My law school has a new dean... an international-law scholar

President Barbara R. Snyder announced today that Lawrence E. Mitchell, an internationally prominent business law scholar at George Washington University, will become the new dean of the School of Law at Case Western Reserve University.

“Lawrence Mitchell possesses the intellect, energy and enthusiasm required to lead our law school forward,” Snyder said. “He is creative, collegial and absolutely committed to engaging students, staff, faculty and alumni.”

At George Washington, Mitchell is the Theodore Rinehart Professor of Business Law and the founding executive director of the Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF). Mitchell founded the center in 2009 to promote interdisciplinary research and advance public dialogue. The center sponsors public conferences and faculty workshops and also publishes working papers and scholarly anthologies.

Earlier in his career, Mitchell launched the Sloan Program for the Study of Business in Society, an initiative that brought together scholars of corporate law, business and the humanities for conferences and retreats. A major focus of the program was to provide mentoring and support for promising junior faculty.

“The School of Law at Case Western Reserve is an extraordinary place. Many of its faculty are leaders in their fields, and the legal skills program is one of the most forward-thinking in the nation,” Mitchell said. “I am eager to work with students, staff, faculty and alumni to learn more about the school and its potential.”

Pamela B. Davis, dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs, chaired the search committee. Maxwell Mehlman, Arthur E. Petersilge Professor of Law and director of the Law-Medicine Center, co-chaired the group.

“I want to thank Dean Davis, Professor Mehlman and the entire search committee for the enormous time, thought and energy devoted to this process,” Provost W.A. “Bud” Baeslack III said. “The group spent nights and weekends interviewing the most promising candidates, checking references and ultimately making recommendations to the president and me. Their dedication to the School of Law is remarkable, and we are most grateful.”

The appointment is not final until approved by the university’s Board of Trustees.