The first 100 days: Dean Hamoudi makes his mark

The first 100 days on a new job unfold like the opening chapter of an exciting story, offering the author a chance to pull you in and set the stage for an incredible journey. In the case of Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi, his first 100 days at Cincinnati Law have been truly impactful. Working closely with faculty and staff, he has spent considerable time reimagining the future of the College of Law. Simultaneously, he’s also made key connections with alumni, government, and political officials who support the college's work and has opened doors for new initiatives, programs, and services. To sense the impact of his first 100 days, here’s a snapshot of what the College of Law has accomplished under Dean Hamoudi’s leadership thus far:

• Onboarded four new faculty members, legal scholars with expertise in areas ranging from juvenile justice and advocacy to dispute resolution, adding to the rich tapestry of the law school.  
• Appointed Dr. Jenn Dye to the new position of assistant dean of inclusive excellence and belonging, strengthening our efforts in the DEIB space, and acknowledging its growing importance.
• Reinstituted the Staff Advisory Council as a tool to address the needs of staff and bring ideas to the forefront at the college.  

• Established five strategic priorities to guide the College’s trajectory. These priorities are enhancing student success, advancing experiential learning, fortifying the College’s centers of excellence, expanding international programming, and reinforcing our commitment to non-JD offerings in the online space.
• Signed partnership agreements with several international institutions, helping to grow and expand Cincinnati Law’s successful LLM program. Partnerships were signed with the following:
  • Universidad Pontificia Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia
  • Università di Trento in Trento, Italy
  • Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao, Spain
• Initiated discussions with the faculty on curricular changes that will best prepare our students for the bar and for the practice of law in current times, and created an ad hoc committee to propose recommendations along these lines.
  
• Welcomed first-year law students as they embarked on their legal journey and hosted six student “Drop ins with the Dean”.
• Networked with deans from Ohio’s law schools, strategizing about ways to partner in our efforts to support the next generation of law students and the changing legal education environment.

• Met with several of Ohio’s political and government leaders: Governor Mike DeWine, Senator Rob Portman, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval ('08), Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy (’91) of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and Justice R. Patrick DeWine of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
• Visited major Cincinnati corporations, including our many supportive corporate partners, such as Procter & Gamble and Medpace, among others.
• Visited the area’s top law firms and met countless Cincinnati Law alumni who are making an impact across the tristate area.
• Hosted board meetings with supporters and friends such as the Law Dean’s Advisory Board, International Law Advisory Council, OIP Board of Advocates 10^th Anniversary, Rosenthal Family Foundation and OIP Impact event, Women in Law, UC Foundation Board, and UC Board of Trustees.
• Attended individual major gift donor meetings, sharing our goals shaped by the future of legal education and priorities for Cincinnati Law.

• Hosted the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for oral arguments at the college.
• Hosted two endowed lectures:
  • The Alfred B. Katz (’35) 2023 Constitution Day Lecture featuring Deborah L. Brake, professor of law and the John E. Murray Faculty Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
  • The 2023 Schwartz Lecturer in Torts featuring Jonathan Cardi, professor of law at Wake Forest University School of Law.
• Hosted symposiums, programs, and other lectures including:
  • SpearIt, professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, for a lecture based on his book, Muslim Prisoner Litigation: An Unsung American Tradition.
  • Cincinnati’s Mayor Aftab Pureval (JD ’08) for a discussion on success with our law students.
  • Access to Justice 2023 symposium, co-hosted with the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, to discuss ways to expand support for pro se litigants.
  • The Association of Corporate Counsel to discuss the professional journeys of corporate legal counsels and strategies to transition from attorney to executive.
  • Justice Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court, as the inaugural speaker for Cincinnati Law’s groundbreaking speaker series “Lawyers Change The World”.
• Served as keynote speaker for the Ohio Bar Swearing-in ceremony.

The many actions and activities listed above are just a highlight of Dean Hamoudi’s first 100 days at the college. It is evident that much has been accomplished and that there’s much to be proud of. Many insights have been gained, which will serve as the groundwork for our next steps. We’re excited about the future and welcome the input of our friends as we journey forward.

We encourage you to engage with us through our various channels. Connect with Cincinnati Law on our social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram,  to stay informed about the college. If you find yourself in the tristate area, feel free to drop by and tour our new building. Alternatively, explore the new building by taking our virtual tour.  

Finally, consider supporting our programs and students through your generous gifts. For more information on how to contribute, please reach out to our Development team. You can contact Carolyn Adam at carolyn.adam@foundation.uc.edu or Mindy Roy at  mindy.roy@foundation.uc.edu to learn more about how you can support the college.