DEAN, SCHOOL OF LAW
Newark, New Jersey
Profile
Founded in 1856, Seton Hall University is the oldest and one of the largest diocesan universities in the
United States. Seton Hall Law opened its doors in 1951 and is the only private law school in New Jersey.
The opportunity to lead Seton Hall Law follows the successful 15-year tenure of Patrick E. Hobbs. Seton
Hall Law seeks a dynamic leader and an engaged legal scholar with a deep understanding of the academy
and an authentic interest in students and their success. Consistently ranked in the top tier of law schools in
the country, Seton Hall Law is a leader in the preparation of students for careers and is known for the
important contributions of its faculty who are nationally recognized scholars and exceptional teachers. The
student-faculty ratio supports excellence in educational outcomes and a consistently high bar passage rate.
Seton Hall Law is a significant part of the legal community in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan
area. Faculty and students are committed to social justice through scholarly activities and clinical
instruction. Seton Hall Law serves students seeking a J.D., L.L.M. in health and intellectual property, as
well as a Masters in Jurisprudence for non-lawyers.
THE POSITION
The Dean embodies the values of Seton Hall Law and brings executive
and academic leadership to the school. Reporting to the Provost and
executive vice president of Seton Hall University, Dr. Larry Robinson,
the Dean serves on the Deans’ Council and has leadership responsibility
for achieving the goals and objectives of Seton Hall Law in all areas
including budget, admissions, academic program, alumni and donor
relations, and career preparedness of students. The Dean oversees a
budget of approximately $23M (FY14) and leads a faculty and staff of
about 128. The organization of the academic offerings, and the faculty
scholarship around preparing students for the practice of law and interdisciplinary centers of excellence, provide a strong sense of mission to
Seton Hall Law. The next Dean will play a critical role in supporting
and defining that mission in the future. The Dean must be respected for
his or her personal academic achievement and be able to inspire
compassion, collaboration, and engagement from the faculty, staff, and
students. The University seeks a culturally sensitive individual with a
clear understanding and commitment to the culture of Seton Hall Law
and the Catholic mission of Seton Hall University.
BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
In 1951, Seton Hall Law opened with an entering class of 72 students. Under Dean Miriam Rooney's
stewardship, the first decade of Seton Hall Law was marked by substantial growth to more than 300
students. Over the next 60 years Seton Hall Law greatly expanded and updated its physical plant, began
offering the Master of Law and the Master of Science in Jurisprudence and was widely acclaimed for its
work in health law. It also has a long-standing Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration dual degree
program with the Stillman School of Business. First fully accredited in 1955, the student body grew to
nearly 1,000 students by the 1970s. During the 1980s Seton Hall Law added an alumni office and the
Alumni Council and grew its reputation as a leader in legal education. The current magnificent $37 million
facility that houses Seton Hall Law was dedicated in 1991 in the heart of Newark’s business district and
plays a vital role in the Newark renaissance.
EXTRAORDINARY FACULTY
The next Dean of Seton Hall Law will step into an environment invigorated with engaged faculty, excellent
students, and a dedicated staff. Home to 40 full-time and as many adjunct faculty, the professoriate includes
nationally respected scholars and sought-after experts in fields ranging from corporate governance and
finance, to health law, intellectual property law, international law, labor and employment law, and public
interest law. The faculty is student-centered, placing a premium on compassionate teaching, serving as
mentors and developing meaningful and sustained interactions with students to help ensure their success.
They share pride in the success of students, excellent scholarship, and clinical education, which combine
to make Seton Hall Law a leader among law schools in the region. Through a strong and long-standing
adherence to shared governance, the faculty partner with the Dean to be responsive to the needs of the 21st
century lawyer. Their focus on student outcomes and preparation as practicing lawyers has kept Seton Hall
Law high in rankings that measure employment of graduates, service to the bench through clerkships, and
clinical training.
Faculty and students publish three law journals. Seton Hall Law Review
is a nationally recognized scholarly legal journal publishing critical and
analytical articles. Among its most popular articles are topics ranging
from analyses of copyright trolling to imposter fraud in social networking
to campaign finance law. The Seton Hall Legislative Journal features
scholarly work on the legislative process and legislation and supports an
annual symposium exploring a topic of state or federal public policy. The
Seton Hall Circuit Review is dedicated to the study of the work of the
U.S. Courts of Appeals.
For more information see
http://law.shu.edu/Students/academics/journals/
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
Over 15,000 alumni across the United States and around the world increase
the influence and reach of Seton Hall Law. Alumni were key to the success
of the Seton Hall Law Rising campaign, which raised $26 million from over
4,000 individual and organizational donors. The Campaign’s success
extended Seton Hall Law’s ability to fulfill its mission by increasing student
access to legal education, supporting faculty members whose research
benefits business, government, and society at large, and developing academic
programs that provide forums to discuss and address complex legal, ethical,
political, and social issues. In addition, increased funding expanded
opportunities for enhancing direct legal services for New Jersey’s most needy
citizens while also providing hands-on skills training to students. The
Campaign, which ended in 2011, grew networking and continuing education
opportunities to benefit alumni throughout their careers.
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The Seton Hall Law Board of Visitors is a group of distinguished alumni and supporters who provide
important and significant expertise and guidance to the administration of Seton Hall Law. The Alumni
Council brings together alumni from a broad range of careers, to share their support and experiences with
students, faculty, and the administration. This wealth of experience informs Seton Hall Law’s strategic
vision and supports its stature in the legal community nationally and globally.
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
In 2000, Seton Hall Law set a course for recognition among the nation’s top Catholic law schools. The
core of its mission is to prepare students for the practice of law through robust scholarship and teaching as
well as clinical training. But, Seton Hall Law also recognizes the value of linking the study of law to the
disciplines where the law is complex and emerging. To this end, Seton Hall Law created five Centers of
Excellence focused on health law, intellectual property law, social justice, public policy, and religiously
affiliated non-profits. By organizing around these Centers, Seton Hall Law seeks to lead the development
of law and policy of national and global significance.
The Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy is an independent think tank advancing the
search for solutions to ethical, legal, and social issues in the health and
pharmaceutical arenas by fostering informed dialogue among
policymakers, consumer advocates, the medical profession, and industry.
Building upon Seton Hall Law’s nationally rated Health Law and Policy
program, the Center also provides lawyers and health care professionals
training on the complex set of laws that govern patients, health care
providers, manufacturers and suppliers. Center faculty and research
fellows produce scholarship, white papers and recommendations for policy
on the varied and complex issues posed by health and pharmaceutical law,
health care access, human subject research, mental health issues, and nonprofit governance. This focus supports two health law graduate programs
-- a Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science in Jurisprudence and a Doctor
of Medicine/Juris Doctor. Both programs are offered in combination with
the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, making it possible for students to earn both a J.D. and an M.D.
degree in six years or an M.S.J. and an M.D. degree in five years.
Focusing on intellectual property law and the legal issues surrounding recent
scientific and technological advances, the Gibbons Institute of Law, Science
& Technology provides a forum for lawyers, judges, scientists, and
government officials to discuss the legal, political and social challenges arising
from innovations in the life sciences and information technologies. The
Gibbons Institute brings together Seton Hall Law faculty members whose goal
is to provide well-informed legal analyses that solve novel societal tensions in
both the private and public sectors resulting from technological innovation.
The Gibbons Institute and the Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law &
Policy create innovative joint programs addressing the intersection of
technology and health including an expanded M.S.J. in Health Law that
includes tracks in science and technology.
The Center for Social Justice is one of the most comprehensive pro bono and clinical programs in the
New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. The Center consists of five clinics centered on Civil Litigation,
Impact Litigation, Family Law, Immigration and Human Rights, and Juvenile Justice. Student
opportunities with CSJ begin the first year of law school and have included cases in real estate fraud,
protecting the human rights of immigrants, and obtaining asylum for those fleeing persecution.
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The Center for Policy & Research provides law students with a unique opportunity to develop their
analytical skills by working on subjects of national importance, including
national security, interrogation and intelligence gathering, and
forensics. Students gain proficiency in identifying patterns and
inconsistencies, and uncovering facts that can shape the law and public
policy. Among the Center’s high-profile projects are the Guantánamo
Reports, originally spurred by Professor Mark Denbeaux’s representation of
two Guantánamo detainees. The Reports were developed by analyzing the
federal government’s data through the systematic review of literally over
100,000 pages of government documents procured through the Freedom of
Information Act. The Guantánamo Reports have been widely cited,
published and reported throughout the world.
The Center for Religiously Affiliated Non-Profit Corporations enhances the viability and prominence
of faith-based charitable corporations, especially those affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in the
U.S. and internationally. The Center sponsors independent, scholarly, and applied research on strategically
important issues of law, public policy, and inter-corporate relationships.
While the education of juris doctor students is central to the mission of Seton Hall Law, the law school has
embarked on an ambitious program offering certificate programs to non-lawyers whose work and interests
demand the expertise of legal training. These programs demonstrate Seton Hall Law’s understanding of
the role legal education plays in our economy beyond the training of lawyers. Certificate offerings include
a certificate in Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Law & Compliance, Health and Hospital Law,
Intellectual Property Law. These programs are available through the Division of Online Learning
http://law.shu.edu/online/graduate-certificates/index.cfm
INTERNATIONAL REACH
Believing that all students benefit from exposure to the practice of
international law, Seton Hall Law encourages students to study abroad
and has offered programs in Egypt, Jordan, France, Tanzania, Italy,
Haiti, and Guatemala. In addition to offering international programs,
Seton Hall Law participates in the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program
at the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
This program is just one of the inter-scholastic moot court programs
offered.
Seton Hall Law’s commitment to the importance of educating a global
citizen is underscored by its partnership with the Seton Hall University
School of Diplomacy & International Relations in South Orange to offer a dual degree, the Juris
Doctor/Master of Arts in Diplomacy & International Relations.
DIVERSITY AT SETON HALL LAW
As part of continuing efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive academic environment and to help increase
diversity within the legal profession, Seton Hall Law created the Dean’s Diversity Council, an advisory
body comprised of faculty, administrators, alumni, staff, and student leaders. The Council supports Seton
Hall Law’s efforts to recruit students from diverse backgrounds and offers guidance to student organizations
seeking to enrich the experiences of a diverse student body.
Mission Statement of the Diversity Council
The Diversity Council seeks to promote a diverse and inclusive academic environment, and to help increase
diversity within the legal profession by serving as an advisory body to the Seton Hall Law community. It
aims to further diversity through education, inclusiveness, collaboration, and respect. It seeks and values
input from students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and staff.
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Recognizing that law students do not reflect the diversity of our nation, Seton
Hall Law created an intentional program in 1977 to increase the number of
students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, the Legal
Education Opportunities Institute (LEO). Over 500 alumni have benefited
from the program over the years and have in fact increased the diversity of
Seton Hall Law and the bar.
Seton Hall Law has a strategic plan for diversity that includes supporting
admissions policies to achieve greater diversity, providing mentoring and
advising to support students to completion and success in law school, and
assisting student organizations, faculty, and administration with issues that
may disproportionately affect students from backgrounds that are
underrepresented at Seton Hall Law or in the legal community.
http://law.shu.edu/About/diversity/index.cfm
Seton Hall Law Rankings
U.S. News and World Report ranked Seton Hall Law #68 out of 200 law schools in the nation. Over the
last 10 years, Seton Hall Law has gained 20 places in the overall ranking.
The National Law Journal ranked Seton Hall Law #35 in the nation for the number of lawyers promoted
from Associate to Partner among the NLJ 250. There are 15,015 Seton Hall Law alumni, located in every
state in the nation.
The National Jurist gave Seton Hall Law an A for the quality of its practical training, ranking Seton Hall
#13 in the nation for its strong experiential learning programs – clinics, externships, and simulation classes.
Seventy-three percent of the Class of 2014 graduates participated in a clinic or externship while they
attended law school.
U.S. News and World Report ranked Seton Hall Law’s Health Law program #5 and in the top 10 for 18
years. Seton Hall Law is the only Health Law program ranked among the top 10 in Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, a region with more than 3,100 pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech
companies.
The National Law Journal ranked Seton Hall Law #1 in the nation among law schools sending their 2013
graduates to state clerkships. Among Class of 2011 graduates who completed year-long clerkships, 92%
had full-time, long-term employment within 9 months of completing their clerkship with 72% entering
private practice.
MODERN FACILITY IN A KEY LOCATION
Seton Hall Law, the only private law school in New Jersey, is located in downtown Newark, minutes from
New York City. One Newark Center is designed to be open and welcoming, a reflection of the faculty and
administration's commitment to students and the legal community. A striking five-story, glass-encased
atrium warms and illuminates the "urban quad.” Offices, classrooms, moot court rooms, and library are
inter-connected by balconies overlooking the atrium. Student spaces include law journal offices, student
organizations, lounges, meeting rooms, a chapel, a cafeteria, and a cafe. Faculty offices line the skywalks
and are open for student drop-ins. The Peter W. Rodino, Jr., Law Library is located on three floors with
65,000 square feet and 16 reading rooms. It accommodates 600 students and includes 50 terminals for
student use with connections to Lexis and Westlaw national legal databases. There are an additional 100
computer workstations available for student access, including an electronic classroom. The Law Library is
a strong research facility serving Seton Hall University students and the scholarship of its faculty, but also
welcoming alumni, and the Bench and Bar of New Jersey. Its collection contains more than 425,000
volumes and volume equivalents covering a wide array of law and law-related subjects. Health and
environmental law are areas of particular strength.
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SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
Seton Hall University is in South Orange, New Jersey and includes eight distinct schools offering over 60
majors to about 10,000 students. The University re-stated its mission in 1996 and this statement applies to
all divisions of Seton Hall:
Seton Hall is a major Catholic university. In a diverse and collaborative environment it focuses
on academic and ethical development. Seton Hall students are prepared to be leaders in their
professional and community lives in a global society and are challenged by outstanding faculty,
an evolving technologically advanced setting and values-centered curricula.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEXT DEAN OF SETON HALL LAW
The successful candidate for Dean of Seton Hall Law will be able to demonstrate:
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Support for the Catholic mission of Seton Hall University;
Effectiveness in compassionate leadership that is consensus building, innovative, versatile, and
collaborative;
Success in attracting financial support from alumni, organizations, and friends;
Deep respect for shared governance and the role of the faculty in governance;
Commitment to student-centered thinking that embraces personal student interactions, values
rigorous and innovative teaching, and encourages scholarly interactions among students and
faculty;
Support and encouragement for academic scholarship consistent with the values of a top tier law
school;
Proven experience leading a school within a larger institution enabling the candidate to understand
and navigate the relationship of Seton Hall Law to Seton Hall University;
The commitment and ability to advancing diversity and cultural sensitivity at Seton Hall Law and
in the profession;
A strong work ethic and tireless commitment to motivate others that is responsive to the realities
of legal education today;
Charisma and vivacity as a communicator, interfacing with a broad array of constituencies, both
within and outside the University;
Qualifications that would support the granting of full professorship at Seton Hall University and an
earned Juris Doctor degree.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DEAN
 Seton Hall Law Rising was a successful capital campaign that recently concluded. It raised $26
million for programs, faculty salaries, student scholarships, and endowment growth. Seton Hall
Law is still rising and the next Dean will have an opportunity to lead an energized community for
continued success in fund raising, academic excellence, and student outcomes to ensure that Seton
Hall Law is a leader among law schools in New Jersey, the region, and the nation.
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Seton Hall Law has managed the nationwide decrease in students seeking a J.D. by maintaining
high quality legal education and rigorous admission standards. The Dean must bring to this
continuing national challenge vision, creativity, sound decision making skills, and experienced and
collaborative leadership.
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Student success has been and will continue to be a central measure of Seton Hall Law’s stature and
leadership as an educational institution. The Dean must promote the student-centered culture of
Seton Hall Law and demonstrate authentic and compassionate engagement with students.
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Seton Hall Law is a community of exceptional teachers. The Dean must continue to promote and
advance excellence in the classroom.
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Seton Hall Law offers a range of scholarships through a variety of scholarship programs. More
than 70% of students receive scholarships of $25,000 or more. Sustaining Seton Hall Law’s ability
to provide generously for its students will continue to be a focus for the administration and its fund
raising efforts.
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Seton Hall Law’s engaged faculty members are at the core of its success. The Dean leads in
partnership with a strong faculty rooted in the tradition of shared faculty governance. This model
has served Seton Hall Law well when challenging decisions were required to sustain progress
towards becoming and being one of the nation’s top Catholic law schools. The Dean must
demonstrate a strong commitment to faculty governance, open communication, and collaborative
leadership.
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The Dean manages Seton Hall Law in partnership with strong faculty administrators and nonfaculty administrative staff. Supporting the development, retention, and deep commitment of the
administrative staff will be a priority of the next Dean.
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As part of a University with a Catholic mission and identity, Seton Hall Law esteems Catholic
values and Catholic social teaching, including generosity, valor, inclusivity, virtue and ethical
behavior. The Dean must reflect and honor these values, and maintain the rich and inclusive
tradition of Seton Hall Law as a Catholic institution.
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Seton Hall Law faculty members are robustly engaged in legal scholarship and the Dean must
continue the tradition of providing time and resources for this enterprise.
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Seton Hall Law is fully accredited by the ABA and had its last onsite visit in the fall of 2008. The
next scheduled visit will be in the Fall of 2015. The next Dean will contribute to the strategic vision
that will support the self-study and preparation for this important review.
NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS
The search is assisted by Georgia Yuan, senior consultant at AGB Search, [email protected], 202590-7590. Confidential inquiries and nominations may be submitted to Ms. Yuan via email or telephone.
Complete applications consist of a letter of interest addressing the characteristics outlined in the position
profile, curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of five
references noting the nature of the professional relationship of each reference to the applicant. Submit
application materials and nominations electronically to [email protected]. To ensure full
consideration complete applications should be received no later than January 16, 2015, however
applications will be accepted until an appointment is made.
Seton Hall University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer
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