I continue to write, teach and arbitrate labor disputes. I published my first two books in the last three years. When I have completed my work as dean, I will embrace rejoining the faculty. I will not see it as redemption, however, but rather as the next phase in my academic career. Traditionally, when law deans gather together, as we do a number of times each year, there is much gnashing of teeth and sorrowful wailing.
Deans tend to feel unappreciated.
It can be a lonesome occupation and, at some schools, a downright impossible job. At times, law faculties and university presidents pick the wrong people to serve as deans. Selection processes tend to identify dean candidates with the same credentials, in particular scholarly accomplishment, academics use to select faculty. I can report without hesitation that scholarly abilities have little to do with the administrative jobs of a law school dean. On the other hand, it is critical that a dean understand the academic environment, including the process of scholarly research.