NEW YORK, June 30, 2010—Fordham University has named Michael M. Martin, University Distinguished Professor of Law, interim dean of the Law School, as of August 16, 2010. Martin replaces William Treanor, who was named executive vice president and dean of the Georgetown University Law Center yesterday.
“We are sad to lose Bill Treanor’s leadership, of course,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. “We are fortunate, however, in the depth and breadth of talent among the Fordham Law faculty, and especially blessed in having a scholar of Mike Martin’s stature to pick up the reins while the University conducts a search for a new dean.”
Martin, part of the Fordham Law faculty since 1972, has served as an associate dean at the school, and on a number of committees, including the curriculum, faculty appointments and tenure and reappointment appeals committees. He has been the faculty moderator for the Fordham Law Review, and is a co-author (with Daniel Capra, Reed Professor of Law) of the five-volume Federal Rules of Evidence Manual and of the New York Evidence Handbook. He has also written other books, law review articles, and (for 26 years) a column on evidence for the New York Law Journal.
“In naming Professor Martin the interim dean of Fordham Law, we entrust the students, faculty and staff to the care of a distinguished legal scholar and proven leader,” said Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., senior vice president/chief academic officer, and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Fordham. “Mike Martin’s extensive experience and sound judgment will be absolutely essential to the Law School during its leadership transition.”
Martin served as associate dean from 1995 to 2001 and twice since has served as associate dean for administration. His principal subjects are Torts, Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Conflicts of Law. In 2005 he was named teacher of the year. Before joining Fordham, Martin taught at the University of Washington and the University of Chicago law schools. He has also held a visiting professorship at the University of Virginia law school.
In the fall, the University will begin a national search for the dean’s position, the first step of which—choosing a search committee—will take place over the next month.
“The University is committed to fully engaging the Law faculty and key alumni in the search for the new dean,” Freedman said. “Their input will be invaluable in helping us identify the qualities an ideal candidate should possess, and in helping to determine the pool of candidates Fordham will consider for the post.”
Treanor has been on the Fordham faculty since 1991, and dean of the School of Law since 2002. He will assume the new position at Georgetown in August.
“Bill Treanor’s tenure at Fordham has been marked by a string of successes,” Father McShane said. “He has performed more than a decade of extraordinary service to Fordham. We will miss his leadership and intellect. I know the Law School and the University community join me in wishing him continued success at Georgetown.”
