The UH Law Center’s dean of seven years has retired so he can return to teaching law, after a year-long sabbatical. During this transitional period, the Law Center will look for a new dean to take the lead.

Following the retirement of former Dean Raymond Nimmer, the center has named Richard Alderman, the previous associate dean, as the interim dean. Even though Nimmer will return to teaching, his strategy to constantly improve the law center will remain as Alderman takes control.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Nimmer for the past seven years. I hope to continue in his footsteps and place the law center in the best position possible to attract a permanent dean,” Alderman said.

Nimmer’s renowned service to the Law Center is also reflected by students at the law school who are confident the prestige that Nimmer’s established during his time as dean will continue.

“The Law Center is run with such efficiency that Dean Nimmer’s leave of absence will be noted but without loss of daily function,” said Katherine Wilson, first-year law student at the Law Center.

Alderman, also referred to as the “The People’s Lawyer” in the Houston area for the legal advice he gives the community via television shows and newspaper columns, is the director of the Consumer Law Center.

Alderman announced that professor Lonny Hoffman would be the associate dean at the Law Center. Hoffman, who specializes with state and federal civil law, joined the faculty at the Law Center in 2001. At the press release, Hoffman was named the associate dean.

Hoffman addressed his colleagues by ensuring he will continue to push the Law Center forward in the right direction.

“I welcome the opportunity to serve as associate dean as we continue to implement improvements to make a great law school even better,” Hoffman said.

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