A new essay by Katie Crowley, Associate Dean for Administration and Chief of Staff at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, and Kellye Y. Testy, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of American Law Schools, has been published in AALS LENS, the Association of American Law Schools’ legal education news source.

The piece takes a candid look at what the Chief of Staff role requires in today’s law schools. It highlights the need for steady judgment, institutional memory, and the ability to connect strategy to day-to-day execution across departments. Drawing on their experience in legal education, Crowley and Testy discuss how Chiefs of Staff can help deans keep priorities aligned, advance complex initiatives, respond thoughtfully in moments of challenge, and maintain continuity during leadership transitions.

They also offer practical guidance for schools seeking to define, structure, and support the role in ways that strengthen long-term institutional health.

Read the full article here.