Vermont Law School (VLS) seeks applications and nominations for a new President and Dean who will lead our community and advance the mission of the school. VLS is a private, independent law school established in 1972. The new President and Dean will have the opportunity to build on the momentum that VLS is experiencing and will assume the position in July, 2012.

The reach of Vermont Law School is national and global, with more than 95 percent of our 600 students from outside the state of Vermont and from 20 foreign nations. The school offers a strong core curriculum that is supported and enhanced by a variety of experiential programs and institutes. In addition to the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, VLS awards a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Environmental Law, an LLM in American Legal Studies for foreign-educated lawyers, and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP). VLS is the only law school in Vermont and is a major resource for the state’s legal community and for all branches of state government.

Vermont Law School offers the largest graduate Environmental Law program in the country and has consistently been top-ranked in this specialty. As a leader in environmental law, Vermont Law School is active in redefining what that field encompasses to include a broadening array of social justice, energy policy, wildlife, land use, sustainability, and climate crisis issues. The multidisciplinary approach of our environmental curriculum, institutes and clinics covers law, policy, science and ethics and emphasizes student engagement with real-world problems in the search for responsive solutions.

Vermont Law School’s nationally-ranked Experiential Learning Programs offer a variety of opportunities that readily meet our students’ varied interests. Students may put classroom theory and doctrine into practice through our award-winning General Practice Program or Semester in Practice Program, as well as by participating in any number of legal clinics, internships, externships.

The law school’s extensive International and Comparative Law Programs exemplify the school motto, “Law for the Community and the World.” We are one of the few law schools in the U.S. to offer international dual degrees. Our students may earn a JD together with a degree from the University of Cambridge, the University of Cergy-Pontoise or the University of Seville. We also offer semester exchanges with McGill University, the University of Cergy-Pontoise, the University of Trento, and, beginning this year, with Renmin University in Beijing. Several of our own courses include a study abroad component in China, Seville or Trento, and students may also gain global experience through our International Semester in Practice Program. Vermont Law School’s other cooperative programs include joint degrees with the Yale University School of Forestry and the Tuck School of Business at nearby Dartmouth College.

As an independent law school, VLS is particularly well-positioned to successfully navigate the challenges of the future through creativity and innovation. For example, our new distance learning program allows professionals to continue working while pursuing an LLM or MELP degree through an innovative, academically rigorous online program.

Reporting to and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the new President and Dean who joins the VLS community will:

-communicate a vision and implement policies consistent with the school’s mission;
-enhance the school’s financial strength through actively engaging in external fund raising and other institutional advancement activities;
-manage the finances and administrative operations of the law school; -provide collaborative and effective leadership;
-lead within a culture of shared governance with the VLS faculty, staff, and students;
-sustain, promote, and enhance the teaching, service, and research activities of VLS, its faculty, staff and students;
-work with faculty and students on curricular and programmatic changes to meet the challenges confronting legal education today and in the future;
-support the school’s commitment to diversity that is central to our inclusive community.

The new President and Dean should have highly effective communication skills, the ability to instill confidence in all the school’s constituents, and administrative experience of sufficient scope and complexity to successfully lead a dynamic, entrepreneurial
institution. The President and Dean should have a collegial leadership style that values community, consultation, and transparency. The successful candidate will need a distinguished record of
accomplishment in law, legal education, other higher education, government, non-profit organizations, or in the private sector, that warrants appointment to the rank of Professor of Law.

Vermont Law School is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, race, color, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and candidates who will add to the diversity the VLS senior management team are particularly encouraged to apply.

Review of applications will begin in October 2011 and continue until the position is filled. Applicants for this position should submit a cover letter describing how their background, talents, skills and experience match the qualities VLS is seeking in its new Dean and President, a current resume and the names of at least three
professional references to the Vermont Law School Dean Search Committee. Electronic submissions (Adobe PDF format) are strongly encouraged and should be sent to deansearch@vermontlaw.edu. Hard copy communications should be mailed to Ms. Helen McCarthy, Special Assistant to the Dean Search Committee, Vermont Law School, P.O. Box 96, South Royalton, Vermont 05068.

Inquiries regarding the position may be made to Professor Mark Latham, co-chair of the Vermont Law School Dean Search Committee, at 802 831-1226, mlatham@vermontlaw.edu.
Initial inquiries and applications will be kept in strictest confidence.

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