Jaquish & Kenninger Dean of Law
Required skills
- Constitutionalist
- Builder
- Strategist
- Communicator
- Fundraiser
- Mission alignment
- Objective measures of merit
Nice to have
- Judges
- Practicing lawyers
- Academia
Role summary
UATX is seeking a Dean to establish a new, bold legal program focused on defending the Constitution. This role involves designing the curriculum, building the program from the ground up, recruiting faculty and students, teaching, and managing the program's budget and fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate will be a builder, strategist, communicator, and fundraiser with a strong commitment to constitutional law and merit-based admissions. Experience as a judge, practicing lawyer, or in academia is preferred.
The University of Austin (UATX) seeks an exceptional person to become its inaugural Jaquish & Kenninger Dean of Law. Supported by a $10 million endowed chair, the Dean will create a new approach to the study of law, built from first principles rather than from the template every existing law school follows.
The Dean must be a committed Constitutionalist. As a strategist, communicator, and fundraiser, the Dean will lead the new venture. He or she will design the curriculum, attract and retain distinguished faculty, recruit outstanding students, teach them, manage the program’s budget, oversee its operations, and graduate students prepared for careers of consequence.
UATX exists to secure freedom in America by educating citizens who will uphold the United States Constitution as the framework of our republic and the guarantor of our liberty. UATX admits students solely on objective measures of merit. Its faculty share a conviction that higher education can be done better, and a commitment to graduating well-informed, responsible citizens and future civic leaders.
UATX welcomes applications from sitting and former judges, practicing lawyers in the private and public sectors, legal academics, and leaders of organizations devoted to the Constitution and the rule of law.
Compensation is negotiable.
To apply, please submit:
- A CV.
- A letter of intent answering one question: What would you build, and how would it differ from the law schools that exist?
- One piece of your writing you want the committee to read (e.g., an opinion piece, a brief, an article, a speech).
Submit on Lever, or send directly and confidentially to the co-chairs, Adam Biggs (abiggs@uaustin.org) and Claire Brickman (cbrickman@uaustin.org). Only the search committee sees applications until a candidate advances.
Search Committee includes:
Judge James C. Ho, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Judge Andrew S. Oldham, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Judge Amul R. Thapar, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Claire Brickman, Industry Expert in Residence, University of Austin, Co-Chair
Adam Biggs, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, University of Austin, Co-Chair
