American University Washington College of Law is welcoming a new dean, according to an email sent by Vicky Wilkins, provost and chief academic officer, on Monday.
Michael Barry, the former president and dean of South Texas College of Law Houston, will step into the role on July 1.
“This is an exciting moment for Dean Barry to join American University Washington College of Law, as the school continues to build on its momentum and national reputation for excellence in legal education,” Wilkins said in the email.
The U.S. News and World Report rankings slate WCL in the top 10 law schools among four categories. This includes clinical training, international law, intellectual property and part-time law.
Barry is replacing Heather Hughes, who has been the interim dean since 2024 when former Dean Roger Fairfax departed.
Before working in South Texas, Barry served as the assistant dean and was a practitioner-in-residence at St. Mary’s University School of Law from 2015 to 2019. Barry has a background in the legal industry as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He received his undergraduate degree in English and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and his law degree from Yale Law School.
Barry has also held several leadership positions in the legal education field, including as a fellow to the American Bar Foundation, the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Foundation.
This article was edited by Isabella Polak, Payton Anderson and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman.
