Published: June 2, 2011

Boulder, Colo. – University of Colorado Law School Dean David Getches announced today that Susani Harris has been named Senior Director for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, effective June 1, 2011.

This new position, housed in the Office of Career Development, is designed to help to further embed the principles of inclusiveness, facilitate pipeline activities, and connect students and alumni with the profession’s efforts to increase diversity.

“I have long been committed to diversity and inclusiveness in the law community and with this new position, I hope to take that commitment to the next level,” said Harris. “Colorado Law and Dean Getches have entrusted me to assist and support our diverse student population and I am delighted to accept that challenge.”

Previously, Harris was the Assistant Dean for Career Development, helping to counsel, assist, and encourage students and alumni in their efforts to focus on and explore their career options, develop useful networking skills, prepare effective cover letters and resumes, and develop successful interviewing techniques.

She was legal counsel for a settlement consulting firm in Houston, Texas, from 2003 to 2007. Prior to that, Harris was an attorney at Holland & Hart for 20 years, practicing Oil & Gas and Mining Law and was Of Counsel, Director of Attorney Recruitment and Professional Development, and Director of Diversity and Professional Development (one of the first such positions among law firms in the nation).

While at Holland & Hart, she was responsible for the recruitment, hiring, counseling, development, and retention of attorneys, and for guiding and assisting the firm in carrying out its commitment to recruit, hire, retain and promote, a diverse attorney workforce. She also provided diversity consulting to numerous clients, other law firms, and corporations. Harris was the primary drafter of the original Colorado Pledge to Diversity, which was signed by 23 Denver law firms. She also served twice as co-chair of the Steering Committee for the original Colorado Pledge to Diversity Law Firm Group. 

This new position at Colorado Law is part of Colorado Law’s continuing efforts to place its students. Colorado Law recently hired a national career expert, Whiting Dimock Leary, to serve as Senior Assistant Dean for Students and coordinate student affairs, including the Career Development Office.

“We continue to broaden the career development office efforts and will look to expand our staff,” said Leary. “We are taking steps to enhance our local and national outreach efforts and helping to place our students in a broad range of careers that truly reflect the enhanced analytical skills with which they graduate.”

“We will continue to be proactive in our approach of matching students with prospective employers.”

A search is underway for a new Assistant Dean for Career Development. Interested candidates can apply through www.jobsatcu.com (posting #813069), or contact Whiting.Leary@colorado.edu with questions.  

About University of Colorado Law School

Established in 1892, the University of Colorado Law School (www.colorado.edu/law) is a top 25 public law school located at the base of the inspiring Rocky Mountains. Colorado Law’s 500 students, selected from among the statistically best applicants in the nation, represent 100 undergraduate institutions and diverse backgrounds. The school has dual degree programs in business, environmental studies, telecommunications, and public affairs. With a low faculty-to-student ratio, its highly published faculty is dedicated to interacting with students inside and outside the classroom. The school’s 8 clinics and 4 centers focus on areas of strength, including natural resources and environmental, American Indian, juvenile and family, telecommunications policy, and sustainable energy law. Colorado Law’s graduates are leaders in their profession and committed to public interest work.

 

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