Legal Commentary

The amazing and wildly influential Drucilla Ramey is heading home to San Francisco, to become the next dean of Golden Gate University's School of Law.

Here's the top of The Recorder's story. Read the full story here.

By Petra Pasternak

March 26, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO ? Drucilla Ramey is back in the Bay Area, this time to head a San Francisco law school.

Golden Gate University School of Law has appointed the former longtime head of the Bar Association of San Francisco as dean-elect. She will take over the reins from acting dean Alan Ramo on Aug. 1.

The school has been searching for a new dean since Frederic White left last March to head Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.

Legal observers say that Golden Gate will benefit from Ramey's fund-raising prowess, as well as from her reputation as a champion of diversity.

"She is an icon in the city, a real force of nature," said Bingham McCutchen partner Raymond Marshall. "People just don't say no to Dru, even when you know what she's coming to ask for, which a lot of times means money." Marshall said that he personally, as well as his firm, have over the years given money to Ramey's causes.

On diversity issues, he added, "She has a national brand and that can only be good for Golden Gate University."

GGU President Dan Angel said that the law school narrowed its pool of applicants from about a dozen to four in the final round. Ramo didn't apply to be permanent dean, Angel said.

He added that Ramey brings "instant visibility," saying that there was "comfort and excitement concerning her candidacy."