University of Missouri Provost Latha Ramchand has announced that Paul Litton, associate dean for faculty research and R. B. Price Professor of Law will serve as interim dean of Mizzou Law. This appointment follows the announcement that Lyrissa Lidsky, dean and Judge C.A. Leedy Professor of Law at Mizzou Law will step down from the deanship on July 4. Dean Litton will assume the office on that day.

“Over the last several weeks, we received input from a variety of constituents, including faculty, staff, and alumni, on the interim appointment,” said Provost Ramchand. “This collective input, along with Paul Litton’s experience as a teacher, researcher and administrator, prompted this decision.”

Dean Litton is completing his seventh year as associate dean for research and faculty development. In addition, he has served as director of the office of academic integrity within the MU Office of the Provost since 2017.

“I am honored and excited to serve Mizzou Law in this role,” Litton said. “I am so fortunate to have worked with Dean Lidsky and am thankful for all she has achieved for our school. I am thrilled to carry forward her accomplishments. The credentials of our students have never been higher, our faculty scholarship and teaching continue to excel, and our alumni continue to make our school and university proud. This is a great time to be at Mizzou Law.”

Litton joined the School of Law’s faculty in 2006 after spending two years as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Clinical Bioethics within the National Institutes of Health. Previously, he was law clerk to the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, working primarily on capital cases. Litton earned a JD and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania and conducts research at the intersection of law and philosophy.

Provost Ramchand has announced that a national search for the next full-time Mizzou Law dean will begin soon.