U of A Launches Dean Search for the School of Law

Russell A. Cothren

The search for the next dean of the School of Law is underway. Kate Mamiseishvili, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, is the chair of the search committee. 

"I'm excited to launch the dean search for the School of Law with Kate Mamiseishvili at the helm," said Provost Terry Martin. "Kate is a great leader, and I know she, along with the search committee, will find candidates who are best suited to advance the School of Law, further our research mission and support our service to the state as a land-grant institution."

The next dean of the School of Law will be a dynamic, strategic leader who will shape and support the law school's growth as part of the state's only university with high research activity. In addition, the next dean will build on the school's long tradition of legal scholarship and continue to build an inclusive program of legal education and strong relationships across campus and throughout the state.

The dean of the School of Law is an important member of the university's leadership team and will help advance the university's land-grant mission of teaching, discovery and service. As dean, this position reports to the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

The search for the dean of the School of Law is a national search. Individuals interested in the position can view the job description and apply here. Full consideration will be given to applications received by Sept. 1. Campus interviews are likely to be held in October and November 2023.

The search committee for the dean of the School of Law includes the following members:

• Kate Mamiseishvili, chair, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions
• Timothy Brooks, district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
• Steve Clowney, professor of law
• Tracy Deffebaugh, director of admissions for the School of Law
• Jane Duke, vice president, associate general counsel and chief compliance officer at Tyson Foods
• Caleb Griffin, assistant professor of law
• Kellie Knight, assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Foundation Relations
• Jill Lens, associate dean for research and faculty development and Robert A. Leflar Professor of Law
• Connie Lewis Lensing, counsel at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
• Tiffany Murphy, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law
• Lexi Robertson, president of the Student Bar Association
• Susan Schneider, William H. Enfield Professor of Law
• Eddie Walker, attorney at Walker Law Group PLC, Arkansas Bar Foundation member and Arkansas Bar Association delegate on the board of the American Bar Association
• Colleen Williams, associate librarian at Young Law Library
• Kay Brusca (support), executive assistant to the dean and chief of staff for the College of Education and Health Professions

To learn more about this position and the search process, visit the School of Law dean search website.

About the University of Arkansas School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. and is home to the nation's first LL.M. program in agriculture and food law. Led by nationally recognized faculty, the school offers students pro bono work, live client clinics, public service fellowships, competitions, and much more. Students also benefit from our location in one of the fastest growing, most livable, and economically vibrant regions in the U.S., and from our corporate externship partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. Our alumni have gone on to become judges, senators, and governors, and we serve communities throughout our state and nation through programs such as the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative. Our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified by the Six Pioneers, the first Black students to attend law school in the South. Follow us at @uarklaw.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.