Terence Lau Named Dean of Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse University announced that Terence J. Lau L’98 as the 13th dean of Syracuse University’s College of Law. “We are excited to welcome Terence Lau...
Syracuse University announced that Terence J. Lau L’98 as the 13th dean of Syracuse University’s College of Law. “We are excited to welcome Terence Lau back to Syracuse University,” said Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter. “His distinguished record and depth of experience as a lawyer and a higher education leader make him an outstanding choice to be the next dean to lead the College of Law.”
Lau, a College of Law alumnus, brings extensive legal and higher education experience to the position. He came to Syracuse from California State University, Chico, where he was a professor of management. He held numerous leadership positions at the university, including as dean of the College of Business (2018-2023), where he oversaw nearly 70 faculty and 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In that role, Lau shepherded the launch of new online M.B.A. and B.S.B.A. programs, managed successful reaccreditation and led fundraising for a new building. Lau also served as interim dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management (January 2023-July 2023) and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs (July 2023-February 2024).
Previously, Lau was the associate dean for undergraduate programs and a professor of business law at the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to Syracuse where I received a legal education that transformed my professional life,” Lau said. “Syracuse Law launched me to a level of success I didn’t even dream was possible. The college’s unique programs, including the hands-on clinics and first-in-the-nation JDi program, as well as top-ranked trial advocacy programs, are already distinctive and impactful programs. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, alumni and benefactors, and members of the legal community, to advance the college’s reputation and provide our students with an exceptional legal education.”
Prior to his time in higher education, Lau held leadership roles in government affairs and law. From 2000 to 2002, he served as director of ASEAN Governmental Affairs for Ford Asia Pacific Operations in Bangkok, where he represented Ford’s government affairs with company affiliates, industry organizations and the governments of 10 countries affiliated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Prior to that, he was an attorney in the International Practice Group for the Ford Motor Company. Lau served as a Judicial Fellow at the U.S. Supreme Court, working for the counselor to the chief justice of the United States, from 2006 to 2007.
WittKieffer’s Werner Boel and Ashlee Winters Musser led this search.
Related Articles
