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Stanford University Law School announced the hiring of Mary Elizabeth Magill as its new dean Tuesday, July 24. Magill switches coasts with her new position, leaving the University of Virginia School of Law, where she served as the vice dean.

"Everyone who knows Liz Magill is impressed by her creative and insightful approach to problems and her skill at engaging a community in their solution," Provost John Etchemendy stated in a press release. "At a time when law schools must adapt to fundamental changes in the legal profession, it is hard to imagine finding a more capable dean to lead the school and the legal academy into the future."

Magill succeeds Larry Kramer, who held the position since 2004. Kramer will relinquish his post Aug. 31 to lead the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Magill will begin her tenure Sept. 1.

"Stanford Law School is an extraordinary law school," Magill stated. "It has had a remarkable series of leaders and, as a result, is today the most innovative law school in the country. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as its next dean."

A member of the University of Virginia faculty since 1997, Magill taught administrative law, constitutional law, food and drug law, and seminars in constitutional structure and administrative law.

The University of Virginia School of Law hired Magill as vice dean in 2009. Since then, she has overseen the school's curriculum and has been responsible for recruiting faculty. Before signing on as faculty at Virginia, Magill clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

"Liz will bring impeccable judgment, grace and level-headedness to the deanship. Her style is inclusive and collegial, but decisive," stated Paul Mahoney, dean of the University of Virginia School of Law.

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