May 2024
Dear friends,
It is with mixed emotions that I share this farewell message as I prepare to transition from my role as Dean of the Willamette University College of Law after more than four years of service. My time here has been incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this remarkable community and witness the many accomplishments achieved together.
Throughout my tenure, I have been continually inspired by our law school community's dedication, resilience, and spirit. We navigated unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic, wildfires, and an ice storm, emerging stronger and more united than ever before. Together, we embraced innovation, prioritized student success, and solidified our position as a leader in experiential legal education.
I am proud of the strides we have made in enhancing transparency, access, and equity in legal education. The transition to renewable, durable scholarship awards and the introduction of the Academic Excellence Fellow program have played a pivotal role in supporting our students' academic success and retention. Our expanded experiential learning offerings, including the new immersion externship program, have provided invaluable hands-on training and prepared our graduates to excel in their legal careers.
One of our most significant contributions has been our leadership in advocating for attorney licensure reform. Adopting the Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination, a groundbreaking new licensure pathway, will open doors to a more equitable approach to attorney licensure and enable our future graduates to serve our state's most vulnerable populations better.
I am equally proud of our strides in supporting our faculty and enhancing their experience by adopting unified tenure. The hiring of new faculty members and the upcoming launch of our criminal defense clinic, supported by a legislative appropriation, will further strengthen our academic programs and enrich the educational experience for our students.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without our alum community's unwavering support and generosity. Your enthusiasm and commitment to the College of Law has been instrumental in our success, as evidenced by our record-breaking fundraising efforts. These resources have allowed us to invest in our facilities, academic programs, and the overall impact we can have on current and future generations of law students.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Dean, and I am confident that the College of Law is well-positioned for continued success and impact in the years to come.
Thank you for your support and for the opportunity to be a part of this remarkable journey. I look forward to witnessing the many accomplishments and contributions the College of Law will make in the years to come.
Warmly,
Dean Brian Gallini
Willamette University College of Law