Pepperdine Picks New Law School Dean

announced Thursday that Deanell Reece Tacha, a Kansas native and a judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will be the next dean of the School of Law. The announcement follows a nine-month search for the replacement of Ken Starr, who left last June to become the president of Baylor University.

“Devoting more than a quarter century of work to both the public and private sectors, including 25 years of service with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, Judge Tacha has had an exemplary career in advancing the rule of law, as well as helping to improve society as a whole through her legal efforts and community service,” Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton said in a press release. “As a former professor and associate dean at the University of Kansas School of Law, Judge Tacha also possesses a keen mind for legal education and practice, coupled with solid academic experience that will enable her to lead our Law School’s continued pursuit of excellence.”

Tacha has sat on the 10th Circuit court since January, 1986. She was chief judge from 2001 to 2007. Prior to joining the court, Tacha served as an associate professor (1974 to 1977) and professor (1977 to 1985) at the University of Kansas School of Law. She also had several administrative titles while at the university.

Tacha received a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in 1968 and a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1971. She was a White House Fellow from 1971 to 1972. Tacha practiced law in Washington D.C. and Kansas before taking the job at the university. She was director of the Douglas County Legal Aid Clinic from 1974 to 1977. 

Further information about Tacha can be found here.

Information from a Pepperdine University press release was used for this article.