Professor Catherine Ross Dunham has been named Elon University School of Law’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Since arriving at Elon Law in 2006, Dunham has taught courses in Civil Procedure, Appellate Advocacy, Pre-trial Litigation and other courses in the law school’s Trial Practice Program. Dunham also serves on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and teaches in regional and national advocacy programs.
As associate dean, Dunham will support the teaching and professional development of Elon Law’s faculty, develop the academic schedule, serve as steward of the school’s academic policies, and supervise additional departments and programs in the law school.
“As one of the original members of the law faculty, Catherine Dunham has helped to develop Elon’s reputation for engaged learning in the law,” said George R. Johnson Jr., Dean of Elon University School of Law. “She is universally respected and admired among faculty and students. She also is a first-rate teacher and an emerging scholar, who will bring her incredible passion and enthusiasm for teaching and learning to her new role as associate dean.”
Dunham received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Juris Doctor from Campbell University, and Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she compiled and analyzed research exploring social psychology and legal education. In addition to authoring publications in the area of legal education, Dunham’s scholarly publications include works examining aspects of procedural law and gender equality. In 2003, Dunham received the American Bar Association’s E. Smythe Gambrell Award for teaching professionalism.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Dean Johnson and my other colleagues in a stewardship capacity at Elon Law, working together to advance our distinctive program of legal education,” said Dunham.
Prior to joining Elon, Dunham served as director of the Legal Research and Writing Program and assistant professor of law at Campbell University School of Law. She also served as a law clerk to Judge Sidney S. Eagles Jr., at the North Carolina Court of Appeals before practicing law, representing clients in trial and appellate litigation in both North Carolina and federal courts. Most recently, she was instrumental in bringing law faculty from across North Carolina together to engage in professional development discussions and programs meant to improve trial advocacy teaching across the region.