Dean

Dean, Golden Gate University School of Law 

Position Description 

Founded in 1901, Golden Gate University (GGU) School of Law has been at the forefront of providing access to the legal profession for diverse and historically underrepresented communities for over a century.  Situated in the heart of the financial district in downtown San Francisco, the School of Law offers an unparalleled education through its renowned tax, intellectual property, criminal law, and clinical programs. The School of Law seeks a strategic and visionary Dean to lead GGU into the future with its newly established hybrid-JD program, its continuing ties to the Silicon Valley tech industry through the McCarthy Institute, and the School’s demonstrated commitment to diversity, racial and economic equality, and social justice.                                                                           

GGU Law offers full-time day and part-time evening programs leading to a JD, as well as a doctorate in International Legal Studies and LLM degrees in seven legal specializations.  We offer the only LLM in Estate Planning and Trust and Probate Law in the western United States. GGU’s Tax Law LLM program was ranked in the top ten in the country by the National Jurist.  GGU is also the home of the prestigious McCarthy Institute for trademark law and branding, the Environmental Law & Justice Clinic, the Women’s Employment Rights Clinic, and the Veterans Legal Advocacy Center.  The National Jurist recently ranked GGU the best provider of practical skills training among Northern California law schools.  Legal education at GGU Law is greatly enriched by the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students:  62% of our students come from racially diverse backgrounds, 64% are women, 11% identify as LGBTQIA, and 48% are first-generation college or law school students.

The successful candidate for this role should be an experienced and collaborative leader who will inherit a highly engaged faculty, dedicated staff, diverse student body, supportive university administration, and loyal alumni base.  With these resources, an ideal candidate will have an opportunity to guide strategic planning that identifies and strengthens GGU’s distinct qualities that differentiate the school in the legal market; grow our fundraising and alumni engagement; foster a diverse and inclusive campus environment; and advance the reputation of the school locally, regionally, and nationally.  Candidates must hold a JD from an ABA-accredited institution and be the author of scholarly work that merits appointment as a full professor of law with tenure. 

Ideal candidates will also have experience in leading, engaging, and inspiring a culturally and racially diverse student body, faculty, staff or community organization.  Candidates should be ready to engage with a community that values teaching, scholarship, and service; have an understanding of the San Francisco/Bay Area culture and legal market; and be willing to participate in thoughtful dialogue with the campus community and stakeholders.  The candidate would ideally also have experience with implementing on-line education platforms as the school further develops its hybrid J.D. program.  The successful candidate will also have effective relational and consensus-building skills, high emotional intelligence, energy, and enthusiasm.

To apply for this position, please visit http://www.ggu.edu/jobs.  Candidates must submit a cover letter with a short summary describing how their qualifications meet or exceed the position’s requirements; a curriculum vita; and a list of five or more business references with contact information (including e-mail address). All application materials, which will be kept strictly confidential, should be submitted electronically (Adobe PDF or MS Word format).  

Review of applications will begin in the fall with strongest consideration given to those received by October 1, 2020.  The Law School Dean Search Committee strongly encourages nominations and applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. GGU Law is fully accredited by the ABA and AALS, and Golden Gate University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Direct inquiries and nominations to:   

Professor Samuel F. Ernst, Law Dean Search Committee Chair 

lawdeansearch@ggu.edu 

Golden Gate University, 536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105    

Supplemental Information

In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third party background check.

Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all.

University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, taking a protected leave (e.g. family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws.

The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices.  The University welcomes and encourages applications from all especially women, minorities, people of color, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQI community.

Golden Gate University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Golden Gate University Report, please go to http://www.ggu.edu/media/employee/documents/facilities/street-smarts-annual-security-report.pdf.

Screen Out Page

Thank you for your interest in Golden Gate University. We are currently reviewing applications and expect to schedule interviews in the next couple of weeks. If you are selected for an interview, you can expect a phone call from the hiring manager for this position. Thank you again for your interest in our organization. We do appreciate the time you invested in the application process.

Link:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=30204&clientkey=1A449B35167BB40706C055A54E4FB0DA&session_nonce=15e720845c5026e071dfabe55d01402e