Law School Deans

Duquesne Law Dean Dumped

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Pop quiz hotshot. You’re a law school dean who has been given 24 hours to resign or you’ll be removed. What do you do? What. Do. You. Do?

…

This was the ultimatum given to (former) Duquesne Law School Dean Don Guter. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Guter was more than surprised by the move:

Reached today, Mr. Guter said he was given without explanation the option to resign in 24 hours or be removed.

“My reaction to this is shock. The school — really by a lot of people’s accounts, not just mine — has never been in better shape,” he said.

The ABA Journal underscores the apparent randomness of the Guter’s ouster:

[Guter] says he was offered no explanation for the loss of the dean’s job, and a university press release, which confirms that he is being replaced on an interim basis by constitutional law professor Ken Gormley, also does not provide any reason for the change, according to the newspaper.

Guter’s supporters and detractors after the jump.

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Apparently, Guter had matched wits with Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty before:

During Mr. Guter’s tenure, the law school has seen gains in a number of indicators including its bar-passage rate, which rose to 97 percent from 68 percent. But there have also been tensions between the law school and university President Charles Dougherty, including the president’s initial refusal to grant tenure to professor John Rago despite a favorable faculty vote and backing of the dean.

The president’s refusal sparked a student protest before Dr. Dougherty reversed couse and granted Mr. Rago tenure.

But nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition:

Bruce Ledewitz, a law school faculty member since 1980, called the move by the university unimaginable.

“This is an appalling decision. It shows that performance means nothing at Duquesne,” Mr. Ledewitz said. “All that matters is if President Dougherty personally likes you.”

But what was the straw that broke Mr. Guter? This sounds like a job for the extensive ATL tipster network. If you have inside information on why Guter was asked to leave, please send them to tips@abovethelaw.com. If you have wild and fun speculation … you know we welcome that in the comments too.

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Duquesne law school dean ousted [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Duquesne Ousts Law Dean [ABA Journal]

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