UMass Law UMass Law: UMass Law forms Dean's Advisory Board

Prominent members of MA business and legal community to provide strategic advice to the Commonwealth's only public law school

UMass Dartmouth School of Law Dean Sam Panarella recently announced the formation of a new UMass Law Dean's Advisory Board, made up of a distinguished group of business, legal, and public service leaders from throughout the Commonwealth. Drawing on their combined decades of experience in law, business, politics, and public service, the 14-member board will provide strategic guidance and support to Dean Panarella.

"As the state's only public law school, it's crucial that we serve the diverse interests of people and entities who hire, train, and mentor young lawyers across the Commonwealth," said Panarella. "The new UMass Law Dean’s Advisory Board's advice and engagement will help us ensure we make informed decisions based on real-world insights."

"As the state's only public law school, it's crucial that we serve the diverse interests of people and entities who hire, train, and mentor young lawyers across the Commonwealth. The new UMass Law Dean’s Advisory Board's advice and engagement will help us ensure we make informed decisions based on real-world insights."

2024-25 UMass Law Dean's Advisory Board 

• Jean MacCormack – UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Emerita (board chair)
• Ann Maguire Keches – UMass System Board of Trustees and Founder of Keches Law Group Medical Malpractice Department
• Hon. Phillip Rapoza (Ret.) – Former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and former trial judge of the Massachusetts District and Superior Courts. Former international judge on both the Supreme Court Chamber of the Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia and the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in East Timor
• (Rt) US Ambassador Robert Sherman – Former US Ambassador to Portugal and Senior Counsel at Greenberg Traurig
• Jim Karam – Chairman and Founder of First Bristol Corporation
• Rontear Pendleton – Deputy Attorney General at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and Adjunct Professor at UMass Law
• Joe Nauman – Former General Counsel at Acushnet Holdings
• Walter Prince – Founding Partner at Prince Lobel
• Shayla Mombeleur JD '17 – Associate at Todd & Weld and Secretary of the Massachusetts Bar Association
• Joe DeMedeiros BA '99, MBA '08 – Partner at Locke Lord
• Catherine Summa JD '23 – Associate at Nelson Mullins
• Lou Ricciardi – President and CEO of Bristol Wealth Group/Raymond James Financial
• Tom Quinn – Bristol County District Attorney (ex officio)
• Jeff Medeiros – President of Bristol County Bar Association (ex officio) 

The advisory board will meet in person twice a year to discuss the school's strategic direction, community engagement, and other key issues affecting the legal and business landscapes of the Commonwealth.

"The fact that these prominent leaders in law, education, business, and public service are investing their time in the future of our public law school shows a deep belief in our mission to empower the next generation of lawyers to pursue justice by providing an excellent, affordable, and accessible legal education," said Panarella.