The Schapiro effect

While the job of law school dean invariably comes with a lot of limelight, one of Dean Robert Schapiro’s most admirable leadership traits has been his desire to spread that light around - to shine it on alumni, faculty, students, and staff and on the many programs and offerings of the law school he holds dear. Now that Schapiro has stepped down as dean of Emory Law after six years of tireless service, we wish to reflect on his efforts and accomplishments, to reflect back some of that light he has so selflessly shared with us.

Though his labors have been many and varied over the years, four areas of Schapiro’s deanship stand out as particular strengths: increased alumni activism, greater student body diversity, expansion of non-JD programs, and a stronger faculty profile.

“Dean Schapiro has done an excellent job of reinvigorating the Emory Law alumni,” says John Latham 79L, partner at Alston & Bird, “particularly those outside of Atlanta. He made a point of speaking outside of the law school, which gave the broader legal community an opportunity to meet him and learn of the exciting developments at the school.”

“Robert has traveled far, wide, and regularly to meet Emory Law alumni on their own turf,” chimes in Chilton Davis Varner 76L, partner at King & Spalding. “He has engaged many who were previously spectators.”

Schapiro’s skillful leadership has been keenly appreciated, even more so because he held the helm during a difficult time for law schools nationwide. Says Richard Freer, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, “In a period of national applicant decline for law schools, Robert has overseen an increase in our student quality metrics without contraction in class size. We created new programs, including the Accelerated JD and Master of Comparative Law (MCL), while overseeing growth in the LLM program, and we stand ready to launch new online programs. Overall, we have reacted nimbly to a changing landscape. We are grateful for Robert’s leadership, good humor, and his equanimity.”

Growth through change

People often ask me about the biggest surprises in serving as dean. The past few years have witnessed great change in the legal profession, in legal education, and at Emory. But that was no surprise. When I moved into the dean’s office in 2011, the signs of change were everywhere. As I spoke with students, alumni, and employers, it was clear that change was imperative. What was more surprising to me was the enthusiasm and excitement at the prospect of that change.

Facing a rapidly shifting world, students wanted to know how the law school would transform itself, how it would meet their evolving professional, social, and personal needs. Alumni had similar questions. It was great fun to connect with so many graduates, including many of my former students. They would share recollections of their times at Emory, recounting tales of notable faculty - Bill Agnor, Bill Ferguson, Don Fyr, Lucy McGough, and many more. They would ask how the law school experience differed now. What were the new programs? Who were the new faculty? They encouraged and celebrated our efforts to renew ourselves and especially to diversify ourselves. It was also our alumni who enabled this renewal, by generously supporting innovations such as the John Lewis Chair in Civil Rights and Social Justice, the William and Jane Carney Chair of Transactional Law and Practice, the Volunteer Clinic for Veterans, pioneering career programming, and greatly enhanced financial aid. In keeping with the changing times, the faculty energetically established innovative projects and pursued path-breaking research in new fields.

The centennial celebration helped me to see that Emory Law has been a leader of change since its founding. When it comes to engaging with vital current issues from immigration to free speech, the law school continues to lead.

Transforming the lives of our students has also been central to our mission. There is no more rewarding experience than getting to know students who have overcome many hurdles to earn admission to Emory Law, perhaps as the first members of their family to attend college. They will graduate with the ability to change the lives of many. Witnessing this transformation has been one of the greatest pleasures and highest honors of being dean.

Transforming ourselves so as to continue to advance our mission has been the story of the past six years, and of the 94 years before that. We constantly change and adapt to be true to our history, to continue to maximize our relevance and impact. I step away from the deanship and back into the faculty pleased about where the school is. However, I will not be surprised when it is soon quite different. That will be a sign of our continuing success.

Robert A. Schapiro

Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law

Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law

“Robert has brought to the role of dean a passion for excellence and a genuine caring for Emory’s students, staff, and faculty that is indeed worthy of emulation. He gives generously of his time, intellect, and energy to help others, and he has done that for me on multiple critical occasions. Robert has always pursued and encouraged excellence in faculty scholarship, and his instincts and advice have proven invaluable to me in my writing and teaching over the years.”

Partner at Diamond McCarthy and former chairman of the Emory Law Advisory Board

“From the standpoint of an alumnus, Dean Schapiro galvanized the alumni base in a manner I have never previously witnessed. He fostered an environment where more alumni than ever became re-engaged, energized, involved, and committed to the law school’s success and reputation, including broader and deeper alumni financial contributions. In short, Dean Schapiro set a new course for the law school and its alumni. The energy, excitement, and hope for a spectacularly bright future for the law school was infectious, if not ubiquitous, among a broad alumni base under Dean Schapiro’s leadership.”

Interim Associate Dean, Development and Alumni Relations, January 2016 – April 2017

Associate Vice President, Academic Development, Emory University

“Dean Schapiro’s pace and volume of activity for engaging alumni and friends set a new standard for the school, and that success will serve as a platform for advancing the school’s priorities for years to come. The capstone of this part of his legacy was the amazing year-long Centennial Celebration that he and the alumni leaders produced. It was an honor for me to serve as a member of his leadership team, filling in for our beloved and esteemed colleague, the late Joella Hricik.”

Partner at Condon Forsyth and immediate past president of the Emory Law Alumni Association

“Dean Schapiro has served as an excellent leader as the law school has expanded programs offered to students and broadened its appeal as a destination law school for international students. He has also championed Emory’s commitment to diversity, both reflecting the diversity of Atlanta and further ensuring the diversity of the student body. His constant work and dedication has strengthened the law school’s foundation, which will allow for future growth and success.”

Former advisory board member and first graduate of Emory’s JD/MBA program

“Robert increased fundraising dramatically and introduced the new JM program and expanded others. He more actively courted alumni to engage them, and the law school became more visible nationally. All of this effort was reflected in Emory Law’s improved rankings. Without Robert’s enthusiastic, insightful leadership, none of this would have happened. He will be sorely missed.”

“Dean Schapiro’s leadership was as intelligently and skillfully formed as his scholarship and teaching. He oversaw expansion and development of alumni relationships and communities all over the country with the same kind of effectiveness he brought to his close knowledge of the Atlanta legal community. Dean Schapiro is a gracious, inspiring, and effective leader whose strength in that role will be missed.”

Under Schapiro's Leadership

As dean, Robert Schapiro worked with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the university to lead the formulation and implementation of a new strategic plan to guide the school through significant changes in legal education. Results included:

Expanded experiential education opportunities for students

• doubling externship opportunities both in and outside of Atlanta, and
• securing a $1 million gift to support the Center for Transactional Law and Practice from Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law Emeritus William Carney and his wife, Jane. 

Enhanced focus on public interest

• launched Volunteer Clinic for Veterans, and
• created position of assistant dean for public service. 

Expanded global reach of the law school

• especially through the expansion of graduate education, including the launch of the Juris Master program, and
• increased international student recruiting. 

Enhanced affordability and diversity of an Emory Law education

• decreasing student debt by expanded scholarship giving, and
• enhanced diversity of the student body—39% of domestic students are from underrepresented minority groups in 2016, compared to 31% in 2011. 

Completed the $2 million in fundraising to fully endow the John Lewis Chair in Civil Rights and Social Justice, allowing the school to conduct a national search for a scholar with an established academic profile of distinction and a demonstrated desire to promote the rule of law through the study of civil rights.

Hired 12 faculty members since 2011, during a time when hiring has stalled at many institutions, increasing the diversity of the faculty and the school’s expertise in intellectual property, business law, legal history, civil rights, and legal writing.

Expanded nationwide outreach to alumni, reshaped the advisory board, and increased annual fundraising by nearly $2 million per year

• closed four gifts of $1 million or more, including the largest gift in Emory Law’s history, and
• achieved goal of $1 million in annual unrestricted giving. 

Highest US News ranking in the history of the law school: March 2014 and 2015, #19.

The historic celebration of Emory Law’s centennial:

• two visits by former US presidents in one month
• four regional alumni events
• 20 class reunion celebrations in Atlanta
• 1,200 attendees at the Centennial Gala