Dean, College of Law
U of I is pleased to be working with Buffkin / Baker to find the next leader for our College of Law. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out directly to the position contact to learn more.
The dean has responsibility to oversee and implement policies and priorities of the college and university. The Dean for the College of Law leads the college faculty in the development of policies and priorities governing the academic programs of the college. The dean facilitates the appropriate inclusion of faculty, staff, students and stakeholders in the college decision-making processes. The academic programs of the college are directly affected by program planning, definitions of goals and priorities, instructional methods and standards, student advising, mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders, research policies, allocation of resources, fund-raising and the development of professional standards related to the branches of learning for which the college is responsible. The academic programs of the college include graduate/professional instruction and research activity. It is expected that the dean satisfactorily employs strategies to implement objectives and achieve the strategic goals while carrying out the mission of the college.
The dean can be based in Moscow on the University of Idaho main campus, in the nexus of the President, Provost, Deans and the other academic leaders, and travel to and from the Boise campus. However, U of I is equally open to consideration of the new dean being based in Boise, with travel to and from the Moscow campus, while being a visible, accessible and integral part of the university’s leadership team.
Position information
Unit overview
Established in 1909, the University of Idaho College of Law has a statewide mission to deliver affordable public legal education. As part of that mission, the College of Law has developed a focused, high-quality curriculum, including opportunities for professional development, hands-on legal clinics and networking in Moscow and Boise. Students have the option to complete all three years in either Moscow or Boise. This option broadens and deepens the Juris Doctor curriculum with emphasis areas that correlate with Moscow’s academic campus and Boise’s entrepreneurial and governmental opportunities. Each of these communities presents a distinct array of venues for learning and professional development.
Experiential learning opportunities complement the classroom experience, and we provide practical opportunities for students to refine their lawyering skills while helping those most in need. We have a robust Semester in Practice program and several in-house legal clinics in which third-year law students take cases, conduct research and draft documents under the supervision of practicing attorneys, judges or policymakers. Students and employers report that University of Idaho College of Law graduates leave law school well-equipped to practice law.
Search committee
- Ginger Carney (chair), Dean, College of Science
- Maureen Braley, External Member, Executive Director, Idaho State Bar
- Stephanie Ballis, Senior Director of Development, U of I Foundation
- Leon Samuels, Staff Boise, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
- Todd Bowman, Staff Moscow, Experiential Learning Manager
- Joseph Isanga, Faculty Boise, Associate Professor
- Nick Smith, Faculty Boise, Assistant Professor
- Wendy Couture, Faculty Boise, Distinguished Professor
- Kristi Running, Faculty Moscow, Clinical Professor
- Richard Seamon, Faculty Moscow, Professor
- Ryan Lincoln, Faculty Moscow, Clinical Associate Professor
- Rylie Mackie, Law Student, Boise location
- Search coordinator: Mary Stout, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President
Search timeline
- Position recruitment opens — Feb. 10, 2026
- First consideration date — March 26, 2026
- First and second round interviews — April 2026
Explore the Opportunity
Learn more about position expectations and qualifications through our executive search partner. First consideration date: March 26, 2026.