Jackson To Serve as Acting Dean of Harvard Law School

Howell E. Jackson, the former vice dean for budget at Harvard Law School, will serve as the acting dean of the Law School upon the United States Senate's confirmation of Dean Elena Kagan as U.S. Solicitor General, University President Drew G. Faust announced today.

Kagan, who has led the Law School since 2003, was named as President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for solicitor general last week.

Jackson, a 1982 graduate of HLS, has been a faculty member at the Law School since 1989 and was associate dean for research and research programs from 2001 to 2003. Upon Kagan being named HLS dean in 2003, he took over the role of vice dean for budget. His focus at HLS has been on both domestic and international financial and budget policy.

"Howell Jackson is a first-rate scholar and teacher who has been a core member of the Law School's leadership team in recent years," Faust said in a statement. "Especially at this moment in the life of the Law School and the University, we are fortunate to be able to turn to a prospective acting dean who not only is a distinguished academic, but also has deep experience with the School's administrative and financial matters and a close working knowledge of the ambitious initiatives the School has been pursuing. I'm very grateful to Howell for his readiness to take on this interim role."

"I am honored that President Faust has asked me to be available to serve the Law School and its extraordinary community of faculty, students, and staff during this transitional time," a statement from Jackson read. "Elena Kagan's leadership over the past five years has transformed the Law School, energizing its faculty and inspiring its student body. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to sustain the School's momentum in the months to come."

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