Education: La Verne College of Law dean resigns – Press

The dean of the Inland region’s only accredited law school has resigned, effective immediately.

Allen Easley, dean of the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, had led the college since July 2008, focusing recently on regaining the school’s national accreditation.

The university’s executive vice president has been named interim dean.

In June, the American Bar Association said it would not grant the college full accreditation or extend its provisional accreditation, citing low passing rates for students taking the bar exam for the first time. Since then, the college has been accredited by the State Bar of California, also known as Cal Bar.

“The work we have accomplished together will allow a new leader to present a strong case to the ABA,” Easley wrote in an email announcing his resignation. “It is important, however, that the work not stop, that the efforts to improve continue at a rapid pace.” He described his time leading the college as “challenging and rewarding” and efforts to regain national accreditation as an, “arduous journey.”

In a statement, the university said Easley cited “personal reasons” for his resignation.

Phil Hawkey, executive vice president of the University of La Verne, has been named interim dean of the law school. Hawkey, an attorney, is a member of the ABA and has been at the university since 1998. Before joining La Verne, Hawkey was city manager of Pasadena.

“We are confident that he will be a highly effective leader during this pivotal time,” wrote La Verne President Devorah A. Lieberman in an email to students and faculty.