Jim Gibson

Jim Gibson is the School of Law's new Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Dean Gibson has taught at Richmond Law since 2002, when he joined the faculty as a visiting assistant professor. He mostly teaches and writes in intellectual property and law and technology, but his research has included contracts, torts, and the death penalty as well. He is also founder and former director of the school's Intellectual Property Institute.

As associate dean, Gibson is involved in a number of areas, including managing the law school curriculum, counseling students, and administrative matters. He said one of his goals is to make sure that the law school's policies are transparent and easy for faculty and students to find. Gibson also works with the other associate deans and Dean Wendy Perdue on the strategic direction for the law school.

Dean Gibson expressed his appreciation for his predecessor, Professor Clark Williams, who served in the position for nineteen years. "I'm in his shoes, but I'm not even at the beginning of filling them—it would probably take more than nineteen years to get to that point, given what Clark did in the position," he said.

"One of the great things about the job is how well everything was being run before I appeared on the scene, and orientation is a good example of that." Gibson coordinated the faculty's participation in this year's 1L Orientation. "We have a wonderful faculty that really wants to make the right first impression on our students and let them know how open and collegial a place we have. Orientation is a place for students to get excited about the intellectual project that is law school," he said. "Between our really warm and welcoming Admissions staff and our engaged faculty, I think it was a real success again this year."

In addition to his role as associate dean, Gibson also currently teaches Intellectual Property Fundamentals and Copyright Law. He explained, "It's important for me to get to know students and maintain relationships with them, which is harder to do when I'm not in the classroom as much. So seeing students come through my door to talk with me as a dean, not just as a professor, has been a positive part of the experience." Dean Gibson said he spends time helping students with their class schedules, their career paths, and matching up the law school's offerings with their interests.

Dean Gibson said serving as academic dean is a great balance of trying to help the faculty and administration move the school forward, while remembering that our first and foremost role is as teachers who serve the student body.