Emory Law

Law School Names Female Dean

Emory University School of Law just appointed the first woman to serve as dean since the school’s founding in 1916.
The school announced last Thursday that Mary Anne Bobinski will assume the post this August.
“Mary Anne Bobinski is a nationally recognized legal scholar in health law and one that leads with an eye towards the impact lawyers can have on society,” Emory President Claire E. Sterk says in a press release. “Her track record of inclusiveness and ideals around collective impact will enhance our program and deepen our relationships with the legal community and beyond.”
ACCOMPLISHED BACKGROUND
Bobinski currently serves as a professor at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. She previously served as the school’s dean from 2003-2015.
Prior to her time at UBC, she was the John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Law and Director of the Health Law and Policy Institute at the University of Houston Law Center. Bobinski specializes in torts, health law, health care finance, bioethics, legal aspects of HIV infection, and reproductive health law issues, according to her UBC profile.
“In Mary Anne Bobinski not only have we found a distinguished legal scholar, but a leader whose vision and strategic approach led to her law school’s recognition as one of the strongest programs in Canada and one of the top 35 law schools in the world,” Dwight A. McBride, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, says in the press release. “Given her scholarship, experience, leadership, and demonstrated track record as a fundraiser, she will excel as a transformational leader for Emory Law.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
Bobinski will be critical in helping Emory Law develop a strategic plan to operationalize efforts as the law school addresses challenges to legal education in the 21st century, according to the press release.
“Emory Law School is a university gem and deserves an experienced, passionate, and forward-thinking leader,” Erika James, dean of Emory’s Gouizeta Business School, says. “The search advisory committee did an outstanding job in identifying Mary Anne Bobinski from a strong and deep field of candidates. I am confident that she will lead the law school with purpose and conviction and I personally look forward to working with her as a fellow dean at Emory.”
Sources: Emory Law, University of British Columbia