Law
dean named
Scarnecchia
takes helm early next year
Suellyn
Scarnecchia, associate dean for clinical affairs and clinical
professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School, has
been named dean of the UNM School of Law, effective Jan. 1.
2003, UNM Provost Brian Foster has announced. She is the first
woman to hold the post.
Suellyns
visit to UNM generated a great deal of excitement. There is
broad support for her candidacy and we look forward to working
with her, Foster said.
This
opportunity to build on the fine tradition of legal education
at the University of New Mexico is a true privilege and I am
honored to receive it, Scarnecchia said. I look
forward to working closely with the faculty of the School of
Law to provide students an excellent legal education and to
serve the legal community of New Mexico.
Scarnecchia
began teaching at U. of Mich. Law School in 1987 as a clinical
assistant professor. She has been associate dean for clinical
affairs since 1996. She also served as associate dean for administration
and clinical coordinator. Under her leadership, the clinics
gained national recognition for faculty and program excellence.
Currently,
she is on special assignment to the Provosts Office.
Scarnecchia practiced for six years with McCroskey, Feldman,
Cochrane & Brock in western Michigan, where she specialized
in employment discrimination litigation on behalf of plaintiffs.
She left the firm as a partner and joined the U. of Mich. Child
Advocacy Law Clinic in 1987. In 1993, she represented the prospective
adoptive parents in the high profile custody dispute over Baby
Jessica.
Her research
interests include bias in the courts, childrens rights
and corporal punishment of children.
Scarnecchia
has been a member of the University of Michigans Interdisciplinary
Research Program on Violence Across the Lifespan and Campus
Safety and Security Committee since 1998, which she now chairs.
She has
published numerous articles on childrens rights and race
bias.
Scarnecchia
received a bachelors degree in history from Northwestern
University, 1978, and law degree from the University of Michigan
in 1981.
Current
dean Robert Desiderio announced his resignation effective June
30, 2002, but will remain in the position until Scarnecchia
takes the helm.