Fordham University, a private Catholic, Jesuit research university, firmly rooted in the life of New York City and with an enrollment of approximately 17,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of Fordham Law.
Long recognized as an innovative leader and for its commitment to service, teaching, and influential scholarship, Fordham Law has positioned itself at the forefront of legal education today, dedicated to intellectual inquiry and debate, upholding the highest ethics, and making a difference for the legal profession and for society at large. Fordham Law is committed to preparing its student body to excel in meeting the challenges of today’s rapidly changing legal profession, while also building the foundation for extraordinary lives of professional growth and service. Fordham Law welcomes students and faculty of all backgrounds, religions, and orientations, and emphasizes excellence, ethical values, and active dedication to public service consistent with centuries of Jesuit commitment to education and service. Fordham Law takes seriously its mission “in the Service of Others,” and therefore views the law not solely as a rigorous academic discipline at which it aims to excel both in teaching and research, but also as a force for serving others and positively changing society. That mission is reflected in all of its efforts – inside and outside the classroom.
Among Fordham Law's greatest assets are its loyal and supportive alumni. The Fordham Law Alumni Association is one of the largest law school alumni associations in the country, thanks to Fordham Law's outstanding alumni. Fordham Law's graduates sit on federal and state benches throughout the nation, practice law in large corporate firms and small family practices, prosecute and defend criminal cases, represent the government at the national, state and local levels, lead businesses, advise corporations, advocate on behalf of public interest groups and serve in a myriad of ways advancing society and the nation in the practice of law and various leadership roles. It counts among its alumni many distinguished practitioners, judges, politicians, entrepreneurs, and faculty at leading law schools. There are over 23,000 living alumni of Fordham Law worldwide, with the highest concentration of practicing alumni in New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
With its commitments to intellectual and professional excellence, outstanding faculty scholarship, public service, student-centered learning, and pedagogical innovation – both in its traditional full-time and part-time, evening programs and in its many certificate and degree programs for those not seeking a J.D. degree – Fordham Law has become an exemplar for legal education in the twenty-first century. Fordham Law’s expanded international curriculum and study-abroad programs provide solid preparation for the increasingly global practice of law, and the nationally recognized Centers and Institutes bring together transformative teaching, top ranked research, and public interest and service concentrations to make a difference for people in need. Fordham Law's accomplishments and recognitions reflect the strength of its momentum in pedagogy and curricular reform, scholarship, inclusion and diversity, community service, the pursuit of justice on behalf of the underrepresented and marginalized, and the strengthening of the rule of law both locally and on a global scale.
Fordham Law is part of the larger Fordham University community that advances knowledge and educates students who will go on to lead their professions with competence, compassion, moral commitment and courage. At a time when the world needs leaders capable of addressing multifaceted problems with innovation, empathy and expertise, Fordham Law and Fordham University offer programs that hone students’ capacities for critical thinking, help them to discern and refine their values and prepare them for meaningful careers and lives well lived. The entire Fordham community strives to contribute to the well-being of New York City, the nation and the planet through education and research for the common good. Fordham Law and Fordham University seek to engage deeply and authentically with its local communities to promote mutual learning and solidarity. Fordham Law and Fordham University are committed to making the pursuit of racial, economic, environmental and social justice an inextricable and interdependent part of its academic excellence.
The next Dean of Fordham Law will be an unflappable, humanistic, devoted, energetic, nimble, and approachable leader with a track record of distinguished accomplishments. This person will possess a demonstrated dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and a genuine understanding and appreciation of Fordham Law's deeply rooted commitment to public service. The successful candidate will also possess the personal and managerial skills necessary to attract and steward financial and human resources. The next leader will have a deep commitment to innovation in legal education, student success, faculty development and scholarship, and collegial leadership. The successful candidate will have a sophisticated understanding of the changing landscape of legal education and a vision for Fordham Law's role in the future of legal education. The Dean will be an excellent communicator, a successful teacher and mentor, will excel at scholarship and research, and will be a proven manager or administrator.
The successful candidate will, at minimum, possess a J.D. degree or its equivalent and will have an outstanding record of accomplishment in the legal academy, the practice of law, or the judiciary, demonstrating a level of intellectual leadership and accomplishment warranting appointment at the rank of Professor of Law. More information can be found at www.wittkieffer.com.
WittKieffer is assisting Fordham University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 13, 2023 and submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Werner Boel, LL.M, Robin Mamlet and Ashlee Winters Musser
FordhamLawDean@wittkieffer.com
The target salary range for this position is between $470,000 and $570,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.