Martin Brinkley to step down as law school dean

Dear Carolina Community,

I am writing to share that Martin Brinkley has decided to step down as dean of the UNC School of Law during the next year and will remain a member of the faculty. Over Martin’s decade-long tenure, the school has experienced exceptional growth and success thanks to his strategic vision and leadership.

Notably, the school’s U.S. News & World Report ranking has risen 27 spots, from 45 to 18, placing it among the nation’s top four publicly-supported law schools. In addition, an impressive 99.5% of graduates are employed and 97% pass the bar examination.

Under his leadership, UNC Law completed a $78 million capital campaign, more than double the achievement of any previous campaign. Median student scholarships tripled in size while tuition remained the lowest of the nation’s Top 10 ranked law schools.

Martin has also overseen significant growth in the school, hiring half of the current faculty. He expanded the curriculum by adding courses in corporate and transactional law, increased the number of law clinics and created the UNC Law Institute of Innovation to house clinics in startup business, intellectual property and nonprofit organizations. He also founded a Military and Veterans Law Clinic to serve low-income former service members.

A proud Carolina alumnus, Martin earned his Juris Doctorate in 1992 and has taught courses in property, corporate law and legal history while serving as dean. He was named a William Rand Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor in 2021.

Martin will depart the deanship upon the appointment of his successor or at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. In the meantime, I am grateful that his contributions will continue to advance the school. Please join me in thanking Martin for his valued leadership and service to UNC Law.

J. Christopher Clemens
Provost
Jaroslav Folda Distinguished Professor