President and Dean

Albany Law School, President and Dean

Albany Law School, a private and independent law school based in Albany, New York, and known for its pioneering blend of practical education and critical scholarship, seeks applications and nominations for the position of President and Dean.

As the nation's oldest independent law school with alumni that include a United States President, two United States Supreme Court Justices, appellate judges, Fortune 500 CEOs and other prominent leaders and scholars, Albany Law School has earned its national reputation for excellence and is defined by its collegial community. Offering 18 areas of concentration for J.D. candidates, several dual-degree opportunities, LL.M. offerings, online graduate programs, and 3+3 accelerated programs, while maintaining an important affiliation with the University of Albany, Albany Law School plays a vital role in the higher education landscape of Upstate New York. Students, many of whom may not otherwise have had the opportunity to gain access to a legal education, thrive in a flexible, rigorous and experiential learning environment, and graduate prepared to make an immediate contribution as tomorrow’s leaders, engaged professionals, committed public servants, inspiring community change-agents, and creative problem solvers.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President and Dean will be a collaborative, transparent, student-centered, and strategic leader who guides faculty, staff, students, and processes with empathy and integrity. This person must have a track record of distinguished management and administration, and must possess a deep commitment to student success, faculty teaching and scholarly engagement and the organizational and leadership skills necessary to attract and retain human and financial resources. The ideal candidate should have a sophisticated understanding of the changing landscape of legal education, respect and appreciation for shared governance, and fundraising experience. Of critical importance is a commitment to fostering Albany Law School's mission to connect the classroom to the profession, government, and the community through experience-based learning, engaged scholarship, and a robust network of alumni and supporters.

The new President and Dean will need to lead the Albany Law School community in a collaborative effort to execute a strategic vision that builds upon the existing foundation of innovative and successful programs to further distinguish the school in the modern legal education landscape. Albany Law School's faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Board of Trustees are eager to work with a leader who is energetic, creative, supportive, and able to inspire the law school's diverse and highly engaged community. The new President and Dean must be committed to increasing diversity among students, faculty, and staff, and eager to promote its advantages to a variety of constituents. The new President and Dean will be expected to maintain and reinvigorate close relationships with the Albany Law School alumni and donor community to enhance current sources of revenue for the school while also identifying potential new ones.

The successful candidate will offer a proven record in management or administration suitable for appointment as President and Dean charged with oversight of a $46 million budget and 180 employees. The successful candidate will, at minimum, possess a J.D. degree or its equivalent, and will have an outstanding record of academic and professional accomplishment and demonstrated commitment to service, the legal profession, and the public.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. The leadership profile can be found at www.wittkieffer.com. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 17, 2022.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal by using the buttons below.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Werner Boel and Ashlee Winters Musser

AlbanyLawDean@wittkieffer.com

Albany Law School is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks applicants who reflect the diversity of our student body and community. We encourage applicants including first-gen professionals, women, applicants of color, LGBTQ, veterans, people with disabilities, and other members of systemically marginalized groups.