University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive Catholic University in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the School of Law.
For more than a century, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law has educated lawyers who are committed to the pursuit of justice, service to others, and the highest standards of the legal profession. Detroit Mercy Law fully embraces the Jesuit and Mercy heritages, welcoming students and faculty of all faith traditions, and emphasizing academic and intellectual excellence and ethical values. Detroit Mercy Law provides a rigorous education that combines theory, doctrine, ethics, transnational educational opportunities, and real-world experience. From its location in the heart of downtown Detroit, Detroit Mercy Law students can readily access opportunities to connect with local leaders, community partners, employers, and an engaged alumni network more than 9,000 strong.
In addition to the JD program, Detroit Mercy Law offers students access to the JD/MBA program and the Canadian & American Dual JD Program, a collaboration between Detroit Mercy Law and University of Windsor Faculty of Law, which is the only three-year combined program of its kind in North America.
Detroit Mercy Law has long been a recognized leader in preparing students for the practice of law. Detroit Mercy Law has one of the oldest clinical programs in the United States, which dates back to the early 1960’s, well before the ABA mandated experiential credits. Detroit Mercy Law innovated its curriculum and requires every student to complete one clinic and participate in its simulated law firm courses called the Law Firm Program. Detroit Mercy Law has an extensive externship program with close proximity to the courts and multiple Fortune 500 companies.
The University of Detroit was founded in 1877 by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). In 1990, University of Detroit consolidated with Mercy College of Detroit, which was founded in 1941 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, to form University of Detroit Mercy. Detroit Mercy exists to provide excellent student-centered undergraduate and graduate education in an urban context and integrates the intellectual, spiritual, ethical, and social development of all students. UDM ranked among the top national universities by U.S. News & World Report for a fifth year in a row, earning a No. 185 rank in the National Universities category of the publication’s “Best Colleges” 2024 edition. In 2023, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked Detroit Mercy No. 52 in the country based on a rubric that included student outcomes. That ranking makes UDM the second-ranked school in Michigan, the third-highest ranked Jesuit institution and the only Mercy institution on the list.
The next Dean of Detroit Mercy School of Law will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic and collaborative institution deeply committed to social justice, academic excellence, and community engagement. This role demands a visionary leader who can strategically enhance the law school’s academic reputation and bar passage rates, while continuing to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment. The Dean will be expected to prioritize relationships with faculty, alumni, and the university administration, ensuring financial stability through effective fundraising and budget management. Emphasizing the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, the Dean will promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engage with the broader legal community to elevate the school’s profile regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Dean must be adaptable to the evolving landscape of legal education, spearheading innovative programs and leveraging the strengths of Detroit Mercy Law’s unique offerings, such as its clinical program and the Canadian & American Dual JD Program. This position presents a significant opportunity to influence the future direction of the law school and make a lasting impact on its students, faculty, and the greater Detroit community. More information can be found at wittkieffer.com.
At minimum, applicants will possess a J.D. degree and will have an outstanding record of accomplishment in the legal academy, the practice of law, or the judiciary, demonstrating a level of intellectual leadership and accomplishment warranting appointment at the rank of Professor of Law. The next Dean will be a successful teacher and mentor, excel at scholarship and research, be a proven administrator, and demonstrate commitment to public service and diversity.
WittKieffer is assisting University of Detroit Mercy in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 21, 2024 and submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Werner Boel, LL.M. and Ashlee Winters Musser
[email protected]
It is the policy of University of Detroit Mercy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. The University will not discriminate in employment on the grounds of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, medical condition or disability. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment including recruitment, hiring, placement, employee development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, and termination.
