School of Law Dean Search Announced: October 18, 2023

Published October 18, 2023

Dear University Community:

I am pleased to share that UB has launched the search for the next dean of the School of Law. Kemper E. Lewis, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is serving as chair of the committee. Under Dean Lewis’s leadership and with the support of the search committee members, I am confident that we will recruit a strong pool of candidates for this important academic leadership role.

Composed of faculty from the School of Law, as well as other UB and community members with relevant professional interests and expertise, the search committee includes:

  • Elizabeth Adelman, Vice Dean for Legal Information Services, Director, Charles B. Sears Law Library, School of Law
  • Mark Bartholomew, Professor, School of Law
  • Michael E. Cain, Professor, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
  • Matthew Dimick, Professor, School of Law
  • Lucinda M. Finley, Frank G. Raichle Professor of Trial and Appellate Advocacy, School of Law
  • James A. Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Bridget and Thomas Black Professor, School of Law
  • Mishuana Goeman, Professor and Chair, Indigenous Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Deja Graham, J.D. Student, School of Law
  • Robert Granfield, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs; Professor, Sociology
  • Michael J. Hecker, President, UB Law Alumni Association; Partner, Environmental Practice Leader, Hodgson Russ LLP
  • Angelyn McDuff, Director of the LAWR Program, Lecturer in Law, Legal Analysis, Writing and Research, School of Law
  • Lisa M. Mueller, Vice Dean for Communications, School of Law
  • Athena D. Mutua, Professor, Floyd H. & Hilda L. Hurst Faculty Scholar, School of Law
  • Christopher A. Wightman, Chair, UB Law Dean’s Advisory Council; Partner, PJT Camberview

We have secured the services of Russell Reynolds Associates to assist the university in recruiting the best possible candidate. Dr. Jett Pihakis will be the principal from the firm working on this search. Dr. Pihakis has significant experience in recruiting leaders to UB at the cabinet, decanal and department chair levels.

I am grateful to the members of this search committee for their service and support in recruiting an outstanding individual for the next dean of the School of Law. The committee will begin their work this month. We anticipate having a new dean identified in the spring semester.

Throughout the coming months, Dean Lewis will update the campus community regarding the search progress. Information will also be available on the search website.

Sincerely,

A. Scott Weber

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs