Cal Western Dean Takes Helm of ABA Committee

Tuesday, August 9, 2005

Page 3

Cal Western Dean Takes Helm of ABA Committee

By a MetNews Staff Writer

California Western School of Law Dean Steven R. Smith is the new chair of the American Bar Association’s Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Smith assumed the position Saturday at the ABA’s annual meeting, the school said in a release.

Smith, who became dean and professor of law the San Diego school in 1995, will serve as the head of the ABA section that is responsible for the accreditation process for American law schools. It also studies and makes recommendations for the improvement of legal education and the bar admissions process.

“I congratulate Steve Smith on this outstanding appointment,’’ California Western Chairman of the Board Kenneth J. Greeman, Jr. said in a release. “Steve will represent California Western well as he takes on this important position and I’m confident his leadership will be invaluable to American legal education.”

During the past year Smith has served as chair-elect under outgoing Chair Elizabeth B. Lacy, a justice of the Virginia Supreme Court.

“I expect to continue to examine the state of legal education during my term as Chair,’’ Smith said in a statement. “The ABA Legal Education Section is responsible for educating the next generation of lawyers and bringing them into the legal profession. It is my hope that this year we can find ways of improving legal education and providing more efficient and effective ways of smoothing the transition from law school to practice. The Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has many challenges, but the staff and volunteers of the section have enormous commitment and creativity. It will be an exciting year.”