Dean, Western State College of Law

Western State College of Law at Westcliff University

Tustin, California

Western State College of Law at Westcliff

University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean. Founded in 1966, Western State is the oldest law school in Orange County, California, and has a long tradition of expanding access to legal education while preparing students for practice. With more than 12,000 alumni, including over 100 members of the judiciary, the law school plays a central role in the Southern California legal community.

An ABA-accredited institution, Western State is distinguished by its student-centered pedagogy, small class sizes, and commitment to experiential learning. The curriculum integrates rigorous doctrinal instruction with a robust clinical and externship program to ensure graduates are practice-ready. In February 2025, Western State reported an 88.2% first-time pass rate on the California Bar Examination, the highest among reporting California law schools for that administration. The Class of 2024 had a 90.4% employment rate in jobs that are JD required or JD advantaged.

Since 2019, Western State has operated within the academic ecosystem of Westcliff University, a WSCUC-accredited private university headquartered in Irvine, California, that serves more than 9,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. As the only ABA-accredited, for-profit law school in the United States, Western State occupies a distinctive position in American legal education. The institution blends academic credibility with entrepreneurial agility and maintains a mission to serve working professionals and historically underserved populations.

The next Dean will lead Western State at a moment of both promise and strategic growth. Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Westcliff University, the Dean will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the law school and will provide visionary leadership for its Juris Doctor program and related initiatives.

The Dean will advance bar passage and student success, further strengthen experiential and practice-focused offerings, and guide the continued development of innovative program delivery models, including hybrid and part-time pathways. The Dean will also oversee the expansion and relaunch of non-JD programs, such as the Master's in Legal Studies with a concentration in Healthcare Compliance.

As the primary liaison to the American Bar Association, the Dean will ensure compliance with accreditation standards and will work collaboratively with faculty to support shared governance and academic planning. Externally, the Dean will represent the law school to alumni, employers, the judiciary, and the broader legal community, enhancing Western State's visibility and strategic partnerships. Within Westcliff University, the Dean will contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives and enterprise-level strategy.

Leadership experience in legal education is strongly preferred, along with demonstrated success in fostering student achievement, academic program development, faculty engagement, and institutional advancement. The successful candidate will bring a deep commitment to access-oriented legal education and to strengthening outcomes in bar passage, career placement, and student success.

Western State seeks a Dean who is a thoughtful, mission-driven leader capable of advancing the law school's academic excellence and strategic goals. The ideal Dean will demonstrate a record of building trust within academic communities and will be adept at navigating governance structures, regulatory environments, and evolving student needs. The successful candidate will also be an effective communicator and ambassador who can strengthen relationships with alumni, employers, legal professionals, and external stakeholders.

The Dean will combine principled academic stewardship with strategic vision and operational effectiveness while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. A deep appreciation for the law school's historic commitment to access, opportunity, and professional readiness is essential.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile. The anticipated salary range for this position is $375,000-$450,000.

Western State College of Law has retained McDermott + Bull (www.mbexec.com) to assist with this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to:

Corey Paquette

cpaquette@mbexec.com