The American University Washington College of Law named Heather Hughes the new interim dean of the law school Tuesday.
Hughes is currently the senior associate dean for academic and faculty affairs in WCL. She will start on July 1, following the step down of Dean Roger A. Fairfax, who served from 2021 to 2024.
“Dean Hughes has been a splendid partner in her service as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, and I wish her all the best as she leads WCL in the coming year,” Fairfax wrote in a press release.
Hughes joined the WCL in 2007 and taught commercial, business and property law. She earned several recognitions such as the WCL Award of Excellence in Teacher in 2019, the Edwin A. Mooers Scholar Award in 2017 and the Emalee C. Godsey Scholar Award in 2010.
Before joining the WCL faculty, Hughes was also involved in the business department at Morrison & Foerster, LLP, in San Francisco, and became a founding faculty member and assistant professor at the Florida International University College of Law.
She also serves on The Washington Ballet’s Board of Directors to assist with fundraising, oversight and outreach.
Hughes’ current research involves how emerging technologies impact law and the legal profession.
This article was edited by Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks and Ella Rousseau.
