Dean of the College of Law

Located in the beautiful Tampa Bay area of Florida, Stetson University College of Law seeks a visionary and innovative dean to join the law school community in its mission to provide future lawyers, judges, and other professionals with the skills and values to improve the world.

Florida’s first law school, Stetson University College of Law enjoys national preeminence in trial advocacy, where it has earned a #1 national ranking in U.S. News & World Report for 19 of the last 21 years. Stetson has been ranked second among law schools for legal writing by U.S. News & World Report (2019) and has consistently ranked among the top six legal writing programs since the inception of the Legal Writing rankings. Consistent with its excellence in advocacy and legal writing, the College of Law boasts highly successful trial team, moot court, and dispute resolution programs. The College of Law holds regional and national titles in all three fields and was the inaugural recipient of the ABA Competitions Award in 2018.

The College of Law is recognized nationally and internationally for leadership in Elder Law, Higher Education Law and Policy, International Law, Caribbean Law, Legal Communication, Social Justice, Veterans Law, and Biodiversity Law. For more than a century, the College of Law has provided the educational foundation for outstanding legal professionals whose contributions to the practice of law have improved the human condition. Stetson faculty care very deeply about supporting each of the students in their charge. They strive to instill in them the values of professionalism, excellence, and integrity that make them worthy of the title of Stetson Lawyer. Stetson’s law faculty are also influential scholars and leaders, serving in prominent positions within the academy and the profession. Through these efforts, as well as their pro bono and philanthropic activities, Stetson faculty make significant contributions to the profession locally, nationally, and globally.  More information about the law school can be found at www.stetson.edu/law.

The College of Law seeks a dean who can demonstrate significant successful leadership experience, a commitment to the College of Law's mission and values, familiarity with legal education, and the ability to cultivate productive relationships in support of the college's strategic priorities. A law degree, record of scholarly achievement and leadership in the field that warrants appointment at the rank of Professor of Law with tenure is required.

The dean of Stetson's College of Law is primarily responsible for coordinating and implementing a strategic vision in alignment with Stetson University's overall educational mission. Because the College of Law’s campus is located 150 miles from the historic Stetson University campus, the dean also exercises an unusually broad span of leadership and oversight of the College of Law's educational structure, programs and personnel, physical plant, recruitment and admissions, alumni and volunteer networks, and fundraising. The dean of the College of Law reports to Stetson University's Executive Vice President and Provost, and is a member of the senior academic leadership team for the University.    

The College of Law is an integral part of Stetson University which is ranked #5 in the South as a top tier regional comprehensive university with a longstanding commitment to excellence in liberal arts undergraduate education, outstanding professional graduate programs, and diversity and inclusion. Stetson University is actively engaged in implementing a visionary strategic plan that has led to increased enrollment, a successful capital campaign, exciting new programs, and a more diverse student body, faculty, and staff. The dean of the College of Law faces a unique opportunity to capitalize on this success, partner with Stetson's other colleges and programs, and build on its active role and prominent position in the Tampa Bay metro area, state, and region.

Applications, nominations and inquiries may be directed in confidence to Lucy A. Leske or Veena Abraham, Esq., the Witt/Kieffer consultants assisting Stetson University with this search, at StetsonLaw@wittkieffer.com.   Electronic submissions are required and should include a letter of interest, current resume, and a list of references with contact information.  Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

Stetson University, an Equal Opportunity Employer, affirms the values and goals of diversity and strongly encourages the applications of all candidates, including women and candidates from historically under-represented groups.