SU’s new College of Law dean starts work in early August

SYRACUSE — Syracuse University (SU) says Terence Lau graduated from its College of Law in 1998, and more than a quarter century later, will serve as the school’s 13th dean. The executive committee of the SU board of trustees approved the appointment, which begins Aug. 5, the school said in a June 5 announcement. “We are excited to welcome Terence Lau back to Syracuse University,” Gretchen Ritter, vice chancellor, provost, and chief academic officer at Syracuse University, said in the announcement. “His distinguished record and depth of experience as a lawyer and a higher education leader make him an outstanding choice to be the next dean to lead the College of Law.” Lau succeeds Craig Boise, who concludes his tenure as dean in June after eight years in the position. Under his leadership, the College of Law has launched new programs, established professional partnerships, and generated “growth in research,” per the Syracuse University announcement. “Craig has been a transformative leader for the College of Law, creating a strong foundation on which future success will be built. I thank him for his service to the college and the University,” Ritter noted. Lau brings significant legal and higher-education experience to the position, SU said. He comes to Syracuse from California State University, Chico, where he is a professor of management. Lau has held numerous leadership positions at the university, including as dean of the College of Business (2018-2023), where he oversaw nearly 70 faculty and 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In that role, Lau shepherded the launch of new online M.B.A. and B.S.B.A. programs, managed successful reaccreditation and led fundraising for a new building. Lau also served as interim dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management (January 2023-July 2023) and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs (July 2023-February 2024). Lau previously served as the associate dean for undergraduate programs and a professor of business law at the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration. “I’m thrilled to be returning to Syracuse where I received a legal education that transformed my professional life,” Lau said in the Syracuse University announcement. “Syracuse Law launched me to a level of success I didn’t even dream was possible. The college’s unique programs, including the hands-on clinics and first-in-the-nation JDi program, as well as top-ranked trial-advocacy programs, are already distinctive and impactful programs. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, alumni and benefactors, and members of the legal community, to advance the college’s reputation and provide our students with an exceptional legal education.” Prior to his time in higher education, Lau held leadership roles in government affairs and law.  From 2000-2002, Lau served as director of ASEAN Governmental Affairs for Ford Asia Pacific Operations in Bangkok, Thailand where he represented Ford’s government affairs with company affiliates, industry organizations, and the governments of 10 countries affiliated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.  Prior to that, he was an attorney in the International Practice Group for the Ford Motor Company. Lau also served as a judicial fellow at the U.S. Supreme Court, working for the counselor to the chief justice of the United States, from 2006-2007, SU said. Lau has published numerous articles on the legal environment of business and is a former editor-in-chief of the American Business Law Journal. He is co-author of “The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business”, published by Flat World Knowledge and now in its fifth edition. The dean search committee, convened by Ritter in December, was co-chaired by Todd Berger, professor of law and director of advocacy programs, and Nina Kohn, a professor of law. “I greatly appreciate the hard work that Nina, Todd and the committee members put into recruiting such a talented leader for the College of Law,” Ritter said.