Giving

Dear Members of the Chicago-Kent College of Law Community,

I am thrilled and honored to begin my time as the 13th dean of Chicago-Kent College of Law. Thank you for welcoming me to your community. Please know that I am ready to hit the ground running. 

I plan to leverage the law school’s unique history of entrepreneurship, tradition of training practice-ready lawyers, and singular position as one of the only law schools connected to a leading technology-focused university to lead our graduates and alumni to careers of meaning, purpose, and joy. The law school’s dedication to innovation is evident to me every time I enter the Conviser Law Center (where I, myself, studied for the bar exam more than 20 years ago!), and it is the biggest reason why I am so excited to embark on this new journey with you.

I come to Chicago-Kent from Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, where I served as associate dean of environmental law programs and strategic initiatives, the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, and faculty director of the Sustainable Business Law Hub. By emphasizing innovation and collaboration, we elevated the environmental law program to a #1 national ranking in the country according to U.S. News & World Report—a distinction it has now held for five straight years.

I will be bringing my forward-thinking approach to Chicago-Kent, focusing on key areas such as trial advocacy, intellectual property, labor and employment, and legal writing, while staying true to the school’s tradition of making legal education widely accessible. I look forward to cultivating a vibrant, supportive community where alumni are engaged and proud, students thrive in an environment dedicated to their career success, and faculty and staff are empowered to innovate in teaching, service, and scholarship.

Coming to Chicago-Kent is a bit of a homecoming for me. I earned my B.A. and J.D. from the University of Chicago, and grew up in nearby Milwaukee. Being able to return to Chicago for this role is a dream come true, and I’m honored by the opportunity. My promise to you is that, through enthusiasm, boundless energy, relationship-building, and strategic thinking, I will spend every day earning your support and making this law school the best it can be.

Sincerely,
Jason J. Czarnezki
Dean and Professor of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Illinois Institute of Technology