Dean and Professor of Law

It's not easy to run a law school. And it's even harder to run a good law school. But every now and again, someone with the passion, knowledge and fortitude comes along at the right time and gets busy making a great school greater. Fortunately for Saint Louis University School of Law, that person is Jeffrey E. Lewis.

Whether you pass him in the hall or speak with him at a meeting, Dean Lewis is rarely without his signature smile. That's because he is genuinely proud to be a part of Saint Louis University School of Law, a place he says is "a great place to be a law student, a great place to be a law teacher and a great place to be the Dean." It's obvious that Lewis believes his own words because his enthusiasm hasn't waned since he came on board as dean in 1999. His unyielding commitment to the School has been evidenced by his efforts at providing students with the best possible opportunities and experiences. In his quest to enrich the curriculum, Dean Lewis frequently invites prominent members of the legal community to speak to students, and judges are brought in for classroom visits, one-on-one informational interviews and lectures. The opportunity to reach students is not just extended to those outside the School, however. Lewis joins an impressive faculty by teaching courses in Evidence and Remedies.

Considering himself, first and foremost, a professor, Dean Lewis has always felt honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the profession by guiding and instructing the students who will one day be a part of it. And it serves as a great source of comfort to him to know that the faculty and administration at the School of Law successfully partner with him in this endeavor.

"The law school at Saint Louis University has some very distinctive qualities that set it apart, in my view, from the typical American law school," says Lewis. "A strong sense of community binds the faculty and staff together in the common enterprise of producing an excellent legal education for talented students in a supportive environment. Most of us know that the study of law is a challenging endeavor in and of itself. So when a student is learning in an inhospitable environment, that challenge is more difficult and the results are often below proper expectations. When, however, law students have the opportunity to learn in a collaborative and friendly atmosphere, they have a happy experience and better results. That's what we provide here at the School of Law, and that's why I'm so proud to be a part of this community."

And so many of those who attend, who have graduated from and who work for Saint Louis University School of Law are very proud to have Jeffrey Lewis as dean. His commitment to the betterment of this institution coupled with his infectious spirit for the law are, indeed, rare. And if you asked the dean, he would tell you that a lot of things about this institution are rare. "Being set apart, in a good way, from other law schools, is one of the things I most enjoy," he admits.