Two Women Among the Five Finalists for Dean of the University of Tennessee’s College of Law

The College of Law at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville has announced five finalists for the position of dean. All five candidates will be visiting the law school for interviews and public forums over the coming days. Two of the five candidates are women.

Brenda V. Smith is a professor at the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. She has been on the faculty there since 1999. Previously, Professor Smith was senior counsel for economic security at the National Women’s Law Forum. Professor Smith is a magna cum laude graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she majored in French and political science. She received a juris doctorate at the Georgetown University Law Center.

Melanie Wilson is a professor of law and associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Kansas. She has been on the faculty at University of Kansas School of Law since 2007. Previously, she taught at the John Marshall Law School in Atlanta. Professor Wilson is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she majored in journalism. She earned a juris doctorate at University of Georgia School of Law.