Ohio State appoints new Moritz College of Law dean

Ohio State appoints new Moritz College of Law dean

Kent Barnett named to position

The Ohio State Universityhas selected Kent Barnett as its next dean of the Moritz College of Law, effective Aug. 15. Barnett currently serves as associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Law, the state's flagship public land-grant institution, where he is also the J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law.

In his new role, Barnett will be responsible for advancing the college's reputation as a top-tier law school, furthering its student-focused philosophy and innovative scholarship, and setting strategic priorities to prepare graduates to address emerging opportunities and challenges in a quickly changing world.

"In addition to his administrative and scholarly experience, Kent brings a deep, strategic focus on reducing student debt and fostering access and affordability for law students from all backgrounds," said Karla Zadnik, interim executive vice president and provost.

As associate dean at UGA, Barnett oversees the highly ranked School of Law's academic programs and student affairs. An ardent supporter of accessible and affordable public education, Barnett also manages the school's new-student orientation and teaches in the pre-orientation academic success program designed to introduce all students, regardless of background, to law school pedagogy and professional norms. Prior to joining UGA in 2012, Barnett was a visiting assistant professor of law at the University of Kentucky.

"The Moritz College of Law has an established track record of serving the state and nation through its experiential programs, excellent preparation of lawyers and its ability to improve social mobility for Ohio citizens," said Barnett. "I look forward to building on this legacy."

As a legal scholar, Kent coauthored the textbook Administrative Law, Fifth Edition, and has appeared in numerous academic publications, including the Michigan, New York University, Duke, and Vanderbilt law reviews. Moreover, he has been cited by numerous federal courts and national media outlets, including Bloomberg Law, The New York Times, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal. He has taught courses on administrative and consumer law, contracts and sales, and judges and politics, and he has been recognized for his commitment to teaching excellence by receiving the UGA School of Law's highest teaching honor.

A Kentucky native, Barnett earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in art history from Centre College, both summa cum laude. Prior to joining the UGA School of Law faculty in 2012, Kent was a lawyer at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Heygood, Orr & Pearson. He also served as a law clerk for Judge John M. Rogers of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Founded in 1891 and consistently the top-ranked law school in Ohio, the Moritz College of Law is known for its rigorous academic programs, devotion to student success, the pioneering research of its world-class faculty and deep commitment to teaching, professional training and the development of future leaders.

The college's more than 11,000 graduates include federal judges, U.S. senators and representatives, governors, attorneys general, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, law professors, members of all levels of the state court system and prominent attorneys in various legal fields.

"Moritz is a jewel in Ohio State's crown because of the university's longstanding support and the community's deep engagement," said Barnett. "Its dedicated students, alumni, faculty, staff and university administration have a shared vision of a world-class public law school - one whose graduates have limitless opportunities."

"I am grateful to the members of the search advisory committee, chaired by Trevor Brown, dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, for their counsel and dedication to finding our next dean," said Zadnik. "I also extend my deep appreciation to L. Camille Hébert, the Robert J. Lynn Chair in Law, for her service as acting dean of Moritz College of Law."

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