KATHARINE SCHAFFZIN NAMED INTERIM DEAN

Katharine Traylor Schaffzin has been named the Interim Dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. 

Professor Schaffzin has served as Associate Dean of the Law School for the past year and has been with the University of Memphis since 2009. Interim Dean Schaffzin replaces Peter Letsou, who is returning to a faculty position in the law school. 

"I am humbled to have been appointed Interim Dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law," said Schaffzin. I am excited to lead this institution as it undertakes efforts to meet evolving student needs. Our talented faculty and dedicated staff are poised to address the changing demands of modern legal education. Additionally, I feel privileged to continue engaging the University of Memphis and the Law School with the Memphis legal community."

Interim Dean Schaffzin joined the faculty of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2009 as an assistant professor and has since been tenured and promoted to the rank of full professor. In addition to teaching Civil Procedure, Evidence and Trial Advocacy, she most recently served the Law School as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs during the 2017-2018 academic year and Director of Faculty Development from 2012-2017. Her scholarship has focused on evidentiary privileges, as well as teaching methods best suited for first generation college students. In November 2016, Interim Dean Schaffzin was selected by the Faculty Senate to serve on the University of Memphis Board of Trustees, where she also served as Chair of the Academic, Research and Student Success Committee. 

Before moving to Memphis, Interim Dean Schaffzin taught at the University of North Dakota School of Law and Temple University Beasley School of Law. Her previous legal practice focused on construction litigation at Pepper Hamilton, LLP, in Philadelphia, and Mazur, Carp & Rubin P.C., in New York. She also served as law clerk to the Honorable James Knoll Gardner of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She earned her J.D. and her LLM from Temple University and her B.A. .from LaSalle University.