The Faculty Lounge

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

This just in:

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.

CJ Leigh Saufley Named Dean of Maine Law

The University of Maine system has selected Chief Justice Leigh Ingalis Saufley of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to be the new dean of its law school.  Saufleey, who has served as Maine's Chief Justice since 2001, will take over...next week.  One of the virtues of selecting a justice, it seems.  She holds a JD from the law school.

Charleston Law School Names Larry Cunningham Dean

Charleston School of Law announced this morning that Larry Cunningham, the associate dean for assessment and institutional effectiveness (and former vice-dean) at St. John's University School of Law, will become its next dean.  Cunningham holds a JD from Georgetown.  He will take over this summer.  

Deidré Keller Named Dean of Florida A&M Law

Florida A&M University College of Law has named Deidré Keller as its new dean. Keller, who is currently associate dean of academic affairs at Ohio Northern Law, holds a JD from Emory University.  

Eboni Nelson Named Dean of UConn Law

The University of Connecticut School of Law has announced that its new dean will be Eboni Nelson.  Nelson, who is currently the associate dean for academic affairs at the University of South Carolina School of Law, holds a JD from Harvard.  She takes over August 1.

Nova Southeastern Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

Nova Southeastern University (NSU), a private university experiencing great momentum in research and scholarship, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of dean of the Shepard Broad College of Law.

Founded in 1974, the Shepard Broad College of Law (NSU Law) is located on the university's main campus in Davie, Florida. The school is named after lawyer and philanthropist Shepard Broad, in recognition of his counsel, community leadership and financial support. NSU Law is a premier learning community focused on what students need to practice law in the complex, modern workplace. With degree and certificate programs for law students, paralegals, practicing lawyers, and professionals expanding their knowledge of law, NSU Law equips all students with the skills needed for professional success – today, tomorrow, and for decades to come. NSU Law brings students the very best legal education has to offer, from a group of faculty, mentors, clinical supervisors and administrators dedicated to seeing students flourish as part of the legal community. More information is available at www.law.nova.edu and www.nova.edu.

The dean of the NSU Law will be an inspiring, broad-minded leader and legal professional with a clear vision for maintaining and enhancing the excellence of NSU Law. The dean will also be a capable executive with skills in fiscal and human resources management as well as external relationship management that is critical for fundraising success. The dean must have the political acumen, powers of persuasion, commitment to inclusiveness, and authentic personal leadership style necessary to advance NSU Law and inspire its multiple stakeholders. The dean will work collaboratively with NSU administration, deans of other NSU colleges, faculty and staff to achieve NSU Law and university goals and reaffirming NSU’s Core Values. Proven experience as a leader of people and a successful track record as a legal educator (in the classroom, on the bench, before the judiciary or in government or non-profit service), manager, communicator and fundraiser are required for success within NSU Law. The dean will possess a J.D. and a record of accomplishments (academic or experiential) to qualify for tenure and appointment at the rank of Professor. For more information, please visit www.wittkieffer.com.

Karen Bravo Named Dean of Indiana-Indianapolis Law

IUPUI Chancellor Nasser H. Payda has announced that the next dean of Indiana - Indianapolis Law will be the school's very own vice dean, Karen Bravo.  Bravo, who takes over from retiring dean Andy Klein, has been on the faculty since 2004.  She holds a JD from Columbia and an LLM from NYU.