University News

University of Memphis law professor James R. Smoot has been appointed dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the U of M. He replaces long-time former dean Don Polden who left in June 2003 to take a similar position at Santa Clara University. The appointment takes effect immediately.

Smoot has taught at the U of M law school since 1990. His areas of specialty include banking law, corporations, partnerships and secured transactions. He has also served on the faculty at Valparaiso University School of Law.

A graduate of the Yale Law School, Smoot was executive editor of that school's law journal. He later clerked for the Honorable Henry J. Friendly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He practiced with Cravath, Swaine & Moore in its New York and Paris offices, and he served as deputy general counsel to the Readers Digest Association.

Smoot holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California, where he graduated summa cum laude and was tapped for Phi Beta Kappa.

The new dean has articulated a number of goals for the law school. Among them are: working closely with the University administration to develop creative solutions to long-term funding issues, working with the law faculty to enhance the School's contacts with the legal and business communities, and working with law alumni to foster closer relationships to their alma mater. He will also work closely with the American Bar Association's law school accreditation committee during the law school's re-accreditation process, which is currently underway.

"Obviously, one of the primary areas of focus will be our facilities," said Smoot. "It's no secret that we need a new building, as we have outgrown our current facilities. I look forward to working with President Raines, our faculty, and our alumni as we move through this process."

In making the announcement, U of M President Shirley C. Raines pointed to the many accomplishments of the law school. "It is well documented that over the last 10 years, our law school has typically led all law schools in Tennessee in bar passage rates. Additionally, our placement rates have exceeded the national average for each of the last 12 years. This is a tribute to the quality of our faculty and our students."

Bar passage rates at the U of M have averaged 88.5% over the last 10 years, jumping up to 92% in July 2000 while the state pass rate was 83%.

Raines said she is pleased that an internal candidate emerged during the search process. "I think Jim Smoot is the best choice to continue the stellar reputation our law school has achieved and he is the best person to lead the school as we address the opportunities that lie ahead."

Since its founding in 1962, the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has awarded degrees to more than 5,000 students. Through its Legal Clinic, the School provides legal services to many persons, such as juveniles, abused women, and the elderly, who might otherwise be unable to afford legal advice or representation. Although it is the youngest law school in Tennessee, it has earned a reputation around the nation and the world for educating outstanding practicing lawyers and judges. Its graduates include federal district judges, U.S attorneys, state trial and appellate judges, and Tennessee legislators.

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