The University of Kentucky (UK) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Its mission is to be an outstanding public law school by preparing students to be lawyers and leaders to serve the country and the Commonwealth, produce widely recognized legal scholarship, and contribute to the advancement of justice. The Rosenberg College of Law takes this responsibility seriously and fulfills its mission by engaging communities across Kentucky to serve our community and the profession by enhancing public understanding of law, engaging in law reform, delivering continuing legal education, and providing legal services to the indigent.
The Dean will develop a vision for the Rosenberg College of Law and provide leadership in matters related to planning, curriculum, research and scholarship, and the Rosenberg College of Law's budget. The Dean will also engage with faculty, students, alumni, the legal community, and state and federal governmental officials to advance the goals of the Rosenberg College of Law and University. The successful candidate must possess a J.D. and/or terminal degree in their field of study of law and must qualify for appointment at the rank of tenured full professor in the Rosenberg College of Law. The candidate must also possess a significant and progressive record of leadership in a professional setting including but not limited to higher education, government, public interest, or business. They will also demonstrate a commitment and ability to advance the University’s philosophy and practice relative to creating an inclusive environment. Preference will be given to candidates who possess leadership experience in the legal academy and a sustained record of excellence in research and scholarship, service, and teaching commensurate with a comprehensive research university. Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a readiness to advance the Rosenberg College of Law through fundraising and building external partnerships.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
▪ Administering the educational, research, and service work of the Rosenberg College of Law, and its efficient conduct and management in all matters not specifically charged in the University Governing Regulations.
▪ Managing the Rosenberg College of Law's budget, including management of all scholarship funds, and positioning it for success under the University’s financial allocation models that incentivize institutional priorities such as student growth and credit hours and success, among other factors.
▪ Working collaboratively with faculty and supporting and encouraging their efforts in scholarship, teaching, and service, with an informed understanding of the unique requirements professional schools have in these areas.
▪ Bringing a deep understanding of the changes taking place in legal education and the legal profession, while overseeing, with the faculty, curriculum development, including programs to monitor and assess learning outcomes of students.
▪ Leading with integrity, embracing leadership as a public service, and formulating, articulating, and executing the development and implementation of a strategic shared vision that operationalizes the values of UK and will position the Rosenberg College of Law as among the highest rated in the country.
▪ Leading in the delivery of curriculum of the Rosenberg College of Law and the quality of the instruction given therein.
▪ Leading and fostering a community of engaged legal scholars.
▪ Ensuring that the University Governing Regulations, Administrative Regulations, Rules of the University Senate, and the Bylaws of the Rosenberg College of Law are enforced and utilized.
▪ Fostering an environment of shared governance by building relations with all campus communities while shepherding a college culture of collaboration.
▪ Emphasizing wellness and well-being for all faculty, staff, and students.
▪ Driving enhancements that improve the student experience, including academic achievement, affordability, and career preparedness for the challenges and rigors of practicing law.
▪ Ensuring inclusion is prioritized to create an environment of belonging for faculty, staff, and students of all identities and perspectives.
▪ Serving as an ex officio member of all college committees defined in the Rules of the Rosenberg College of Law.
▪ Supervising direct reports including the associate deans, assistant deans, and key administrative staff of the college.
▪ Recruiting appropriate associate deans, assistant deans, and directors, as necessary to fulfill specific administrative responsibilities and to advance the Rosenberg College of Law’s academic goals.
▪ Ensuring responsibility for the assignment of duties to all personnel, and for the service provided by the faculty of the Rosenberg College of Law, individually and wholly.
▪ Leading ABA accreditation processes.
▪ Making recommendations on appointments, reappointments, terminal appointments, decisions not to reappoint, post-retirement appointments, promotions, granting of tenure, salaries, and salary changes for members of the Rosenberg College of Law or for ultimate action thereon when such authority has been delegated by the President or Provost.
▪ Possessing business acumen and cultural sensitivity to manage a complex organization and demonstrate the interpersonal skills that will assure successful relationship building with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including industry leaders, donors, and affiliated organizations.
▪ Broadening philanthropic engagement and leading a comprehensive development strategy for the Rosenberg College of Law to support key initiatives such as capital improvements and financial assistance for student scholarships and ensuring that it is coordinated fully with the University’s Philanthropy Office.
▪ Overseeing the periodic performance evaluation of all faculty. This includes conducting the evaluations of all direct reports and reviewing and approving the performance evaluations of faculty.
▪ Conducting periodic reviews of the academic unit relative to its missions, administration, and finances and making recommendations for improving its performance as outlined in the administrative regulations.
▪ Serving as a chief administrative officer for the Rosenberg College of Law who reports to the Provost as noted in Governing Regulation VII. The Dean will be expected to meet regularly with the Provost for both individual meetings and as part of regular meetings with the other deans.
▪ Ensuring the compliance of all Rosenberg College of Law policies that relate to student selection and admission, their subsequent education program, and the promotion and effectiveness of student support services and programs.
▪ Assuming responsibility for the appropriate allocation of administrative space assigned to the Rosenberg College of Law, for periodic review of space utilization, and for establishing and implementing guidelines for retention or reallocation of space based on faculty productivity.
▪ Promoting the visibility and reputation of the Rosenberg College of Law both inside and outside the University through interactions with a broad array of constituencies to advance the Rosenberg College of Law's and University’s reputation locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
▪ Providing leadership for alumni engagements.
▪ Partnering, participating in, planning, and developing public relations and marketing activities with the University central units and in ways that support and align with the institution’s mission and strategic plan.
▪ Assuming such other duties and responsibilities as may be requested by the Provost.
The executive search firm of WittKieffer is assisting the University of Kentucky in this search. To be considered, you must complete the UK application and contact WittKieffer through:
Werner Boel, LL.M. and Ashlee Winters Musser
KentuckyLawDean@wittkieffer.comFor fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 4, 2024.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
All applications will be handled in a secure, sensitive, and confidential manner.
