Position Announcement

Position Announcement

Dean, Gonzaga University School of Law

Gonzaga University invites applications for the position of Dean of the School of Law.

Located in Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga University is a comprehensive private Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution dedicated to academic and professional excellence. The University, which enrolls approximately 7,700 students, maintains a deep commitment to its heritage, offering an education that blends theory and practice and which seeks to graduate lawyers committed to social justice and dedicated to providing the best possible legal services for others.

Founded in 1912, the School of Law has 36 full-time faculty members, a budget of $13.7 million, and a student body of approximately 520. The school is housed in a spectacular four-floor building, which includes state-of-the-art technology throughout its classrooms, offices, and library.

Gonzaga alumni occupy prominent places in public service and leading law firms in Washington and throughout the country.

The School of Law provides students with a well-rounded legal education that prepares them for practice in a variety of settings. Some of its more notable programs, centers, and institutes include:

• The Thomas More Scholarship Program, providing full scholarships to talented students to help them pursue careers in public interest.
• The Gonzaga Center for Law and Justice, home to University Legal Assistance, an award-winning clinical law program that gives students hands-on law experience while providing critical legal services to the indigent.
• The Commercial Law Center, dedicated to teaching students the knowledge and skills needed to serve as transactional lawyers.
• The Indian Law Program, exposing students to the unique body of federal, state and tribal law that has evolved around tribal sovereignty; and the Institute for Development of Economic Policy for Indigenous People, promoting policy and the rule of law as a foundation for building sustainable economic systems in Indian Country.
• The Institute for Law Teaching and Learning, co-sponsored with Washburn University School of Law, helping law professors throughout the country to teach the law with effectiveness to the present generation of students.

Gonzaga seeks candidates for Dean of the Law School who will actively contribute to the University’s mission, foster Jesuit ideals within the School of Law, and enhance the school’s prestige, profile, and recognition. Gonzaga is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or sexual preference. Gonzaga welcomes candidates that will enhance the school’s commitment to diversity.

Candidates must possess:

• A law degree from a distinguished law school.
• Personal and professional integrity with the virtues of wisdom, courage, honesty, candor, fortitude, prudence, and a sense of justice.
• A commitment to high-quality legal education.
• Outstanding leadership abilities.
• High energy and a professional presence.
• A thorough understanding and appreciation of the leadership requirements of an academic institution.
• Strong administrative and managerial skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Potential to be an effective fundraiser.

The University seeks candidates who also have:

• Teaching experience at an ABA-accredited law school.
• A second professional degree.
• Experience practicing law.
• Managerial or administrative experience, preferably in an academic setting.
• Successful experience in fundraising in the public or private sector.
• Authored legal scholarship.

All qualified candidates will be considered and will be subject to the same selection process, regardless of current or prior affiliation with Gonzaga or the law school. The Search Committee will review applications on a rolling basis and plans to schedule interviews in the fall of 2010. Reviews of applications will continue until the position is filled, but for the most complete consideration, candidates should submit, a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and three references prior to the Search Committee’s next meeting on August 30, 2010.

Confidential inquiries can be made to the Search Committee Chair. All applications will be held in confidence. Current employers and references will not be contacted without prior notification to and agreement of the candidate.

Communication and submission of materials by email as pdf attachments is encouraged.

Additional information about Gonzaga University is available at www.gonzaga.edu.

Applications, nominations, and further inquiries should be directed to the Chair.

J. Donald Curran
Chair, Law Dean Search Committee
601 West Main, Suite 1212
Spokane, WA 99201-0684
(509) 455-9500
(509) 623-1446 (fax)
Email

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