New dean selected for UK’s law school

By Austin Schmitt

A new dean has been named for the UK College of Law.

David A. Brennen will take over the position on July 1, pending approval from the Board of Trustees. Brennen now serves as deputy director at the Washington, D.C.-based Association of American Law Schools.

Brennen’s legal experience will be beneficial in his new role, said Allan Vestal, former dean of the UK College of Law.“He is a noted legal scholar,” Vestal said. “Experience will help him because he’s been involved at a lot of different law schools.”

Brennen has taught at Florida A&M University, Syracuse University, the University of Richmond, Mercer University and the University of Georgia.

Provost Kumble Subbaswamy said Brennen’s time at the Association of American Law will help him at UK.

”In his role as deputy director of the American Association of Law Schools, he has had the opportunity to observe a broad spectrum of law schools, and I am confident we will benefit from his knowledge of best practices as we continue our quest for greater national recognition,” Subbaswamy said in an e-mail to the Kernel.

By serving in the administration at other law schools, the experience will help him in the dean position at UK, Vestal said.

“I think that kind of background is helpful,” Vestal said. “(Administration work) is not unusual for him.”

In a news release, Brennen said he is excited to be joining UK.

“I am thrilled to be joining the faculty at UK Law and leading the law school as it embarks on a mission to expand an already superb legal education program,” he said.