Message from Makau Mutua, Interim Dean

Let me begin by saying how honored I am to have been asked by University at Buffalo Provost Satish K.Tripathi to serve as Interim Dean of UB Law at this exciting time in its history.

I also want to express my appreciation to my friend and colleague,Nils Olsen, for his many years of service to the Law School as our dean.We made enormous strides during his tenure, and I wish well in his future endeavors.

I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff and alumni on all the important matters facing our institution. The continued hard work, enthusiasm,and support of our alumni, colleagues and friends in the legal community will be of immeasurable service to me as your interim dean and colleague.

In keeping with this transition, I am very pleased to announce several new appointments to the administration of the Law School.Professor Jim Gardner has kindly agreed to assume the responsibilities ofVice Dean for Academic Affairs. In this connection, he is working closely with Professor Susan Mangold to ensure a smooth transition in that office. I want to take this opportunity to thank Professor Mangold for her invaluable service to the Law School in the past four years.Her devotion,dedication, and energy—all offered with incredible warmth and sensitivity – have resulted in more coherence and greater organization for the Law School’s academic programs. I have also asked Professor Errol Meidinger to take on an expanded role as the Vice Dean for Research and Faculty Development. In this new role,Professor Meidinger will add to his responsibilities matters relating to faculty development to more comprehensively support faculty scholarship and stimulate broader recognition of their many accomplishments.

To create greater coordination of our administrative activities, I have asked Mr. Jim Newton to assume the new post of the Associate Dean for Administration. Mr. Newton will coordinate the activities and services of the various administrative offices in the Law School, and will continue to direct employer relations efforts, national outreach, and reporting to the Law School’s accrediting agencies.

These changes come in the midst of the Law School planning process which is underway and the dean search process that is ongoing. I am happy to report to the Law School community, especially our beloved students and alumni, that UB Law is in great shape and is poised to achieve even greater heights.

Sincerely,

Makau Mutua