The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) seeks a dynamic and accomplished individual to serve as its next Dean of the School of Law.

UC Davis
UC Davis is a premier land-grant public research university in Northern California. With over 40,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, it has the fourth largest enrollment in the University of California system. In addition to the School of Law, the campus is home to highly-regarded Schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, the Graduate School of Management, the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, the School of Education, as well as the Colleges of Engineering, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Letters and Science. UC Davis is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked 6th nationally among public universities in U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges Rankings and 5th among public research universities nationwide according to the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. In addition, UC Davis has been designated as both an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and is also ranked 1st in the nation for campus sustainability by UI GreenMetric World University Rankings and 1st for diversity, inclusiveness and internationalization in the United States by QS World University Rankings’ USA rankings. Annual external research funding reached an all-time high of over $1 billion in 2022. To learn more about UC Davis, please see www.ucdavis.edu.

About the School of Law
UC Davis’ School of Law is home to approximately 600 J.D. students (190+/instructional year) and 50 LL.M. students; 45 full-time faculty; part-time faculty of between 60 and 80 each academic year; a staff , of 85 including the law library; and a budget of approximately $50 million. Law School staff members are organized into 16 units with 1-18 members, including an administrative team of six deans and other senior managers. The Law School receives approximately 3,500 applications each year for the J.D. program. The School has 10+ specialized programs of instruction including five clinical programs, six academic centers including the University of California Immigrant Legal Services Center, five student journals, and more than 50 student organizations. The School of Law has joint degree programs with units on campus, including a joint J.D./M.B.A. program.

The mission of UC Davis’ School of Law is to be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the development and dissemination of legal knowledge, as well as the education of students to become socially responsible lawyers committed to professional excellence and high ethical standards, and to provide significant public service through law reform and professional activities. Through its faculty, students, and graduates, the School of Law seeks to make substantial contributions toward solving the complex legal problems confronting our society. For more information about the UC Davis School of Law, please visit https://law.ucdavis.edu/.

Role of the Dean of the School of Law
The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School of Law and is responsible for the academic and administrative leadership and operation of the School, including the Law Library. In collaboration with faculty, the Dean develops a scholarly and educational vision for the School that enhances its professional profile nationally and internationally, increases the School’s reputation as an academic and professional leader, and strengthens its engagement with national and international issues related to the legal system and social justice.

The Dean is responsible for overall management of School staff and faculty including the continued development of their respective teaching, scholarship, and professional development and University, public, and professional service. The Dean is also responsible for Law School student matters including recruitment, admissions, financial support, career planning, and progress of students at the School as well as alumni relations, development activities, and outreach to local and national legal professional organizations. Working with School and campus development staff, the Dean has a leading and central role in seeking additional financial resources for the School of Law. These resources come from the UC Davis campus, the State of California, the Office of the President of the University of California, and other private and public sources, including grants, alumni contributions, and major private donors.

The Dean contributes to campuswide policy and program decisions through membership on the Council of Deans and the Provost’s Leadership Council, and as a member of numerous other campus committees, workgroups, and task forces. The Dean is responsible for meeting the accreditation requirements of the American Bar Association, the Association of American Law Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Furthermore, the Dean represents the School of Law nationally and internationally in professional and academic legal organizations including the State Bar of California, California Board of Bar Examiners, American Law Deans Association, Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and the American Bar Association’s (ABA’s) Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, at events including the annual meetings of these organizations and other law organizations and workshops, and to the media.

Compensation
The University of California, Davis is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The Dean of the School of Law at UC Davis lies within UC Dean’s Salary Band 3, for which the annual salary range is $287,500 to $800,400. The budgeted annual salary that UC Davis reasonably expects to pay for this position is $470,000 to $530,000.

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations
The Recruitment Advisory Committee will begin reviewing applications in January and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit a current resume and/or curriculum vitae, a letter of interest describing relevant experience, and a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Specifically, we invite candidates to discuss their past, present, and future contributions to promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their professional careers. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence. Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner
Sal Venegas Jr., Partner
Email: [email protected]
Refer to code \“UCD-LAW\” in the subject line
SP&A Executive Search
6512 Painter Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.