Deanell Reece Tacha Named Dean at Pepperdine

Judge Deanell Reece Tacha of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, former Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Kansas, has been named Dean at Pepperdine, effective June 1. From the Pepperdine press release:

“Devoting more than a quarter century of work to both the public and private sectors, including 25 years of service with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, Judge Tacha has had an exemplary career in advancing the rule of law, as well as helping to improve society as a whole through her legal efforts and community service,” said [Pepperdine University President Andrew K. Benton] “As a former professor and associate dean at the University of Kansas School of Law, Judge Tacha also possesses a keen mind for legal education and practice, coupled with solid academic experience that will enable her to lead our Law School’s continued pursuit of excellence.”

Grant Nelson, the William H. Rehnquist Professor of Law at Pepperdine, added his reaction to the announcement by saying, “I have known Judge Tacha for over 40 years. She not only is a brilliant judge, she is a warm and caring human being. I am overjoyed that she has chosen to join us. It is a marvelous day for Pepperdine.”

Judge Tacha has been a Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, since January, 1986. She served as Chief Judge from January 2001 through 2007. Tacha earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kansas in 1968 and her juris doctorate from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1971, and was a White House Fellow (1971-1972).

She returned to the University of Kansas where she served as Associate Professor at its School of Law from 1974-1977 and as Professor of Law from 1977-1985. She served as Associate Dean from 1977-1979, as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs from 1979-1981, and as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs between 1981-1985. …

Judge Tacha’s appointment follows a nine-month national search to replace former Dean Kenneth W. Starr who was named President of Baylor University in June of 2010. “We interviewed several excellent internal and external candidates for the position,” noted Pepperdine Provost Darryl Tippens. “Judge Tacha emerged as the person best positioned to have an immediate positive impact on our school and the university.” Tippens added, “Not only is she a respected jurist and legal scholar; she is experienced in academic administration having served as the chief academic officer of a major American university. Pepperdine is fortunate Judge Tacha has agreed to commit her energy, enthusiasm, and intellect to our University.” …

During her distinguished career, Judge Tacha served as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States and was named in 2006 by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to the Conference’s Executive Committee. Previously, Chief Justice Rehnquist appointed her to serve two terms as Chair of the Conference’s Committee on the Judicial Branch which oversees the federal judiciary’s relationship with Congress and the executive branch. Judge Tacha also was a member of the United States Sentencing Commission which is responsible for studying and making recommendations to Congress about federal sentencing policy.

Judge Tacha’s international experience will serve her well at Pepperdine’s School of Law which pursues many robust global initiatives in several parts of the world. She has represented the judiciary of the United States internationally on several occasions, including participating in the American College of Trial Lawyers Anglo-American Legal Exchange among members of the bench and bar in the United States and in the United Kingdom. In 1992, the American Bar Association selected Judge Tacha as a member of a delegation of lawyers and judges who traveled to Albania to assist that nation in developing a new constitution and government, and in 2007, Judge Tacha represented American judges in the Canadian-American Legal Exchange.

As a spokesperson for enhanced ethics, professionalism, and civility in the legal profession, Judge Tacha has been active in the American Inns of Court movement. She helped found the Judge Hugh Means American Inn of Court in Lawrence, served on the national Board of Trustees of the American Inns of Court, and was its national president from 2004-2008. Her contributions to the legal profession were recognized when she was named recipient of the Devitt Award in 2007, the highest honor given to a federal judge for distinguished lifetime service. In 2008, she was recipient of the John Marshall Award, which the American Bar Association bestows for positively impacting the justice system.

It has been a great two days at Pepperdine: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke yesterday at the law school on Foreign Policy in a Post-9/11 World.

Update: