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Syracuse University, a private, educationally innovative, and globally engaged R1 research university, invites inquiries, applications, and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Law. Founded in 1895, the College of Law is committed to offering a rigorous and practical legal education that prepares students for modern legal practice and to shaping law and public policy through cutting-edge scholarship.

A leader in legal education, Syracuse College of Law offers students the opportunity to earn their JD through two routes: (1) its long-standing Residential Program (JDr) and (2) JDinteractive (JDi), the nation's first fully interactive, primarily online law degree program. In addition, the College of Law offers a Masters of Laws (LL.M.) for foreign lawyers, an accelerated Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program for Foreign Law Graduates, a LLM in advocacy, and an S.J.D.

The College of Law capitalizes on Syracuse University's strength as a major research University by offering JD students the opportunity to pursue a variety of joint degree options, including a joint degree with the nation's leading public policy program (the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, located a five-minute walk from the College of Law) and the nation's first online joint JD/MBA. As of Fall 2024, the College of Law will also offer a joint JD/LLM in advocacy, allowing students to more fully benefit from the College's long-standing strength in advocacy education. Additionally, the College capitalizes on the University's subject matter strengths with four centers of excellence recognized in its new strategic plan: disability law and policy, national security, innovation and technology commercialization, and advocacy.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean should be a strategic, collaborative, and communicative leader who guides faculty, staff, and students with empathy, integrity, and enthusiasm. The Dean should have a track record of distinguished management and administration and be deeply committed to student success, high-quality education, scholarship, and public engagement. The Dean should also have the organizational and leadership skills necessary to attract and retain human and financial resources and strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for engaging—in-person and online—with all College of Law constituencies. In addition, the ideal candidate should have a sophisticated understanding of the changing landscape of legal education, respect and appreciation for shared governance, fundraising experience, and a strong commitment to the College's role as an innovator in legal education.

The Dean will be responsible for leading the College of Law community to execute a strategic vision that collaboratively builds upon its foundation of innovative and successful programs to further distinguish the College within legal academia. Syracuse College of Law faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Board of Advisors look forward to working with a leader who is energetic, creative, supportive, and able to inspire its diverse and highly engaged community. The Dean must be committed to promoting diversity among students, faculty, and staff and eager to promote its advantages to a variety of constituents. The Dean will be expected to maintain and reinvigorate close relationships with College alumni and donors to enhance current revenue sources while also identifying new ones. More information can be found at wittkieffer.com.

The successful candidate will have a record of excellence in leadership, strong management skills, a J.D. degree or its equivalent, and demonstrated commitment to service, the legal profession, and the public.

WittKieffer is assisting Syracuse University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 11, 2024 and submitted through WittKieffer's candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: