A new AALS study, “Relentless: The Pressures Shortening Law School Deanships and What Must Change,” finds that law school dean tenures have fallen by more than half over the past century. Co-authored by AALS researcher Katie Kempner and Patricia Roberts, dean at St. Mary’s University School of Law, the report draws on surveys from over 200 current and former deans plus 70 interviews conducted between November 2025 and February 2026. Financial pressure topped the list of concerns, cited by nearly 70 percent of respondents, and deans who served fewer than four years pointed to strained relationships with university administration as a major factor.

The study also flags a leadership gap: fewer than 20 percent of deans received formal leadership training before taking the role, and only 5.5 percent got executive coaching. Tenure gaps by demographics were notable too, with women deans serving about two years less on average than men, and nearly half of Black deans’ terms lasting under four years. A quarter of departures happened earlier than planned, often tied to burnout or governance problems. The authors recommend better leadership preparation, clearer hiring processes, and stronger mentorship to support future deans, even as many in the role still describe it as deeply rewarding.