Return to the Classroom

After much consideration, I have decided that I am going to return to teaching full time and leave my administrative duties as Dean. My last day as Dean will be June 30th, 2010. Being Dean of TLS has been rewarding and challenging. During the last five years, the TLS team has been able to work together to achieve many things:


Increased enrollment to its highest level

Expanded its position as a Christian law school with aggressive marketing through videos, blogs, heralded radio commercials, and the most successful print materials ever used for the law school

Achieved its highest overall bar pass rate since a statistically significant number of students were taking the exam

Renewed its California Bar and Higher Learning Commission accreditation without external supervision or extra reports

Revised and improved the curriculum

Hired all current full time and most current part-time law faculty

Managed a balanced budget each year with an aggregate surplus of income over expenses around one million dollars

Received over $479,000 in gifts

Expanded the law school's mission

Hosted the successful God and Governing Conference

Opened an internship program for Pacific Justice Institute on campus

Opened a legal clinic at the Orange County Rescue Mission

Hosted speeches by over a dozen nationally known speakers


I have to admit I am thankful to give up the stress and tension of being Dean in favor of getting back to the writing, research, and teaching that I enjoy most.

I am also happy to announce that Professor Myron Steeves has accepted the offer to serve as interim Dean of Trinity Law School effective July 1, 2010. Professor Steeves has been a valuable member of the law school family since 1992, serving as an adjunct professor and - currently - as Director of Development and Alumni Relations. Please provide Dean Steeves with your support and pray for him, that God would bless his time as Dean and guide him as he leads Trinity Law School.

It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve God and all of the Trinity community in the role of Dean of the law school. I am very thankful to have had your prayers and encouragement throughout these five years. I look forward to continuing to serve God and the Trinity community as a full time faculty member once again.

Very Truly Yours,


Donald R. McConnell