Terence J. Lau L’98 Named Dean of the College of Law

Syracuse University today announced that Terence J. Lau L’98 has been named the 13th dean of Syracuse University’s College of Law. The appointment, which begins Aug. 5, was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

“We are excited to welcome Terence Lau back to Syracuse University,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter. “His distinguished record and depth of experience as a lawyer and a higher education leader make him an outstanding choice to be the next dean to lead the College of Law.”

Lau, a College of Law alumnus, brings extensive legal and higher education experience to the position. He comes to Syracuse from California State University, Chico, where he is a professor of management. He has held numerous leadership positions at the university, including as dean of the College of Business (2018-2023), where he oversaw nearly 70 faculty and 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In that role, Lau shepherded the launch of new online M.B.A. and B.S.B.A. programs, managed successful reaccreditation and led fundraising for a new building. Lau also served as interim dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management (January 2023-July 2023) and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs (July 2023-February 2024).

Previously, Lau was the associate dean for undergraduate programs and a professor of business law at the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Syracuse where I received a legal education that transformed my professional life,” Lau says. “Syracuse Law launched me to a level of success I didn’t even dream was possible. The college’s unique programs, including the hands-on clinics and first-in-the-nation JDi program, as well as top-ranked trial advocacy programs, are already distinctive and impactful programs. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, alumni and benefactors, and members of the legal community, to advance the college’s reputation and provide our students with an exceptional legal education.”

Prior to his time in higher education, Lau held leadership roles in government affairs and law. From 2000 to 2002, he served as director of ASEAN Governmental Affairs for Ford Asia Pacific Operations in Bangkok, where he represented Ford’s government affairs with company affiliates, industry organizations and the governments of 10 countries affiliated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Prior to that, he was an attorney in the International Practice Group for the Ford Motor Company. Lau served as a Judicial Fellow at the U.S. Supreme Court, working for the counselor to the chief justice of the United States, from 2006 to 2007.

Lau has published numerous articles on the legal environment of business and is a former editor-in-chief of the American Business Law Journal. He is co-author of “The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business,” published by Flat World Knowledge and now in its fifth edition.

The dean search committee, convened by Ritter in December, was co-chaired by Todd Berger, professor of law and director of advocacy programs, and Nina Kohn, David M. Levy L’48 Professor of Law.

“I greatly appreciate the hard work that Nina, Todd and the committee members put into recruiting such a talented leader for the College of Law,” Provost Ritter says.

Lau s쳮ds Craig Boise, who concludes his tenure as dean this month after eight years in the position. Under his leadership, the College of Law has seen the launch of innovative new programs, the establishment of professional partnerships and a growth in research.

“Craig has been a transformative leader for the College of Law, creating a strong foundation on which future success will be built. I thank him for his service to the college and the University,” Provost Ritter says.