by MEGANN DAW
Rodney A. Smolla likens his professional life to a Johnny Cash song--“I’ve been everywhere, man.” Everywhere includes places like Colorado, Arkansas and Australia, but Smolla will come to Lexington as Dean of Washington and Lee's School of Law in July.
Smolla's appointment brought an end to the 10-month dean search that began when former Dean David Partlett accepted a position of dean at Emory University’s law school.
The 13-person search committee sought a candidate with personal accomplishment and an understanding of W&L Law, according to their prospectus.
“We were looking for someone who could take the school forward by promoting W&L to the larger legal community and reinforcing ties with our alumni,” committee member Juliette Syn said in an email, “while staying connected to the current student community and being responsive to their concerns.” Syn was the only law student in the group.
W&L President Ken Ruscio, a former colleague of Smolla's at the University of Richmond, chaired the committee. Smolla said that Ruscio being at the university was “an added plus,” but says that both men put their personal relationship aside and remained professional throughout the process.
Faculty member and student groups also met job candidates and passed on their opinions to the search committee.
Acting Dean Brian Murchison said Smolla has an incredible scholarly record, is a student-focused teacher and dean and is said to be a good administrator.
And Smolla's 43-page curriculum vitae speaks for itself: He has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, been published in law reviews and written books, articles, plays and short stories.
Currently, Smolla is the George Allen Professor of Law and Dean of the T.C. Williams School of Law at University of Richmond. He has been there since 1998, and dean since 2003.
W&L Student Bar Association President Adam Hull said University of Richmond law students will miss their dean--Hull received angry e-mails from friends at Richmond after Smolla announced that he would be moving to W&L.
Smolla said he was attracted to the new position because of W&L's great reputation and his many associations with the university over the years.
“I had always had wonderful times when I was there in Lexington,” Smolla said in a phone interview. He said he expects “the best of both worlds” - a peaceful setting for intellectual study and a fast-paced learning environment with quality faculty.
Smolla said that he wants to diversify the student body and faculty, increase classroom space at the law school and improve financial aid. Smolla recognizes, however, that this is not only up to him.
“I don't think of deans as taking law schools places.” Smolla said he would work with the university's strategic plan that is already in place, but acknowledged that new issues will inevitably crop up.
As an expert in First Amendment Law, Smolla said he also wants to get involved with W&L's undergraduate journalism department. Department Head Brian Richardson said this would be beneficial.
“His reputation is a magnet for very good people to come here,” Richardson said.
Hull also said students wanted a dean who would raise money to fund student activities, get involved with the student body and support service activities. And the most important question:
“Does this person get the ‘W&L thing,’ which is hard to quantify,” said Hull. Hull said Smolla was a good choice.
While at W&L, Smolla said he wants to be an energetic dean and continue to write, speak, teach and take pro bono cases. He also wants to take time to travel.
Smolla and his family plan to move to Lexington, although some of his children will be away at school. Smolla said they are looking forward to the move, and he is anticipating the new relationships he will form.
Murchison said he hopes Smolla has a rewarding experience and takes advantage of an oppirtunity to make an impact.
“My advice to Dean Smolla is to have fun with the job,” said Murchison, “to get to know our students, to get to know our alumni, to get to know our faculty and to get to become a part of the community here.”
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd