Stanford Law Hires New Dean
Stanford Law has appointed a new dean to head its legal education.
Jenny S. Martinez, who joined Stanford Law faculty in 2003, will officially start as dean starting April 2019. Martinez will succeed Mary Elizabeth Magill, who has served as the dean of Stanford Law since 2012, the Stanford Daily reports.
“[Martinez] has a naturally collaborative style of leadership and a vibrant vision for Stanford Law School’s role in a rapidly changing world,” Jane Schacter, professor of law and co-chair of the search committee for the new dean, tells Stanford Daily. “She is well positioned to hit the ground running and provide wise and creative leadership to move the school forward.”
An Accomplished Background
Martinez is an experienced litigator and currently teaches courses on international law, constitutional law, civil procedure and international business transactions at Stanford Law, according to the Stanford Daily.
She is also an active member of the American Law Institute and U.S. State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Law having previously clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer and Judge Guido Calabresi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She’s worked on trials related to war crimes, genocide, and humanity crimes, according to the Stanford Daily.
Martinez says today’s current issues require a collaborative effort to solve—with lawyers playing a key role in building solutions.
“So many contemporary legal and policy issues — whether it be climate change, criminal justice reform, migration and refugee issues, artificial intelligence, and many more — require the expertise of not just lawyers, but scientists, engineers, historians, economists, and more,” Martinez tells the Stanford Daily. “Stanford lawyers have a really important role to play in contributing to solving pressing problems in our community, nation, and world and I want to help make that happen.”
Increasing Diversity
Martinez, who is Hispanic, is part of a larger trend of law schools building more diverse administrations.
According to Law.com, women now make up a third of deans at ABA-accredited law schools—a number that experts believe will continue to grow.
“Magill has led Stanford Law School to new heights of achievement and innovation,” Drell said. “I am delighted that Jenny Martinez has agreed to serve as dean of the Stanford Law School. She brings an enthusiasm for the future of Stanford Law School and she will be a great addition to the senior leadership of the university.”
Sources: Stanford Daily, Law.com