Emory Law School Dean Resigns

UPDATE: Partlett will officially leave his position June 30, an Emory University spokesperson told Patch via e-mail Tuesday, May 3. Plans for the appointment of a new dean will be announced before Parlett returns to the faculty. 

The Dean of the School of Law resigned last week, according to multiple reports.

Dean David Partlett, who took over as dean in July 2006, sent an e-mail to students last week to announce his resignation.

"After five years at the helm of Emory Law, I have decided to step down as Dean to return to the faculty to teach," he wrote. 

He will continue to teach Torts in the fall semester and will take on additional classes in the spring. No further information about the transition was detailed in the e-mail.

Before coming to Emory, Partlett served as vice president, dean and professor of law at Washington and Lee University School of Law for six years.

U.S. News and World Report law school rankings dropped Emory School of Law from number 22 to number 30 this year, and some bloggers have speculated that Partlett's resignation stems from the fall in rankings.

Here's a copy of Partlett's e-mail to Emory law students:

Dear Students:

After five years at the helm of Emory Law, I have decided to step down as Dean to return to the faculty to teach. Emory Law is a strong and vibrant community because of our outstanding students, many of whom I have had the pleasure of teaching over the years. I have enjoyed greatly my time as your dean and the many relationships I have forged with you. I will continue to teach Torts to our incoming students and look forward to teaching additional courses in the spring.

As we transition to new leadership, I, along with the faculty, remain steadfastly committed to ensuring you have an outstanding educational experience here that prepares you to enter the practice of law and make an immediate impact. You will receive additional communications from the Provost’s Office as plans for the transition in leadership are finalized.

Again, I thank you for your support during my time as Dean of Emory Law, and I look forward to seeing many of you in the classroom next year. I am confident Emory Law will continue to advance and thrive in the future.

Sincerely,

Dean Partlett

The office of media relations at Emory University was contacted for comment and will provide additional information when it becomes available.