New Jersey Law Journal Q&A with Seton Hall Law Dean Kathleen M. Boozang on Being Named to Top Women in the Law List

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The New Jersey Law Journal has named Seton Hall University School of Law Dean Kathleen M. Boozang to its list of the Top Women in the Law 2018.

 

Kathleen Boozang, dean of Seton Hall University School of Law since 2015 and a member of law school leadership long before that, oversaw an increase in starting J.D. class size from about 150 to about 250—in an era when overall demand for legal education has wavered. Boozang over the years has held positions at Seton Hall Law that have required to tackle a variety of issues. She created the Division of Online Learning and the school’s Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy. One active Seton Hall Law alum said Boozang is “committed to adapting legal education to the evolving needs of and our society,” and is “always exploring new methods to increase access to legal studies and legal representation.” Another called her “a dedicated leader who launched programs and initiatives that have always placed Seton Hall Law ahead of the curve.” Another said she “has accomplished all of this while actively promoting diversity and inclusion within all ranks of the law school community.”

What is your single best piece of advice for handling a crisis.

Don’t make decisions in a vacuum and temper the crisis with the need to take immediate action, if possible. Make sure you have the best facts available, and that you have wise subject matter experts available to advise you. Then make the best possible decision, very often under time pressure.

Name a mentor or someone you admire and why.

Between my colleagues on the faculty and the many law firms with which I interact, I have access to some of the smartest lawyers in the country. What I crave is conversation with strong business leaders. Peter Larson, a member of Seton Hall Law’s Board of Visitors, is my go-to on strategy and business planning; he served in several C-Suite positions at J&J companies during his career and now shares his expertise with non-profits. He gave me the confidence to take informed risks. He taught me how to do strategic planning well and realistically. I learned from Mr. Larson the value of being a good listener, which I have come to conclude is one of the most important traits for success in just about everything.

Best advice you ever got…

To approach my deanship as a ministry. And I found out I am not alone in this regard—it fascinates me how many law school deans talk about the pastoral nature of our jobs.

What has #MeToo movement means to the legal profession?

Early in my career, the response I received upon reporting a horrible incident of sexual harassment was that I could pursue the complaint and end my career, or learn how to take care of myself. I internalized that advice until only recently, when I learned from my students and the #MeToo movement that we need to achieve a workplace where it is not women’s responsibility to accommodate and manage harassers.

 

The original can be found on the New Jersey Law Journal's website.