Lawrence Foster, dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law, has announced he will step down as dean next year to focus on comparative law issues in the Asia-Pacific region. UH law school’s dean leaving
to focus on Asia-Pacific workBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comFoster, 56, could not be reached for comment this morning, but his departure was confirmed by UH officials.
In an e-mail he sent yesterday to University of Hawaii law school faculty and students, Foster said the decision was not easy but the timing seemed good.
"First and foremost, the school is doing well and our future has never looked brighter," Foster wrote.
The law school opened in 1973 and has more than 1,500 alumni. With 18 permanent faculty and a steady population of approximately 245 students, it one of the smallest American Bar Association-accredited law schools.
Last month was Foster's 15th year as a full-time law school administrator. He served as associate dean for eight years and the past seven years as dean.
UH President Evan Dobelle said Foster has done an excellent job of leading the law school through some difficult times and appreciates that he will continue to serve as dean until a successor is chosen.
"I know that he will continue to be a valuable resource for the school and the university as a member of the faculty," Dobelle said.
Foster said he expects the earliest a new dean could take over would be January 2003, with August 2003 a more likely date.
Foster, who has a doctorate in Chinese studies, earned his law degree at the University of Washington in 1974 and came to the law school in 1987. Before that, he taught Chinese language at UH, Western Washington State University and at the University of Washington.
In January 1995, Foster replaced then-dean Jeremy Harrison, who had complained of political pressure from state legislators to admit their friends and relatives to the school.
The law school in 1998 moved into the top tier rankings of law schools nationwide, putting it in the top 50 of the 183 ABA-accredited law schools. Among its strengths were a high percentage of graduates passing the bar exam and securing good jobs.
William S. Richardson School of Law
