Case Western Reserve University begins search for law school dean

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Case Western Reserve University is seeking a permanent dean, or co-deans, of its law school.

(Case Western Reserve University)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Case Western Reserve University this month began a search for a new law school dean, more than a year and a half after embattled Dean Lawrence Mitchell resigned.

The search, by an 11-member committee, is limited to internal candidates, and the president and provost have indicated they are willing to consider a "co-dean model," the university said in a statement.

The law school is currently led by faculty members Jessica Berg and Michael Scharf, who were appointed as acting co-deans in November 2013.

CWRU said in July 2014 it was searching for a new dean but announced a month later that Berg and Scharf were interim co-deans and would lead the law school through at least the academic year.

Mitchell resigned as dean in March 2014, five months after a lawsuit was filed against CWRU and Mitchell by law professor Raymond Ku. Ku alleged he suffered retaliation after reporting that Mitchell might have sexually harassed women.

Mitchell was placed on paid leave in November 2013. After his resignation as dean, Mitchell took a year's sabbatical and moved to New York City. He is working as a consultant and writes poetry and observations on his blog, lawrencemitchell.net.

Mitchell was to return to CWRU this fall as a faculty member. He is still listed as a faculty member.  Asked if he is returning, a university spokesman said the school does not comment on personnel matters. Mitchell did not respond to emails.

In July 2014, the university bought Mitchell's house for $575,000, the same price Mitchell paid for it in June 2011, when he was hired as dean. The school closed the deal a week before an announcement was made that a settlement was reached in the lawsuit filed by Ku.

The university said it is renting the six bedroom, four-bath Tudor on Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights.

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