UA law school appoints first female dean

Toni Massaro, a 10-year UA James E. Rogers School of Law professor, was chosen Thursday to replace departing law school dean Joel Seligman.

George Davis, a University of Arizona geosciences professor and chairman of the search committee, said Massaro was chosen because of her track record within the college and her dedication to seeing it thrive.

"She is investing in the future of this place, and she is not going to take off," Davis said. "She said during the interview, 'I don't want to be a dean. I want to be a dean of this law college."

The search began last November after Seligman announced he was leaving the UA effective June 1. Seligman has since taken the job as dean of the law school at Washington University in St. Louis.

Davis said 25 to 30 people applied for the job, and after the search committee contacted references and reviewed resumes, five were asked to participate in a two-day interview.

During the interview, applicants met with students, faculty, alumni and administrators. Davis said this process helped officials find the eventual winner.

"One of the things we found out in the interview process is that she is very well regarded in the community," Davis said.

Massaro, who teaches Constitutional law and civil procedures, said she was thrilled when the job was offered to her.

"The national search was to find the best candidate," Massaro said. "Needless to say, I am glad they decided it was me."

Massaro will be the first female dean of the UA law school, an accomplishment Davis said was significant.

"When you look across the country at colleges of law, women aren't represented in deanship positions as they are in faculty ranks," he said.

Massaro praised the university for minimizing the gender factor during the selection process.

"It didn't seem to be an issue," she said. "That speaks volumes about the program."

Massaro said her first priority will be to meet with UA law school alumnus across the country to get input and hear their concerns.

In November, university alum James E. Rogers increased the total of several prior donations to the law school to $115 million dollars. The money will be paid over 20 years.

Massaro said she wanted to use some of the Rogers gift to expand the faculty in areas important to the southwest - the border law, tribal law and environmental law areas.

"We want to deepen our resources in these," she said. "We want to make us the best in these."

Despite the money from Rogers, Massaro said she will have to continue fundraising, although not just for financial gifts.

The new dean said she wants to expand on the interdisciplinary team concept with other professions, something she said will help in resolving legal disputes.

"I am looking for partnerships, ideas and ways to connect up together," Massaro said.