trumpet the accomplishments of our faculty , students , alumni , and staff . And yes , this team is full of incredible people .”
He lauds outgoing dean , Mary Anne Bobinski , and recognizes her leadership in difficult times . “ She has dealt with the pandemic , a generational turnover on faculty , and yet has been able to hire fabulous new faculty members . She ’ s done a great job ,” said Freer . During his time at Emory , he has worked with ten deans and interim deans , some recruited internally and others externally . “ There are just different times in the life of the law school where maybe you spend energy in different directions ,” he said .
Freer calls for a people-focused approach to mold a strong faculty culture , help students flourish , and engage alumni . He has a reputation for making time and listening — ensuring that every member of the law school — past and present — is recognized , heard , and involved . Relationships are the key to breaking down silos and underlie a holistic set of goals . His priorities are not ranked , but , rather , are being approached with the understanding that positive change in the faculty begets positive change in the students who become even more engaged alumni .
Faculty team-building I will always have their back .
When Freer joined Emory Law , its faculty was in a similar state of turnover with retirements and new hires . “ The law school was on the move , and that ’ s why I chose it over other schools ,” he said . There was an eagerness to build a new culture and to know one another as scholars and people . That feeling is still here , the dean believes , but can be strengthened , particularly with the successful recent hiring of new faculty members .
“ I want us to spend more time with each other . This is how you build a team . We ’ re going to have a more inward focus at the outset . I want us together to talk widely about scholarship , collaboration , pedagogy , and to brainstorm as a group ,” Freer said . “ We have fabulous scholars and teachers on this faculty ; I want us to know each other as people . We are also going to be avid in celebrating scholarship , teaching , and service .”
Longtime colleague John Witte Jr ., Woodruff Professor of Law and faculty director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion , reflects on the new dean ’ s talent for connecting people . “ He is a highly respected member of the law school faculty who gets things done effectively and efficiently . He places a high premium on scholarly excellence , professionalism , communitybuilding , fairness , and faculty service to students , alumni , the bench , the bar , and the business , and health and service professionals of the city and region . And he brings diverse people together in all manner of formal and informal ways ,” said Witte .
Ani B . Satz , professor of law and public health , has worked with Freer for two decades . “ When I first arrived at Emory Law , I had an office without much light ,” said Satz . “ Rich Freer bought me a lamp .” She looks forward to his leadership and underscores the dean ’ s ability to build community . “ Over the last 20 years , I have witnessed Rich ’ s persistent dedication to the faculty community , students , and scholarly excellence . Having taught large classes at Emory and more than 500,000 BARBRI bar candidates nationwide as well as being active in the local bar , Rich is poised to inform and enhance the student experience and to build alumni connections .”
Freer praises the faculty ’ s scholarly impact . “ My colleagues are active and productive ; they have built Emory ’ s reputation as a leading scholarly hub , a reputation we will continue to build .” At the same time , the faculty is dedicated to student success . “ Faculty can disagree on this or that , but when it comes to the quality of education and the student experience , it is ‘ all hands on deck .’”
Student flourishing Flourishing is a long-term investment .
IN THE PROFESSION
Freer is quite clear on this point : “ Student flourishing is not the same as happiness . There are days in law school , as in life generally , when we are not happy .” Flourishing is about digging in , working hard , and being prepared to serve a client . “ Law school is not college . From the first day , it is a professional school . You have chosen a profession , and it is all about service ,” he said .
Flourishing happens in real time , though it is most evident in retrospect . It is about being prepared , supported , and guided . When students look back on their time in law school , they should see exactly how it prepared them for their jobs . “ We ’ re putting together a first-year course that expands orientation to give students the skill set they need to start law school . We set expectations , and we will never expect something of you for which we do not give you the skill set ,” said Freer . His decades in the classroom have shown him what skills students need in law school : how to prepare for class , how to take notes , and how to review for exams . “ It ’ s a different learning experience from college ,” he said . “ You read raw materials , you read case law , statutes , regulations . Photo credit : Daniel Cole / Invision / AP
The classroom is interactive and participatory , and 100 percent of the grade is on the final exam .” He lets the last part land , and , with his trade-mark good humor , laughs . “ Gee , that ’ s a Pepto Bismol moment !”
The law school skill set must take the student beyond exams , of course . In his second year , he plans to do an honest , heavy lift on curriculum — something that has not been done in 15 years . Is the current curriculum
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