Local law school administrator sets the bar high

Dennis Shields, dean of the Phoenix School of Law and an Ahwatukee Foothills resident, has been involved in legal education since his days as a law student at the University of Iowa.

The 53-year-old husband and father of three came from a humble upbringing, moving between orphanages and foster parents' care through his high school years.

"Growing up, I lived in an orphanage until the age of 5," Shields said. "I had three sets of parents up until I was in high school."

During his time in law school, Shields worked part time in the law school administration office, where he met mentor and friend Gregory H. Williams, who was dean of the university's College of Law at the time.

Williams encouraged Shields to pursue a career in legal education and administration.

"I had a mentor while at Iowa, Gregory Williams, who suggested I become a dean," said Shields, who was appointed chairman of the board of the Greater Phoenix Urban League in May, and serves as an educator to his faculty and staff as well.

"I have learned a lot from Dennis," said Jodi Weisberg, communications manager for the Phoenix School of Law. "One thing Dennis always says is that you can be successful if you continue to show up and keep paying attention.

"Dennis has had an untraditional career path as dean of a law school, since he has only been involved in law school administration and hasn't practiced law," Weisberg added. "But I think it is a plus."

Shields encourages people to "show up everyday." In his words, this means being engaged in the moment.

"It is important to come, be prepared, and be willing to do whatever it will take to be successful. That is what I mean when I say show up everyday," he said.

As a leader, Shields makes the effort to involve students, faculty and staff in the decision-making process by holding town hall meetings and serving as a communicator between the InfiLaw Corporation that owns the Phoenix School of Law, the only private law school in the state of Arizona, and its many parts.

"Dennis makes the effort to be a buffer to the faculty and staff when he relays information from corporate," said Victoria Salzmann, a Phoenix School of Law associate professor. "He is a good intermediary."

Before assuming his role as dean, Shields served in senior administrative positions at the University of Iowa College of Law, the University of Michigan Law School and Duke University School of Law.

He also contributed to the subject of diversity in legal education. While at the University of Michigan, Shields was a part of the drafting process for the law school's admissions policy and the Grutter v. Bollinger Supreme Court case, which held that both the policy and the methods of the university's implementation were constitutional.

"Reflecting back on the lawsuit, I would say there is no clear-cut line in what happened," Shields said. "The lawsuit was a great opportunity to explain our decision process."

Taking on the role of dean at the Phoenix School of Law was an "exciting challenge" to Shields since the facility was brand new when he came on board.

"I can't say that if I had taken a different path I'd be less happy, but I am happy, challenged and pleased with where I am today," Shields said.

He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Stephanie Riel is interning this summer at the AFN. She is a senior at Arizona State University.