In a swift succession of changes, Stanford Law School embraces its third dean in just four months, marking a dynamic shift in leadership. Stepping into the interim role is the esteemed Paul Brest, who previously held the position of Stanford Law dean from 1987 to 1999.
The announcement, made by Stanford officials on Monday, reveals that Brest will be taking over from Robert Weisberg as the interim dean. Weisberg, citing health concerns, gracefully steps aside from the interim position while maintaining his presence within the faculty. Brest’s tenure as interim dean will persist until the completion of the ongoing search for a permanent dean.
The health-induced transition is part of a broader trend in top-tier law schools, where leadership changes have become increasingly prevalent. Stanford Law, currently sharing the top spot with Yale Law School according to U.S. News & World Report, finds itself in company with six of the renowned T-14 schools experiencing shifts in leadership roles. This wave includes new appointments, interim deans, and planned departures.
Deans in law schools not only oversee day-to-day operations but also serve as the public face of their institutions, playing a pivotal role in fundraising endeavors. The average tenure of a law dean, approximately four years, underscores the transitory nature of these leadership positions. According to data from the Mississippi College School of Law, dean searches can extend over a year.
The shuffle extends beyond Stanford, with other prominent institutions like the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the University of California at Los Angeles appointing new law deans over the summer. Meanwhile, Stanford Law and the University of Michigan Law School, ranked 10th, find themselves under the guidance of interim deans due to recent transitions.
Noteworthy among the changes is the departure of Mark West, the former dean of the University of Michigan Law School, who stepped down in December after a decade in the role. As the deans of Columbia Law School and the University of Virginia School of Law announce plans to step down this summer, the landscape of legal academia undergoes a significant transformation. Columbia’s dean search is underway, while the University of Virginia has named Professor Leslie Kendrick as its next dean.
Paul Brest, a familiar figure in the legal academy, brings a wealth of experience to his interim role. Having joined the Stanford Law faculty in 1969, Brest served as the president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 2000 to 2012. Currently, he holds the positions of professor emeritus at the law school and co-director of the Stanford Law and Policy Lab.
As Stanford Law School navigates this period of transition, the legal community watches with anticipation to see how the new leadership will shape the future of one of the nation’s premier law schools.
