The Southern University System Board of Supervisors today has named Alvin R. Washington as the chancellor of Southern University Law Center.
“As I step into this role of leading the Southern University Law Center, my primary focus will be on collaborating with our faculty, staff, and students to improve our first-time and ultimate bar passage rates,” said Washington. “This goal is crucial for our institution's success, as it directly impacts the future careers of our students and further advances our mission of providing legal educational opportunities to the underserved and producing lawyer leaders.”
The Board’s approval comes at the recommendation of Southern University System President Dennis J. Shields, who appointed a search committee composed of Southern alumni, students, faculty and staff, and community leaders. The committee received applications from a national search firm.
“Attorney Washington has a sterling record as an outstanding lawyer and has provided extraordinary leadership as the interim chancellor,” from Dennis J. Shields, president of the Southern University System. “I will enjoy working with him as the new chancellor of the Law Center.”
Washington is the managing professor for the Law Center’s Mediation Clinic. He also serves as a faculty member, teaching courses such as legal research, statutory analysis, alternate dispute resolution, and legal negotiations. Throughout his career, Washington has held community-focused roles, demonstrating expertise in insurance and civil rights.
“I believe the Law Center will be in a great place with Mr. Washington,” said Tony Clayton, chairman of the Southern University System Board of Supervisors. “I think he knows how to intertwine the administrative part of running a law school with the best interest of the students.”
Washington received his B.S. degree from Grambling State University in 1983 and his J.D. from Southern University Law Center in 1987. While stationed in Long Beach, California, he served as a military trial lawyer and department head for the claims division in the United States Navy. He was also appointed as a special assistant to the United States Attorney General for the Central District of California.
After completing his tour of duty, Washington returned to Louisiana, where he worked as an assistant attorney general handling general liability, road hazards, and civil rights cases. Before joining the Law Center’s staff in 2003, he served as the section chief of the Civil Rights Division of the Louisiana Department of Justice for four years.
He has been involved in several community organizations, including 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Branch NAACP, Baton Rouge Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, Habitat for Humanity, and the South Louisiana Charter Foundation.
Washington will begin his term as chancellor of Southern University Law Center once a contract is approved by the Southern University Board of Supervisors. His official start date is forthcoming.
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