Roger Fairfax, Jr. Named Dean of Washington College of Law
After an extensive national search, Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. has been named as the new dean of American University Washington College of Law (WCL). Fairfax, a prominent...
After an extensive national search, Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. has been named as the new dean of American University Washington College of Law (WCL). Fairfax, a prominent legal scholar, educator, and nationally known expert on criminal justice, last served as the Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professor and founding director of the Criminal Law & Policy Initiative at George Washington University Law School.
“American University is delighted that Roger Fairfax, Jr. will be joining our community,” said Acting Provost Peter Starr. “He brings to Washington College of Law an impressive combination of scholarly accomplishment, professional expertise, academic leadership experience, and a commitment to social equity. I look forward to working with Dean Fairfax to support the extraordinary work of WCL faculty, staff, and students.”
Fairfax previously held positions at GW Law School as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for Public Engagement. His scholarship has been published in books and leading journals, and he has taught courses and conducted research on criminal law and procedure, professional responsibility and ethics, criminal justice policy and reform, racial justice, and grand jury and internal investigations. Fairfax has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts throughout higher education and the legal profession.
“I am truly honored to join Washington College of Law and American University and look forward to building upon the foundation of WCL’s impressive tradition of scholarly and teaching excellence, commitment to diversity and equal justice, and service to the legal profession and society – in the District of Columbia, throughout the nation, and around the world,” said Fairfax. “I am excited to work with WCL’s world-class students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as university partners and external stakeholders, to amplify WCL’s rich legacy of leadership and uncompromising excellence, and to propel WCL into a bold and exciting future.”
WittKieffer’s Werner Boel and Veena Abraham led this search.