The vice dean of the University of Virginia School of Law, Mary Elizabeth Magill, has been named as the dean of the Stanford University Law School, according to a press release from the school. The announcement was made by Provost John Etchemendy.
“Everyone who knows Liz Magill is impressed by her creative and insightful approach to problems and her skill at engaging a community in their solution,” Etchemendy said. “At a time when law schools must adapt to fundamental changes in the legal profession, it is hard to imagine finding a more capable dean to lead the school and the legal academy into the future.”
Magill will begin her career as the school’s dean on September 1 and will succeed Larry Kramer, who has been serving as the school’s dean since 2004. Kramer is leaving Stanford on August 31 to become the head of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Magill is also the Joseph Weintraub-Bank of America Distinguished Professor of Law and the Elizabeth D. and Richard A. Merrill Professor at Virginia.
“Liz will bring to her deanship an enthusiasm that inspires students and colleagues and a capacity to help everyone around her realize their academic and professional ambitions, whatever those may be,” Kramer said. “On top of that, she perfectly fits Stanford Law School’s unique commitment to interdisciplinary work and its embrace of innovative change in legal education.”
“We are thrilled to have found someone who will be a worthy successor to Larry Kramer,” law professor Mark Kelman said. Kelman was the chair of the search committee for the new dean. “She is not just a superb scholar with an expansive and creative vision for the future of legal education and the profession, she is someone who will connect instantly and deeply with faculty, students, staff, alumni and the broader university community.”
Magill said the following about her new position, “Stanford Law School is an extraordinary law school. It has had a remarkable series of leaders and, as a result, is today the most innovative law school in the country. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as its next dean. I look forward to working with Stanford faculty, staff, students and alumni to advance and build upon that tradition of excellence and innovation. I am grateful to President Hennessy and Provost Etchemendy for giving me this opportunity.”
Magill worked as the vice dean at the University of Virginia School of Law since 2009. She was responsible for the curriculum of the school, the registrar and served as the school’s dean of students. She was also responsible for the recruitment of faculty.
“Liz will bring impeccable judgment, grace and level-headedness to the deanship. Her style is inclusive and collegial, but decisive,” Paul Mahoney said. Mahoney is the dean of the University of Virginia School of Law.