Expert on Japanese Law named dean of Michigan Law

By Katie Vloet U-M Law Communications Mark D. West, currently the associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Michigan Law School and a highly regarded scholar whose research focuses on the Japanese legal system, will be the 17th dean of the Law School beginning Sept. 1, 2013, pending approval by the U-M Board of Regents. ? The appointment of West, the Nippon Life Professor of Law, was announced last week by Provost Philip Hanlon.? "This is an exciting time to be at Michigan Law," said West, who joined the Law School as an assistant professor in 1998. "We have spectacular new facilities. No law school has a finer faculty or a more outstanding student body. I am inspired by the dedicated community of alumni, faculty, administrators and staff who are committed to facing the continuing challenges of legal education together. It is a tremendous honor to have been chosen as dean." West will succeed Dean Evan Caminker, whose 10-year tenure will end on Aug. 31. West said one of the strengths of the Law School is its collegiality, which has shaped his scholarship and teaching. "I came to Michigan in part because faculty here care deeply about teaching students and producing first-rate scholarship. People are interested in each other's work, collaborate generously, and collectively create an atmosphere that is both intellectually rigorous and supportive," he said. "I appreciate our unique culture, and I look forward to helping to foster the spirit of collegiality for all of us who share a connection to this special place and to its history and traditions." One of the top law schools in the country, the history of Michigan Law goes back more than 150 years, to 1859. The school has built a reputation not only as collegial, but also interdisciplinary, diverse and globally engaged. University leaders said West is the right person to build on that history and shape the school's future. "Mark West brings to the deanship the valued strengths of brilliant scholarship and strong academic administration," said President Mary Sue Coleman. "His global knowledge and experiences will be of great benefit to the future direction of Michigan Law. His overall expertise and insight make Mark an exceptional choice to lead one of the nation's premier legal education programs." "I am very pleased that Professor West will assume the leadership of the Law School at a time when thoughtful approaches are needed to basic issues facing legal education, such as curriculum, costs, technology and globalization," said Hanlon, U-M provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "Mark West is an experienced administrator with a strong commitment to fostering an engaged intellectual community within the Law School and across the university, assisting students with the challenges ahead as the legal profession experiences change, and fundraising for Law School initiatives." During Caminker's time as dean, the Law School has expanded its physical space, as well as the depth and breadth of its academic offerings. The footprint of the Law School has grown to include the new South Hall academic building, as well as the Aikens Commons and Kirkland & Ellis Café. Caminker has been widely praised for the completion of the structures, not just because of their architectural grandeur but also because he was responsible for getting them built during an economic downturn. The Law School continues to adapt its curriculum to the challenges facing the legal profession, with a particular focus on making graduates practice-ready from day one. Caminker predicted that West, with whom he has worked closely, will do a superb job at taking the school forward. "Mark West will be an outstanding new dean for the Law School. I'm confident he has the leadership skills and vision necessary to maintain and enhance the school's greatness and reputation in the years ahead," Caminker said. West earned his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, where he was Notes and Comments Editor of the Columbia Law Review, and his bachelor's degree from Rhodes College. Published: Thu, Jan 17, 2013

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