Los Angeles, CA — Southwestern Law School has received an “A” rating for Women in Leadership in preLaw magazine’s "Back to School" issue. The recognition highlights Southwestern’s commitment to advancing women in leadership across legal education, from faculty and administration to students. 

President and Dean Darby Dickerson, featured in the article, shared her journey into legal leadership, which began at Stetson University College of Law, where she became interim dean under challenging circumstances. Dickerson went on to become the first woman dean at Texas Tech Law and UIC Law and is now one of the longest-serving law deans in the country. “Southwestern is a place where leadership is built on collaboration and opportunity,” said Dickerson. “We strive to ensure that diverse populations have the support they need to step into leadership roles and succeed.” 

preLaw based its evaluation on data from the American Bar Association, focusing on schools with strong representation of women in leadership positions. The article notes that women now make up 43% of law school deans nationwide, a vast increase from just 10% in 2000, and recognized Southwestern for its leadership structure and the presence of women in key roles, including vice deans, program directors, and student leaders. The law school established initiatives like the Dean’s Leadership Academy and Parris Academy for Excellence and Leadership to further help diverse students develop the skills necessary to succeed in leadership positions. 

Southwestern’s student population is approximately 59% women. In addition to a woman as President & Dean, Southwestern’s leadership also include women in the roles of Board Chair, Vice Dean (two), Associate Dean (ten), Assistant Dean, Registrar, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. 

preLaw magazine’s "Back to School" issue is available now online. Read about the best law schools for employment, technology, women in leadership, and more here.