St. Francis School of Law has named Gregory J. Brandes as its new Dean. St. Francis School of Law is an innovative distance learning law school, based in Newport Beach, CA, that is registered with the California Committee of Bar Examiners.

In announcing the appointment, St. Francis School of Law President, Jill Langen, Ph.D. said, “We are extremely pleased that Greg will be joining St. Francis. With over 16 years experience practicing law, and 17 years experience being an administrator of legal education programs, Greg brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to the St. Francis program. He has strong relationships with the school’s regulators and is well versed in the current regulations. He also has great respect for the St. Francis mission and the exceptionally strong academic results of the program.”

Dean Brandes is a true legal education pioneer, having helped create Concord Law School, the first fully online law school in the United States, in the late 1990’s. He was also Dean of San Francisco Law School, and Executive Dean of Law and Forensics of Alliant International University.

“It’s a great privilege to serve St. Francis at this juncture in its history,” said Brandes. “The School of Law has established itself as a respected leader in innovative legal education, by its tremendous student outcomes, rigorous and proven curriculum, and great faculty and staff. There remain many opportunities, including accreditation, and a wider role for the law school in continuing legal education and professional development for our graduates. We have excellent support from administration, and, most importantly, talented and engaged students. I look forward to working with everyone to make St. Francis even better.”

Before becoming a legal educator, Dean Brandes was in corporate and solo practice, and business, including leadership roles with leading bar review companies. He has taught contracts, torts, criminal law, evidence and criminal procedure in law school and numerous subjects in bar review. He has also lectured nationally on contract, business, privacy and employment law, among other topics.

Dean Brandes is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and Marycrest College of Davenport, Iowa.