University of Richmond Names Rodney A. Smolla Next School of Law Dean
January 31, 2003
The University of Richmond has named Rodney A. Smolla, the George Allen Professor of Law and a nationally recognized First Amendment scholar, the next dean of the T.C. Williams School of Law, effective July 1, 2003.
Winner of numerous teaching and writing awards, a highly sought-after lecturer on constitutional and mass media issues, and a frequent counsel before the country's highest courts, Smolla joined Richmond's law school in 1998. In December, he argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in a cross-burning case that made national headlines. In August 2000, a television network produced a film, "Deliberate Intent," based on a book that Smolla wrote about his successful representation of a Virginia family against the publisher of a "hit man" manual.
"Professor Smolla is recognized throughout the state and the nation for his exceptional record of scholarship, teaching and practice in the legal field," said University of Richmond President William E. Cooper. "He has earned the respect and admiration of our faculty and students and will provide valuable leadership to the law school."
Smolla earned a bachelor's degree in American studies from Yale University, going on to graduate first in his class from Duke University School of Law. He served as law clerk to Judge Charles Clark of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Jackson, Miss., before entering private legal practice with Mayer, Brown & Platt of Chicago.
Smolla added teaching to his credentials in 1980 when he was appointed assistant professor by DePaul University College of Law. Subsequently, he taught law at Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Denver, Duke and William and Mary.
"The University of Richmond is a wonderful institution," Smolla said. "I have truly loved my life as a university professor and my life as a lawyer, and I am honored to have this chance to work with my colleagues across the campus to help provide our students, present and future, with educational opportunities as excellent as any in the nation."
A prolific scholar, he has written 11 books and more than 40 law review articles and many other law school casebooks and other publications. His book "Free Speech in an Open Society" won the William O. Douglas Award in 1992 as the year's best monograph on freedom of expression.
In 2002, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia presented Smolla with its Outstanding Faculty Award for superior accomplishment in teaching, research and public service. He has twice been selected by Richmond's law graduates to deliver the faculty address at commencement and is chair of the university's faculty council.
Smolla succeeds John R. Pagan, who announced last year that he would return to the faculty to continue teaching and scholarship after serving six years as law dean. During his tenure, Pagan led advances in student recruiting and bar passage rates, and completed a successful $6 million campaign.