In Defense Of Dean Lawrence Mitchell
Is Dean Mitchell of Case Western Law the victim of a "smear campaign" by a disgruntled law professor?
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY — PRESIDENT BARBARA R. SNYDER — MESSAGE TO LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI
From: President Barbara R. Snyder
Date: November 8, 2013, 3:41:03 PM EST
To the Alumni of the School of Law:
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As some of you have heard or read, Dean Lawrence E. Mitchell has taken a leave of absence, effective Wednesday Nov. 6. The decision comes in the wake of litigation that alleges he retaliated against a faculty member for raising concerns about certain of Mitchell’s actions when he first became dean in 2011.
We believe the dean has made the right decision in stepping aside at this time. It allows the school community to focus more squarely on its crucial work of education and research, and at the same time gives the dean time to concentrate on his own circumstances.
Our primary interest is the best interest of the school. The provost and I met with faculty and staff the day the dean issued his announcement, and also sent the message posted below to students. The school’s new curriculum, strengthened fundraising and improved admissions efforts all represent progress we want to help continue. We are consulting with faculty, staff and alumni leaders now regarding an acting dean, and expect to announce an appointment soon.
Our conversations to date underscore the profound commitment people feel for the law school. Again and again, individuals have emphasized their strong desire to assist in any ways that they can. Faculty, staff, students, graduates – even those from other parts of the campus – all are eager to contribute support during this difficult time. We will draw heavily on that goodwill in the weeks and months to come. Even before this development, the challenging national legal education landscape demanded our best ideas and efforts.
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At the same time, we have a responsibility to act as any organization should when confronted with serious allegations. In this instance, the faculty member alleged that the dean had engaged in sexually harassing behavior in 2011. We investigated those reports at the time, but now have directed our outside counsel to commission an independent review of the lawsuit’s allegations to ensure each is evaluated to the fullest extent possible. Once that review is complete, we will take appropriate action.
I regret that I write to share such news, particularly given the school’s recent gains. We are committed to ensuring they continue, even as this matter winds through the legal process. I will contact you again once we have named an acting dean, and will continue to provide updates as developments warrant.
Sincerely,
Barbara R. Snyder
President
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November 6, 2013
To the Students of the School of Law:
Earlier today you received an email from Dean Mitchell announcing that he is taking a leave of absence. We believe he made the right decision for the school, as it allows all of you to focus more squarely on the important work of learning- and gives your faculty and staff greater opportunity to concentrate on guiding and supporting you in preparing for your future. It also gives the dean the opportunity to concentrate more completely on his own situation.
We regret the distractions you have experienced in recent weeks, as well as the sense of disruption this new transition may create. We are consulting extensively with faculty and alumni, and will announce an acting dean as soon as possible. We also have identified key university officials to assist the school in such areas as finance, admissions and fundraising. We have enormous faith that your entire community will pull together to ensure the school’s success.
We feel tremendous excitement about the new curriculum approved this summer, and look forward to its full implementation next fall. Your school has tremendous strengths in health and international law, while the new FUSION program also has drawn positive reviews. Then, of course, there are all of you, students of tremendous talent and intellect who already are demonstrating enormous promise. Just this weekend several of your classmates won the Ohio Attorney General’s Public Service Mock Trial Competition, as well as multiple individual awards. A few days earlier, students in the Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic prevailed in a free speech case involving a suburban political candidate. We know the coming months will feature many more impressive accomplishments.
For now, we encourage you to continue your outstanding work within and outside the classroom. Your faculty and staff are committed to addressing your concerns as directly as possible, and have urged us to do the same. We will schedule a meeting with you soon after we have completed our leadership selection, and look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions then.
Sincerely,
Barbara R. Snyder
President
W.A. “Bud” Baeslack III
Provost and Executive Vice President
MITCHELL V. KU: DEAN LAWRENCE MITCHELL’S MOTION TO STRIKE
Dean Mitchell motion to strike.pdf
Ku v. Mitchell: Dean Mitchell’s Emergency Motion To Strike [Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas]
Lawrence Mitchell’s attorneys file motion to strike [Crain’s Cleveland Business]
Allegations Against Dean Mitchell Are “Scandalous,” “Salacious” and “Irrelevant” [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
Earlier: Law School Dean Accused Of Sexual Harassment Takes Temporary Leave Of Absence
Lawsuit Accuses Prominent Law School Dean Of Sexual Harassment (And More)
Larry Mitchell’s Response To Sexual Harassment Allegations? ‘I encourage you to give your full attention to classes.’
