Mark Brandon has been named the next dean of the School of Law at the University of Alabama, according to The National Law Journal. Brandon is a professor at Vanderbilt University Law School right now and will take over the dean’s position on July 1 at Alabama. He is replacing interim dean William Brewbaker. Brewbaker has been serving as interim dean since July of 2013 when Kenneth Randall resigned from the post.
Brandon earned his law degree from the school in 1978.
“Dr. Brandon has gained a wealth of experience from many of the top universities in our nation, and we’re pleased to welcome him back to lead the University of Alabama School of Law,” university interim provost Joe Benson said. “He has a remarkable vision and outstanding leadership qualities honed over his 30-plus years of service. We look forward to the new heights our law school faculty, staff and students will attain with his guidance.”
Brandon spoke with The National Law Journal this week, saying that the law school is tracking upwards and that he sees more potential for improvement.
“The law school at Alabama is a terrific place,” he said. “It’s got great students, a terrific faculty, and its physical plant is in excellent condition. We want to make sure we’re providing a broad and deep curriculum for students. We also want to show the world that Alabama is a place where great scholarship happens.”
Brandon said that the relatively low tuition is attractive to students. Those who attend the school from in-state residences pay just under $21,000 per year. He also said that the tuition must stay affordable.
Brandon is an expert on constitutional law and has been teaching at Vanderbilt since 2001. He ran the school’s Program in Law and Government in both 2010 and 2011. He also was the head of the Program in Constitutional Law and Theory from 2006 to 2010. Prior to Vanderbilt, Brandon taught political science at the University of Michigan and the University of Oklahoma.
