Dean

The University of the Pacific seeks an exceptional leader to serve as the next dean of the McGeorge School of Law commencing on or before July 1, 2025. The successful candidate will be a creative, dynamic and visionary leader who will accelerate the law school's upward trajectory engaging the McGeorge community and guiding the school in achieving elevated levels of excellence and impact. 

McGeorge’s outstanding location in Sacramento, the capital of California, the 5^th largest economy in the world, provides an unparalleled level of access and complexity within which to train, engage diverse viewpoints, and gain practical experience. The school’s strategically beneficial location has allowed programming to flourish in public policy, international law, business law, trial advocacy and water/environmental law – a wholly unique suite of academic offerings for an American law school. McGeorge has earned a strong reputation in California and internationally for producing well-prepared, practice-ready lawyers. The diversity of the student body at McGeorge is another key strength, with over half of students identifying as students of color and 40% identifying as first-generation students. McGeorge consistently hits JD enrollment targets, attracts a robust community of international students that brings an extraordinary diversity of viewpoints and experience to the campus, and offers degrees in public policy and public administration that further broaden its appeal and impact. McGeorge is well-positioned to become an exceptional, attractive venue for a relevant and impactful legal education in the Western United States and beyond. The dean will build upon the considerable strengths of the law school to drive its next chapter of success and impact, with particular focus on enhancing job placement and bar passage rates and building upon the distinct set of programs McGeorge offers.

The next dean will lead the development of a bold, student-centered strategic vision that articulates the value and fundamental importance of the School of Law across the state and nationally. With an engaged alumni base of over 15,000, the dean will also continue to develop resources in service of innovative academic programs and student outcomes. This work will be done in partnership with and in service of the highly committed faculty and staff, with the dean focusing on recruiting and retaining the best academic talent as McGeorge works to reflect its student diversity within its professional ranks. The dean will ultimately serve to strengthen engagement between faculty, university administration, and the legal community, creating partnerships across Pacific and with other institutions in the state, propelling the law school to even greater heights in its vital mission of serving students and the state of California. In doing so, the dean will address the following key opportunities and challenges: 

• Enhancing student outcomes in terms of bar passage and securing employment for graduates
• Raising additional revenues through fundraising and the creation of new, sustainable academic programs 
• Integrating McGeorge and aligning its programs with Pacific’s ambitious mission and strategic initiatives
• Building on the law school’s connections with the bench and bar and policy-making community in the Sacramento area
• Further distinguishing McGeorge from other law schools on the West Coast

The anticipated salary range for this position is $360,000 to $400,000 annually. When extending an offer of employment, the University of the Pacific considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. 

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For optimal consideration, please apply by October 13. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be submitted below. Electronic submission is strongly encouraged. 

Julie Fillizetti and Tim McFeeley are leading this search with Evan Layne and Kati O’Hearn.

In keeping with its long-standing traditions and policies, the university considers students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and those seeking access to university programs on the basis of individual merit. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, color, language use, religion, religious creed, age, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, cancer-related or genetic-related medical condition, disability, pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, citizenship status, military service status, or any other status protected by law (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972).