New deans appointed at Appalachian, Stetson, University of the Pacific

After a hiatus for the holidays, law schools resumed naming new deans in early January. Within a week, three had announced new top administrators, each of whom will take the reins at the end of this academic year.

? Stetson University College of Law tapped Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, now a law professor and vice chancellor at Louisiana State University Paul M. Herbert Law Center.

??The Appalachian School of Law named as dean and president Lucy McGough, who also is a professor at LSU's law school.

??The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law announced that Francis "Jay" Mootz ? now a professor and associate dean at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ? would be its next leader.

At Stetson, which is known for its strong advocacy program, Pietruszkiewicz replaces interim dean Royal Gardner, who assumed that post following the departure of longtime Dean Darby Dickerson in July. Dickerson became the dean at Texas Tech University School of Law.

"Chris Pietruszkiewicz is recognized and respected nationally as a leader in legal education," said Stetson Provost Elizabeth Paul. "I am confident that with his dynamic leadership, the Stetson University College of Law will continue to flourish as an excellent law school and earn distinction as an exemplar of 21st century legal education."

At Appalachian, McGough will replace Clinton Shinn, who plans to return to teaching after serving as dean since 2006.

"We are pleased that professor McGough has agreed to lead [the law school] into the next phase of its development," Shinn said. "I am confident that with someone of her stature at the helm, the institution will continue to mature on both a regional and national level."

McGough has taught family law, criminal justice and juvenile law, including a clinic for 3Ls who represent juveniles in court. Her husband, James Bowers, who also teaches at LSU, will join her at Appalachian.

At McGeorge, Mootz will replace Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker, who has headed the law school for 10 years.

"Jay Mootz brings a compelling balance of professional and academic experience to the table," said University of the Pacific Provost Maria Pallavicini. "Jay is a visionary, leader, teacher and scholar. He has taught for 21 years, worked as an associate dean at two law schools, practiced as a commercial litigator and published widely on legal issues. He is also a strong advocate for legal education in a liberal arts environment--a core tenet at Pacific McGeorge."

At UNLV, Mootz has taught contracts, insurance law, jurisprudence and payment systems, and has written on a variety of subjects including insurance and contract and sales law.

Contact Karen Sloan at ksloan@alm.com.

Source: http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202537864120&rss=nlj

uss arizona memorial d day fun. words with friends words with friends roy orbison red solo cup