Lawson named St. Thomas School of Law’s new dean
Lawson named St. Thomas School of Law’s new dean
Tamara F. Lawson has been appointed dean of St. Thomas University School of Law.
Lawson will assume the role immediately, succeeding Dean Alfredo Garcia who is now serving as interim provost of St. Thomas University.
“My acceptance of the appointment is inspired by our students,” Lawson said. “As a first-generation college and law school graduate, I am particularly connected to our mission. It is my privilege and honor to lead St. Thomas Law into our next chapter.”
Lawson previously served as the law school’s associate dean for faculty development from 2013-2017, and associate dean for academic affairs from 2017-2018.Lawson became the school’s interim dean in June 2018.
“She possesses an innate understanding of the needs of our diverse law student body that is unmatched by many of her contemporaries,” University President A. Armstrong said. “We’re beyond fortunate to have her at St. Thomas University, and I trust that she will lead our school of law with distinction in her new role.”
Outgoing Dean Alfredo Garcia also described Dean Lawson as being uniquely equipped to foster the mission and values of St. Thomas University School of Law.
“She is an accomplished scholar, teacher, and administrator,” said Garcia. “Furthermore, Dean Lawson is a leader in the legal academy and the national bar. Her talents will propel the law school to new heights.”
Lawson, who joined the St. Thomas Law faculty in 2004, will be the first woman of color to serve as dean. She now leads a law school nationally ranked for the diversity of its student body and that has, for over three decades, consistently adhered to its mission of providing opportunities for those groups who have historically been underrepresented in the legal profession.
As a member of the law school faculty, Dean Lawson taught criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and a seminar on race and the law. she was also twice named the professor of the year. She has co-authored two casebooks, and has had her articles published in prestigious law journals such as the American Journal of Criminal Law, the Iowa Law Review, and the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law. She is also a highly sought-after speaker on issues of race, policing, and the law, and was tasked by the ABA to be the reporter for its National Task Force on Stand Your Ground Laws.
Born in Los Angeles, Lawson earned her B.A. at Claremont McKenna College in California, her J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and her LL.M. (with distinction) at the Georgetown University Law Center.
