Dean & Leadership

We are searching for the next dean of American University Washington College of Law!

American University (AU) seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial, and energetic leader to serve as Dean of the Washington College of Law (WCL), commencing no later than July 1, 2021. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a large, vibrant, creative, and forward-looking law school in the nation’s capital. WCL’s global preeminence and distinctive brand are anchored in the quality of its academic programs, the scholarly achievements of its faculty, the diversity of its community, and its impact on the challenges facing the legal professions and society today.

AU is a private doctoral university chartered by Congress in 1893. Today, AU enrolls about 14,000 students from every U.S. state and more than 140 countries. Among the university’s more than 900 full-time faculty and 700 adjunct faculty are policy makers, diplomats, journalists, artists, scientists, and business leaders. AU offers a rich array of undergraduate and undergraduate programs through eight colleges and schools. 

WCL was founded in 1896 by two pioneering women at a time when women were largely excluded from the legal profession. That tradition continues in the dedication to the professional advancement and well-being of all students, alumni, faculty, and staff and the commitment to “Championing What Matters.” Today, the 8.5 acre, LEED Gold certified campus a block from the DC metro features 5 courtrooms, light-filled classrooms, and state-of-the-art technology. WCL enrolls about 1,300 students from across the country and the world in the J.D., S.J.D., M.L.S., and L.L.M. programs, including one of the oldest international LL.M. programs in the U.S., with alumni in every region of the globe. WCL is ranked among the 40 most diverse law schools in the U.S. The faculty of over 70 full-time and a robust cohort of adjunct faculty are leaders in the D.C. legal community, ranked among the top 50 law faculties for scholarly distinction, and deeply involved in international, federal, state, and local lawmaking and regulation. A dedicated staff of over 150 full-time employees supports our academic, professional development, and research missions. U.S. News rankings place WCL #2 in Clinical Training, #4 in International Law, #4 in Trial Advocacy, #10 in Intellectual Property Law, #11 in Health Care Law, and #6 in Part-Time J.D. Programs. QS World recognizes WCL as one of the top 100 law schools in the world. 

As the chief executive of WCL, the dean reports to AU’s provost and is responsible for all activities within the law school. The dean provides strategic, intellectual, and creative leadership to faculty, staff, and students and is responsible for fundraising, market research, budget planning, internal administration, and program development efforts. The dean works closely with faculty, staff, and other AU leaders to build consensus and advance the law school and the university. The dean’s work must reflect deep respect for both the practice and scholarly aspects of legal education. The dean must emphasize the central importance of inclusive excellence and strive to achieve the best possible climate, practices, and outcomes with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition, the dean is a visible force on the world stage.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

For more information, visit WittKieffer. To nominate a candidate or make an inquiry, contact Werner Boel, LL.M. and Veena Abraham, J.D. at AUlawdean@wittkieffer.com. Applications may be emailed to AUlawdean@wittkieffer.com or submitted via WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

WittKieffer is assisting American University in this search. Application materials can be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal or by email. Review of candidate materials will continue until the position is filled, with priority given to applications received by December 4, 2020. Confidential nominations and inquiries can be directed to Werner Boel, LL.M. and Veena Abraham, J.D. at AUlawdean@wittkieffer.com.

For more information, visit WittKieffer for the WCL dean search.