Dean of the School of Law
Tracking Code
705-254
Job Description
The University of Montana seeks a Dean to lead its School of Law as it begins the second century of its distinguished history.
Founded in 1912, the School of Law is an established leader in legal education, preparing students for serving people in the practice of law through effective integration of theory and practice. Our curriculum begins with an innovative skills-based law-firm program in the first year, continues with intensive trial and transactional simulation courses in the second year, and finishes with a required third-year clinical program offering professional placements at both in-house law clinics and government and public-interest law offices.Beyond preparing students for practice, our curriculum emphasizes areas of law significant to the Rocky Mountain West including natural resource law, environmental law, and Indian law.
At a challenging time for legal education, the success of Montana’s model in training and placing lawyers has earned it recognition as one of the best-value law schools in the nation. Our strengths allow us to attract a small, diverse, talented, and tightly knit student body, and have made us one of a handful of law schools to attract significantly more applicants this year than last. As Montana’s only law school, we enjoy a close connection to the Montana bench and bar.
We work and study in a spacious, state-of-the-art facility, and live and play in the heart of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Missoula is a small, vibrant city surrounded by mountains, wilderness, and clear, cold rivers, including the famous Blackfoot. The educational, medical, and cultural hub of the region, Missoula offers a rare blend of outdoor adventure, big-city culture, and Montana’s relaxed way of life.
The Dean’s leadership responsibilities include: implementing the School of Law’s mission by promoting excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; developing and maintaining supportive relationships with alumni, the legal and business communities, and tribal, state and federal governments; working effectively with the School of Law’s faculty, staff, and students; managing its budget; and executing Law School affairs in accordance with all applicable laws, accreditation requirements, and Board of Regents and University policies.
Required Experience
The successful candidate must hold a Juris Doctor degree, or its equivalent, from an ABA-accredited law school, demonstrate the ability to lead the School of Law’s faculty, staff, and students, and have the following additional qualifications:
Distinguished professional achievement in legal practice;
Successful administrative experience, including personnel supervision and financial administration;
Strong listening, communication, and consensus-building skills;
A commitment to legal scholarship; and
A commitment to diversity.
Preferred qualifications include: commitment to innovation in legal education;potential for recruiting and retaining talented students, faculty, and staff; successful fundraising experience; and a high probability of being tenured in the School of Law.
Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ability, and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Review of applications will begin on August 1, 2013; application review will continue until the position is filled. Nominations will receive immediate attention. Complete applications must include:
a statement of interest;
a current résumé or C.V.;
and contact information for at least three references.
All materials must be submitted in electronic format through the on-line application system. For any questions regarding this application, please call Carey Davis of The University of Montana Office of Human Resources at 406-243-5706 or contact her via email at Carey.Davis@mso.umt.edu.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran’s Preference
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing Individual hiring departments at UM-M may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.Employment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
Job Location
Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular
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