NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2009

CONTACT: KATIE GALLAGHER
517/432-6848, galla145@law.msu.edu

MSU Law Professors M. Lawrence, Payne, and Staszewski Named Associate Deans

Appointments Follow Creation of Two New Law College Posts

East Lansing, MI – Michigan State University College of Law Dean Joan Howarth appointed three professors to associate dean positions, effective July 1, 2009. Professor Kathy Payne was appointed as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor Michael Lawrence now serves as Associate Dean for Graduate, International, and Interdisciplinary Programs, and Professor Glen Staszewski began as Associate Dean of Research.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Professors Lawrence, Payne, and Staszewski." Dean Howarth says. "Dean Payne is a master teacher who will be working to develop and enhance our core J.D. program, and Deans Lawrence and Staszewski will help continue the upward trajectory of our school's profile, its international recognition, and interdisciplinary relationship with MSU. They make a strong team whose leadership will prove to be very beneficial to the Law College."

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kathy Payne

As the second-highest officer at the Law College, Dean Payne's primary administrative responsibility will be the J.D. program. She will prepare the course schedule, provide an administrative perspective for faculty committees on academic policies, curriculum, and admissions; and support faculty development along with the Associate Dean for Research.

Dean Payne teaches Secured Transactions, Bankruptcy Reorganizations of Business, Contracts, Legislative Drafting, and Torts, and received the MSU Law Student Bar Association's Distinguished Professor Award for 2004-05.

Associate Dean for Graduate, International, and Interdisciplinary Programs Michael A. Lawrence

In this newly created post, Dean Lawrence's primary administrative responsibility will be oversight and direction of the Law College's existing programs as well as strategic development of new programs.

He teaches courses on Constitutional Law, International Law, and Property, and his current research interests are in the field of constitutional law. Dean Lawrence frequently lectures and teaches short courses on these and other topics in various countries around the world. He was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Law College from 2001 to 2003.

Associate Dean of Research Glen Staszewski

In the newly created post of Associate Dean of Research, Dean Staszewski will have primary administrative responsibility for helping junior faculty to develop and advance their research agendas, investigating and facilitating opportunities for grant applications and awards, and developing and supporting internal policy initiatives to encourage and support faculty scholarship.

Dean Staszewski's scholarship focuses on issues of democratic theory and practice that arise in the making and implementation of law in the modern regulatory state. He is currently working on several projects that examine the nature of statutory interpretation by administrative agencies. He regularly teaches Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, and Legislation.

Michigan State University College of Law is a leading institution of legal education with a long history of creating practice-ready attorneys. As one of a few private law schools affiliated with a major research university, MSU Law offers comprehensive interdisciplinary opportunities combined with a personalized legal education. After a hundred years as a private and independent Law College, the affiliation with MSU has put the Law College on an upward trajectory of national and international reputation and reach. MSU Law professors are gifted teachers and distinguished scholars. Law College curriculum is rigorous and challenging and the facility is equipped with the latest resources-all affirming MSU Law's commitment to educating 21st century lawyers.

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