Law Students

I have long said that eight years is about the longest a dean should serve, and I am now in that eighth year. Consequently, President Zimmer will soon ask a faculty committee at the Law School to begin the search process for a new Dean. In making this announcement now, the President, the Provost, and I allow the Law School ample time to search for its next Dean. The likely starting date would be in the Summer of 2010, but I stand ready to end my term as dean before then if the law faculty, President, and Trustees find their next agent quickly. Between now and then, there is much to do, and I promise my full energy to the initiatives underway as well as to new ideas for the improvement of a place that has never stood still despite its greatness. I do, however, look forward to resuming life as a full-time member of the faculty, embarking on other adventures, and teaching and writing about new interests.

It is all too common in these announcements to list the buildings renovated, the capital campaigns completed, the faculty hired, and the programs launched. We should be proud of such things, but I prefer to associate myself with the terrific and important work done by faculty colleagues and with the great students who have blossomed here during my time as dean. Ours is a Law School that cannot possibly be accused of simply giving its stamp of approval to talented inputs, and we should take special pride in the value we have added as a community to the people and ideas that pass through here.

Saul Levmore
University of Chicago Law School