A new era for Temple Law School

When my wife and I were visiting law schools and trying to decide where I should enroll, we considered all the critical factors, but the thing that finally made Temple Law School stand out from the others on our "short list" was the character and qualifications of Temple Law's dean, Robert Reinstein. Now, Reinstein is stepping down, after my first year at Temple Law, and the school is in the midst of selecting his successor.

During our visit on "admitted students' day," Reinstein immediately struck us as personable, brilliant, and admirable. I don't have time to get into specifics here, but I can say that a speech he gave that day was filled with so much sincerity and meaning that my wife actually cried. Granted, she was very pregnant at the time, but it wasn't just the hormones. And, when we later spoke to him in person, he let us go on and on, never intimating that he had to move along or get to some more pressing matter. After I selected Temple and became a student, he continued to impress me.

Now that he's stepping down from the dean post, Reinstein is going to devote his law school time to teaching. I'm sure he'll be doing other things too. He's already teaching a course on constitutional law. My understanding is that he's going to take a year off. Maybe a sabbatical? Then, he'll be back on the roster. I just wish I had signed up for his constitutional law course this semester, before he takes off.

The school's dean search committee has narrowed down the field to three candidates, one of whom seemed ill-prepared and poorly suited for Temple Law when he came to speak to the students during a scheduled introduction on the campus. So, I think we're really down to two realistic candidates. I, personally know almost nothing useful about the candidates. Delving into their qualification, just so I can inject my opinion into the fray, along with all the other students, is just not something I can fit into my schedule. I'm a 1L (first year law student) who works and has a wife and two young children.

Of course, we all know candidate JoAnne Epps, the current Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (and law professor). I really don't even know all that much about her, but I do know she has earned a stellar reputation among students, faculty and alumni. For another candidate to become dean, he'd have to bring an amazing resume and stunning presence.