Nationally recognized expert in disability and civil rights law brings wealth of administrative and academic experience to alma mater
Michael Waterstone, an esteemed expert in disability and civil rights law, has been named the new dean of UCLA School of Law, effective August 15. Waterstone, who currently serves as the Fritz B. Burns Dean at LMU Loyola Law School and senior vice president of Loyola Marymount University, brings a wealth of administrative and academic experience to his new role.
During his tenure at Loyola Law School, which began in 2016, Waterstone was responsible for the creation and growth of several programs, including the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic, the Coelho Center on Disability Law, Policy and Innovation, and the school’s Antiracism Center. He also oversaw the recruitment of more than 20 law faculty, the creation of a hybrid J.D. program, and the appointment of the school’s first associate dean of equity and inclusion. Additionally, Waterstone secured some of the largest gifts in the school’s history.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to working with all of our constituencies — faculty, students, staff, alumni and other colleagues — to build on all of our successes into what I know is an exciting future,” Waterstone said. He also expressed his gratitude to UCLA for the appointment, which brings him back to his alma mater. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA.
Waterstone’s research and teaching interests include disability justice, civil rights law, employment law, and law and leadership. He has consulted on projects for the National Council on Disability and testified before the U.S. Senate on issues related to voters with disabilities and older voters. Internationally, he has worked with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions on disability rights laws in several countries, including Israel, Japan, China, Bangladesh, Ireland, and Vietnam.
“Dean Waterstone’s administrative and academic experience and achievements, coupled with his UCLA roots and strong ties to our city, position him well to lead UCLA Law at this moment,” said Darnell Hunt, UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost. “Chancellor Block and I are confident that the school will reach new heights under his capable leadership.”
Waterstone takes over the position from Professor Russell Korobkin, who has served as interim dean since June 2022.
