Minnesota native is named new dean of U Law School

By JEFF SHELMAN, Star Tribune

Last update: December 18, 2007 - 12:24 AM

A Minnesota native who is an expert on international law and human rights will be the next dean of the University of Minnesota Law School.

David Wippman, who is currently Cornell University's vice provost for international relations and a law professor, was named dean of Minnesota's highest-rated law school.

The hiring is subject to approval by the university's Board of Regents, likely at its February meeting. If approved, Wippman, an Edina High School graduate, will take his new position July 1, 2008.

By the time Wippman takes over as dean, the Law School will have been without a permanent leader since Alex Johnson resigned as dean in 2006. Wippman will replace interim co-deans Fred Morrison and Guy Charles. The university Law School is tied for 20th in the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings.

"David Wippman is an eminent scholar, a trusted and collegial leader, a highly admired teacher and an experienced practitioner, with the very highest aspirations for our great law school," university Provost Thomas Sullivan said. "I am confident that we have chosen one of the very finest deans in the country to lead our law school forward, locally, nationally and internationally."

Wippman earned his juris doctorate from Yale Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. Before joining the Cornell faculty in 1992, Wippman practiced law in Washington. He also served in the administration of President Bill Clinton as the director of the National Security Council's Office of Multilateral and Humanitarian Affairs from 1998 to '99.

Last month, Wippman, 53, was named as one of five finalists for the position. He was chosen over Nora Demleitner, the interim dean and a professor at Hofstra University Law School; Gregory Alan Hicks, the interim dean and a professor at the University of Washington Law School; Edward Larson, a professor at Pepperdine University, and Leon Trakman, the immediate past dean and a professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

"I'm honored to have been asked to lead the University of Minnesota Law School," Wippman said in a statement. "As dean, I look forward to meeting and working closely with all faculty, alumni, students and staff to move the Law School to ever higher levels of achievement and impact. I'm excited to begin our work together."

Jeff Shelman • 612-673-7478