Serving as a member of the Executive Council, the dean of the Law School reports to the president and provides leadership in all aspects of the operation of the Law School. The dean leads the Law School with a commitment to academic excellence, a focus on fundraising efforts, and active engagement with alumni and the community. The dean is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Law School. The dean ensures the Law School functions effectively as a school of Lewis & Clark and participates fully in the academic and administrative coordination among the schools and with central administration.
The dean must have the ability to handle significant administrative responsibilities; possess strong public speaking and writing skills; be well-organized and detail-oriented; and have extensive independent and broad decision-making ability. The dean must be comfortable making financial and operational decisions related to revenue, enrollment, expenses, assets, and capital projects.
Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Provide leadership, management, vision, and strategic direction for the Law School.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with the Law School Board of Visitors and the College Board of Trustees.
- Serve as a full member of the president’s Executive Council, providing leadership and setting policy for the entire institution.
- Oversee and guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of short-range and long-range plans for the Law School.
- Identify emerging academic and professional issues and recommend appropriate program responses to ensure that curriculum and related resources are current, relevant, and innovative.
- Select, train, supervise, evaluate, and monitor the performance of employees.
- Encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among employees in an inclusive working environment.
- Oversee and interact with faculty, including appointment and oversight of all Law School faculty committees; facilitate faculty recruitment and retention; and with the faculty, establish and implement law school admissions objectives.
- Participate in professional activities and ceremonial functions.
- Provide leadership in bringing conferences and speakers to the School, including the commencement speaker.
Fundraising and Community Engagement
- Oversee development, alumni, and communications department functions and lead fundraising efforts on behalf of the Law School, securing major gifts and achieving annual fundraising targets as established by the president.
- Meet with alumni and donors both locally and around the country serving as a principal liaison to the Law School alumni and donor community.
- Participate in alumni, donor, community outreach activities and public service.
- Represent the Law School in the legal community and enhance its reputation in the Portland metro area and beyond.
Operational Administration
- Oversee the senior administrative team of the Law School, including the associate dean of faculty, associate dean of students, associate dean of finance, the law library associate dean, career services assistant dean, associate dean of communications and development, and associate deans of environmental law and animal law programs.
- Implement and manage all budgets in accordance with established College standards and guidelines.
- With faculty input and approval, submit a recommended annual budget to the president, College Chief Financial
Officer, and the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees.
- Oversee and ensure compliance with regional accreditors and the ABA.
- Foster the expansion of faculty research and related activities within the Law School.
- Provide faculty with opportunities for advancement and promote an intellectual, innovative, and cooperative atmosphere and a culture of faculty excellence.
- Oversee all Law School outcomes including (but not limited to) bar passage and career placement.
- Ensure that established policies are followed in the resolution of student, faculty, and staff complaints
Posted: December 5, 2023