St. Mary's University - Dean of the School of Law

Academic Career & Executive Search • San Antonio, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

St. Mary's University seeks an accomplished and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the School of Law. The next Dean will have the opportunity to lead the distinctive Catholic Law School during a defining period of growth, innovation, and institutional momentum. As the School enters its second century, the next Dean will help shape the future of an institution with a proud history, a growing national profile, and a clear vision for continued excellence. Enrollment across the School's J.D., Online J.D., and graduate law programs has grown by 20% over the past two years. As the only Catholic law school in Texas, the School continues to distinguish itself through academic excellence and innovation, including launching the nation's first ABA-accredited Online J.D. program. Nationally recognized for its advocacy and trial programs and deeply connected to the Texas bench, bar, and judiciary, the School provides students with exceptional opportunities for experiential learning, professional engagement, and public service. Located in San Antonio, the School is well positioned to strengthen these partnerships and expand its impact as it approaches its centennial in 2027. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean serves as the School's chief academic and administrative officer and a key member of the University's academic leadership team. Working alongside dedicated faculty, accomplished alumni, University leadership, and an engaged legal community, the Dean will strengthen the School's reputation, expand its influence, and prepare future lawyers who will lead with integrity, professional excellence, and a commitment to serving others.

Requirements

• An understanding of legal education in the context of a Catholic and Marianist university and a commitment to advancing the mission of St. Mary’s University and the School of Law.
• A J.D. or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• A record of teaching, scholarship, professional achievement and service appropriate for appointment as a tenured member of the law faculty.
• Significant experience in legal education, including an understanding of ABA accreditation standards, bar passage, student success, faculty governance, curriculum and the evolving needs of the legal profession.
• Demonstrated administrative leadership experience, including responsibility for personnel supervision, faculty or staff evaluation, budget oversight, planning and resource allocation.
• Evidence of the ability to recruit, retain, support, and develop a strong faculty committed to teaching, scholarship, service and student success.
• Experience advancing enrollment, academic quality, bar passage, career outcomes, and student support in a complex and competitive legal education environment.
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, University leadership, alumni, members of the bench and bar and other external partners.
• Experience with assessment, accreditation, program review, strategic planning and data-informed decision-making.
• A record of effective external engagement, including alumni relations, advancement, professional partnerships, and public representation of an institution or academic unit.
• Evidence of a strong commitment to inclusive excellence, access to legal education, professional formation and the success of all students.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the School's chief academic and administrative officer.
• Be a key member of the University's academic leadership team.
• Strengthen the School's reputation.
• Expand the School's influence.
• Prepare future lawyers who will lead with integrity, professional excellence, and a commitment to serving others.
• Advance enrollment, academic quality, bar passage, career outcomes, and student support.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, University leadership, alumni, members of the bench and bar and other external partners.
• Engage externally, including alumni relations, advancement, professional partnerships, and public representation of an institution or academic unit.
• Promote inclusive excellence, access to legal education, professional formation and the success of all students.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree