AUWCL Professor Jenny Roberts Appointed Dean of Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Champion of criminal justice education returning to her New York roots
American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) congratulates Professor Jenny Roberts as she takes on the role of Dean of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. While her departure is a loss for the AUWCL community, it signifies an exciting new chapter for the distinguished scholar and advocate in criminal justice. Roberts returns to her New York roots to continue her legacy of groundbreaking contributions to legal education.
"While we are incredibly sad to bid farewell to Professor Roberts, we are thrilled for her as she takes on this next chapter of her journey as the dean of the School of Law at Hofstra University," said AUWCL Dean Roger Fairfax. "Jenny’s profound commitment to legal education and her trailblazing work in criminal justice make her an exceptional choice for that important role. I look forward to welcoming her into the national community of law deans."
Throughout her tenure at AUWCL, Roberts has left an indelible mark in various capacities. As the co-director of the Criminal Justice Clinic and a Professor of Law, she has been instrumental in shaping the legal education of countless students. From 2014-18, she served as the associate dean for scholarship, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to academic excellence. Her service on committees such as Appointments, Intellectual Life, and the university-wide Committee on Scholarship underscores her commitment to the academic community.
"American University Washington College of Law has been an intellectual home, where I had the privilege of teaching outstanding students, alongside dedicated faculty and staff, for almost fifteen years," Roberts said. "I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a robust and thriving clinical program –one of the things that drew me to AUWCL."
Nationally recognized as an expert in criminal justice, Robert's insightful commentary has graced media outlets, including interviews about the Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd on MSNBC and CBS News. Her scholarly contributions are equally impressive, with numerous articles on topics such as misdemeanors and plea bargaining. Roberts has co-authored a treatise on the collateral consequences of criminal convictions, and her work has been featured in prestigious publications such as the Yale Law Journal, Cornell Law Review, and the Annual Review of Criminology. Her scholarship has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous lower federal and high state courts.
“Jenny Roberts is a scholar and a nationally recognized leader in legal academia,” Hofstra University President Susan Poser said in a news release. “She is exactly the right person to continue the standard of excellence and to propel Hofstra Law to the next level. We have found an outstanding leader and look forward to welcoming her to Hofstra University.”
In addition to her scholarly pursuits, Roberts is deeply committed to advocacy and service. She currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Plea Bargaining Institute. Previously, she was co-President of the Clinical Legal Education Association, the nation's largest association of law professors. Roberts also has been an active participant in initiatives by the Association of American Law Schools and the American Bar Association.
"Returning to my roots is a particularly special aspect of this new chapter for me, being from New York, where most of my family is located," Roberts shared. "I am honored and excited to take on this role at Hofstra University, and I look forward to contributing to the vibrant legal community there."
Before her time at AUWCL, Roberts taught at Syracuse University and in NYU Law School's Lawyering program. She also served as a Senior Research Fellow at NYU's Center for Research in Crime & Justice. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan and served as a law clerk in the Southern District of New York.
"The AUWCL community is immensely proud of Professor Roberts and her achievements. This decanal appointment at Hofstra marks a significant milestone in her impressive career," Fairfax said. "Jenny’s steadfast dedication to legal education, scholarship, and advocacy has served as an inspiration to us here at WCL. We have no doubt she will continue to inspire students and colleagues alike in her exciting new capacity at Hofstra."
Story by Keith Pierce, APR