ABQJOURNAL OPINION/GUEST_COLUMNS: Dean Transformed UNM Law School Into Success

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Dean Transformed UNM Law School Into Success

By Kevin Washburn
Dean, UNM School of Law
          As part of the celebration of the law school's 60 years, the UNM School of Law recognizes one of the key figures in that history: Dean Emeritus Frederick M. Hart. Hart, who recently turned 81 years old and yet continues to teach, is the most important figure in the history of the state's only law school. Though he was not its first dean, Hart's extraordinary vision transformed the school into what it is today. As a result, perhaps no other person has had a greater impact on the legal community in New Mexico.
        One of Hart's first jobs when he began as dean in 1971 was to supervise the move into the new Bratton Hall. The building was designed by now-internationally-renowned architect Antoine Predock to help foster a sense of community. But Hart was the architect of the diverse and thriving community that continues to occupy the space today.
        Before Hart arrived, the UNM School of Law had an "open admission" policy that, as one wag explained, "accepted anyone who had a 4.00
        GPA or a perfect LSAT score or paid the $50 application fee." The School of Law's former dean would greet students on the first day by saying, "look to your left; look to your right; only one of you will be here next year." The professors would then proceed to fail most of the students. This open-admission, high-attrition model was common in law schools but seems unconscionable today.
        How did Hart accomplish the transformation? When he became dean, Hart eliminated the high-attrition approach. Hart's philosophy was that the school should be highly selective on admission, but that once a student was accepted, the faculty's goal should be student success. Today, the UNM School of Law is one of the most selective in the country, routinely admitting fewer than 25 percent of applicants — mostly New Mexicans.
        Hart also rejected the idea that the JD degree could be earned only after three years of abuse. Hart and his colleagues proved that a legal education could be rigorous without being abusive, but they never compromised on quality. UNM has one of the most reliably high bar passage rates in the country. Under Hart, the school became a place where people from diverse backgrounds engaged with the law enthusiastically and earned to enjoy interaction, collaboration, hard work and advocacy.
        When an alum says, "I enjoyed law school," which is frequent, it is evidence of Dean Hart's successful vision. Hart's approach improved legal education for generations of law students, many of whom now lead important state institutions such as the Legislature and the Supreme Court. His approach also returned benefits to the school. Many of Hart's former students have taught as adjunct professors, paying forward Hart's generosity.
        Hart's vision transformed this law school in other important ways, too.
        Hart led the school in recruiting Hispanics and women. He hired its first female professor, Anne Bingaman, followed soon by the late Chief Justice Pamela Minzner and the immortal Ruth Kovnat, who still remains a top professor. Hart increased the number of female students threefold in his first year. He also helped create a nationally-leading program to recruit American Indians into law and hired a leading intellectual, Sam Deloria, to run it. Hart's eye for talent was unmatched. He hired the first Hispanic professors, Cruz Reynoso, Leo Romero, Jose Martinez and Richard Gonzalez, each of whom have made significant marks here and beyond. The result is a successful law school that is diverse like New Mexico, a model for the country.
        In four decades of service to the school, Hart has sometimes shared his famous Irish temper, but he also shared his family and his home, which has been a virtual extension of the law school.
        Hart frequently says that others deserve the credit, and that is certainly true. The very definition of a healthy community is one in which many people contribute generously. But Hart's generosity in sharing credit is one of the cornerstones on which he shaped this institution.
        Hart continues to be one of the first professors to arrive at the law school every morning and one of the last to leave. In a year in which the School of Law is celebrating 60 years of graduates, it is appropriate to recognize the accomplishments of the school's most transformative dean.

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