The Law School Survey of Student Engagement Announces New Board Members

The Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) is proud to announce that Ajay K. Mehrotra, executive director of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) and professor of law at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law; Camille A. Nelson, dean of American University Washington College of Law; and Kellye Y. Testy, president and chief executive officer of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), have joined the LSSSE National Advisory Board.

“We are delighted to welcome Ajay, Camille, and Kellye to LSSSE’s National Advisory Board,” said Meera E. Deo, director of LSSSE. “The role of the board is to help shape the strategic direction for LSSSE using an approach that applies effective educational practices to law school improvement. Their insights into the world of legal education, both its history and the modern law school environment, will provide an important perspective to our work and to the future of the project.”

Bryant Garth, chair of the LSSSE National Advisory Board and vice dean and distinguished professor of law at UC Irvine School of Law agreed, noting, “LSSSE has become one of the leading organizations in legal education. It is central both to research agendas and to improving legal education. The expertise and perspective that these stellar legal educators bring will be invaluable for LSSSE’s future.”

Mehrotra was appointed director of the ABF in 2015. Prior to his appointment, he was associate dean for research, professor of law, and the Louis F. Niezer faculty fellow at Indiana University's Maurer School of Law—Bloomington. From 2007–2011, he was codirector of the Indiana University Center for Law, Society, and Culture, where he was a university-wide leader on interdisciplinary approaches to the study of law. Mehrotra's scholarship and teaching explore legal history and tax law, with a focus on law and political economy in historical and comparative perspective.

“It's a great honor and pleasure to be on the LSSSE Board. The unique and insightful data gathered by LSSSE has been invaluable not only to researchers and law schools, but to everyone concerned about the legal profession. I look forward to working with the other board members and the LSSSE research team in furthering the organization’s mission,” said Mehrotra.

Testy joined LSAC in July 2017 after serving as the 14th dean and first woman to lead the University of Washington School of Law. A prolific scholar, outstanding teacher, and experienced administrator, Testy is known throughout academic and legal communities for her dedication to the rule of law and commitment to justice and equality. Named the nation's second most influential leader in legal education in 2017 by the National Jurist, Dean Testy served as the president of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) in 2016, with the presidential theme, “Why Law Matters,” focusing on how the law plays a critical role in setting the foundation for justice and human prosperity.

“Law students hold the future of justice in their hands and minds, and it is the responsibility of everyone in the legal education community to work together to help them succeed,” remarked Testy. “I support the efforts of LSSSE to understand the needs of law students and improve their law school experience, and I am honored and delighted to join the LSSSE National Advisory Board.”

Nelson has long been an outstanding member of the law community. Prior to joining American University as dean of the Washington College of Law, she was a litigator at a large Canadian law firm, a clerk for the Supreme Court of Canada, professor of law at Hofstra Law School, dean's scholar in residence and visiting professor at Washington University School of Law, and dean of Suffolk University Law School. A widely published scholar and dynamic speaker, Nelson is an expert on the intersection of critical race theory and cultural studies. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of American Law Schools, the Governing Council for the American Bar Association Center for Innovation, and the Advisory Board of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System.

“It is an immense honor to join the Advisory of Board of LSSSE,” said Nelson. “I am particularly impressed with LSSSE as a student-centered and focused provider of innovative research support and services which have attracted national and international recognition. I look forward to supporting their mission of helping law schools proactively assess, and thereby support, the experiences of their students."

About LSSSE

LSSSE surveys law students about their activities, experiences, and satisfaction in law school, and uses the data generated from its survey to help law schools improve student outcomes. Participating law schools receive anonymized data as well as analytical reports that provide context and comparison to groups of law schools. LSSSE data also are used in research on legal education by law schools and higher education scholars. With more than 350,000 responses by law students since its inception in 2004, LSSSE comprises perhaps the largest database on legal education. Learn more at lssse.indiana.edu.

Contact
Chad Christensen
812.856.5823
chachris@indiana.edu