Associate Dean for Public Service and Public Interest

George Washington University

United States, D.C., Washington

Jun 05, 2025

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:	Established in 1865, the George Washington University Law School is the oldest law school in the nation's capital and one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. The Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. GW Law is situated in the tree-laden downtown Washington, DC neighborhood familiarly known as Foggy Bottom. In the Fall of 2021, at the urging of two recent alumni, the law school created a Public Interest Advisory Council. Its twenty-three members provide guidance and financial support for the program, as well as mentorships and participation in substantive programs. The Council, which meets twice a year, was instrumental in the creation of a course on Public Interest Advocacy that will be offered for the first time in the Fall of 2025. The principal focus of the Public Interest Program is to encourage students to pursue careers in the non-profit or government sectors and to make it possible to follow those paths and supporting them in doing so. The program begins with three days of events immediately before formal orientation when interested entering students are invited to learn about public service here in Washington. The incumbent collaborates with the Career Center, by producing substantive events that focus on exploring careers of different fields as well as vital topics such as funding careers through federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Law School's Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Another significant focus of the program is encouraging students to undertake pro bono work, both for the current benefits to others in need of legal assistance and to get students "into the pro bono habit," so that no matter what jobs they have in the future, they will want to make time for pro bono. Although they operate separately, the program is closely aligned with the law school's clinics and the field placement (externship) program. The incumbent is responsible for managing the performance of four staff member. Once being the Program Manager, Public Interest and Public Law Service. This individual serves as the principal point of contact for students and is in charge of the arrangements for the extensive substantive events that the program sponsors. The Associate Dean's duties may include, but not be limited to, the following: Manage the overall program and provide direct supervision of the program manager and three program associates. Participate in the planning and implementation of the public interest pre-orientation; Select and provide mentorship to five entering students who are chosen to be public interest scholars; Review submissions for the Howard Rudge Innovation Prize and work with the donor to determine the winner; Supervise the summer grant program (and the more limited one during the academic year) and lead the discussion to determine the awardees; Supervise the process and lead in the selection of visiting Richey fellows and assure that their time here is useful for the students and rewarding for them; Oversee the creation and proper implementation of the program's budget; Support the Public Interest Advisory Council and provide them with information and other assistance to enable their to assist the program; Oversee the pro bono program generally, more directly supervising law school created opportunities, and originate and implement new pro bono projects; Work with the law school financial aid office to implement the school's Loan Repayment Assistance Program; Support the federal Student Loan Forgiveness program, including examining proposed changes and submitting comments, either for the law school or as part of a coalition, to improve its operation or to resist harmful amendments; Assist in raising funds for the various aspects of the program with a particular focus on supporting summer grants; Attend events with prospective students and alumni to showcase the program; Participate in substantive programs focusing on cases involving issues of significant public interest, including the law school's annual Supreme Court preview; Be available to the media to discuss pending litigation in areas of substantive expertise; Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Dean or the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in consultation. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the Dean or the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:	Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 10 years of relevant professional experience, Master's degree, or higher, in a relevant area of study preferred. Relevant experience must include at least 4 years of senior leadership/executive level experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:	Strongly preferred candidate will hold a Juris Doctor (or LLB) degree, be currently licensed to practice law (preferably in the District of Columbia) and have practiced law for approximately 10+ plus years. Significant experience in a law job in the government (federal, state, or local) and with a non-profit organization that provides legal services, preferably at a senior level. Significant experience in legal education beyond attending law school, including law school teaching. A personal profile that includes significant demonstrated achievements and strong visibility in the academic, nonprofit, and/or government sectors in the field of public interest law. Demonstrated administrative and management experience and capabilities with previous experience in program administration, fundraising, public service, and/or public relations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of students as well others in the law school community. An interest in communicating on legal topics, by writing articles, op eds, and/or blog post, including, but not limited to the area of public interest law; An interest in participating on programs and working with the media covering the above topics; Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as in teams. Ability to work creatively within broad program goals.
Hiring Range	$124,973.63 - $218,703.87
GW Staff Approach to Pay	How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:	Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department:	GW Law School (LAW)
Family	Academic Affairs
Sub-Family	Academic Administration - School
Stream	Executive
Level	Level 2
Full-Time/Part-Time:	Full-Time
Hours Per Week:	40+
Work Schedule:	Monday through Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site?	Yes
Employee Onsite Status	Hybrid
Telework:	Yes
Required Background Check:	Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:	Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only?	No
Posting Number:	S013735
Job Open Date:	06/05/2025
Job Close Date:
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening	Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:	The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.