Stuart Rabinowitz, the president of Hofstra University, announced earlier this month that Eric Lane has been appointed as the ninth dean of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Lane takes over as dean beginning on January 1, 2013. Lane has been the interim dean of the law school since March, according to a press release from the school.
Lane has been teaching at Hofstra Law for over three decades and is the Eric J. Schmertz Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Public Service. President Rabinowitz selected Lane as the new dean following a national search.
“I am pleased that Eric Lane, who is a distinguished legal scholar, a renowned author and a superb academic administrator, will lead the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University into a new era,” said President Rabinowitz. “His service to the Law School and the University over the past 35 years has been exemplary.”
Lane said, “These are challenging times for American law schools, but these challenges provide a real opportunity to rethink legal education and implement thoughtful changes directed toward an improved, more just legal system.”
“In keeping with our origins,” he said, “Hofstra Law will add even more focus on providing our students with the necessary experiential education required to succeed. I also believe that students must graduate with a fundamental understanding that being a lawyer is an honor that carries great responsibility. I look forward to leading Hofstra Law in this effort.”
Lane graduated from Brown University and earned his Master of Arts degree from Stony Brook University. He earned his J.D. from Fordham Law School and a Master of Laws degree from New York University. Lane joined the faculty at Hofstra Law in 1976 and has taught courses in constitutional law, literature, law, statutory interpretation and the legislative process. Aside from teaching, Lane has also authored three books.