Patricia A. O'Hara, The Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law

At Notre Dame we strive for excellence -- excellence not simply for its own sake, but because we believe in the value of our particular perspective on the law. We offer a legal education within a community of faith; a community which sees itself as called to harness our gifts to the service of others.

Our challenge as one of the nation's premiere law schools is dual -- to be Catholic, with a wide spectrum of philosophical viewpoints that eschews a narrow parochialism, and to be great. Building on our traditions and our mission, we seek to educate a different kind of lawyer -- one who is extraordinarily competent and committed to the ideals of the profession, as well as one who recognizes the obligation to turn prudential judgment to the service of others.

This challenge is not for the faint of heart. We stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us. We are the legacy of more than 130 years. I think of myself, together with all who have taught here and graduated from the Law School, as the guardians of this legacy. Our faculty, deans, alumni and many friends and supporters are dedicated to preserving the unique tradition entrusted to us, as well as to taking it to new heights.

With the help of everyone in the Notre Dame community, I will do all that I can during my tenure as Dean to continue our quest of building a great Catholic law school -- a thriving intellectual community that feeds our own souls and stretches beyond Notre Dame to contribute to the legal profession as a whole.

Yours in Notre Dame,

Patricia A. O'Hara
Dean

Dean O'Hara's profile