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University of Chicago Law School Dean To Step Down

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:36 AM - By Kashmir Hill

dean university of chicago saul levmore above the law.jpgHello, job seekers. There will soon be an opening at the University of Chicago Law School. Dean Saul Levmore circulated an e-mail to the school yesterday announcing his decision to step down. Here’s an excerpt from the e-mail (which is reprinted in full, after the jump):

I have long said that eight years is about the longest a dean should serve, and I am now in that eighth year. Consequently, President Zimmer will soon ask a faculty committee at the Law School to begin the search process for a new Dean.

Chicago joins a host of law schools currently searching for deans, as we noted recently in our post on Dean Harold Koh possibly leaving Yale. Dean Levmore says he plans to “resume life as a full-time member of the faculty” (of which his wife, Julie Roin, is a part).

Dean Levmore’s departure is completely voluntary, according to one Chicago source with a favorable view of Levmore’s tenure. As for his successor, a few U of C alums we spoke with are hoping for a prominent conservative from the outside with strong Chicago ties (e.g., prior service on the faculty).

Since we can’t predict the future, let’s take a moment to look back on some of Levmore’s past appearances on Above The Law:

  • He dumped wireless in the classroom.
  • He held onto U of C’s (rather confusing) grading system, resisting the pass-fail grade reform trend that swept through other top law schools.
  • Perhaps most importantly, back in 2006, he was a nominee for Law School Dean Hotties (noting that Dean Levmore “rocks the chrome dome,” and referring to him as “a solar-powered love machine”). Unfortunately, he came in second to last in the B Bracket.

    • What else do you consider to be part of the Levmore legacy at the University of Chicago? Feel free to discuss in the comments.

    E-MAIL FROM UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL DEAN SAUL LEVMORE

    Dear Colleagues and Members of Our Community,

    I have long said that eight years is about the longest a dean should serve, and I am now in that eighth year. Consequently, President Zimmer will soon ask a faculty committee at the Law School to begin the search process for a new Dean. In making this announcement now, the President, the Provost, and I allow the Law School ample time to search for its next Dean. The likely starting date would be in the Summer of 2010, but I stand ready to end my term as dean before then if the law faculty, President, and Trustees find their next agent quickly. Between now and then, there is much to do, and I promise my full energy to the initiatives underway as well as to new ideas for the improvement of a place that has never stood still despite its greatness. I do, however, look forward to resuming life as a full-time member of the faculty, embarking on other adventures, and teaching and writing about new interests.

    It is all too common in these announcements to list the buildings renovated, the capital campaigns completed, the faculty hired, and the programs launched. We should be proud of such things, but I prefer to associate myself with the terrific and important work done by faculty colleagues and with the great students who have blossomed here during my time as dean. Ours is a Law School that cannot possibly be accused of simply giving its stamp of approval to talented inputs, and we should take special pride in the value we have added as a community to the people and ideas that pass through here.

    Saul Levmore
    University of Chicago Law School

    Earlier: Law School Dean Hotties: The B Bracket
    Grade Reform Comes to the University of Chicago? Not So Fast My Friends
    First… Or Another Update: Hey Teacher, Leave Those Kids (and Their Internet) Alone!
    Dean Koh to State Department?
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    Posted in: Law School Deans, University of Chicago Law School

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