions process, while maintaining, through unique and innovative on-campus programs, a strong bar passage rate measured against its Texas competition.