Dean of Harvard Law School


The Dean of Harvard Law School is the head of Harvard Law School. The current Dean is John F. Manning, the 13th person to hold the post, who succeeded Martha Minow in 2017.

List of Deans of Harvard Law School

Founded in 1817, Harvard Law School is the oldest continuously operating law school in the United States. Since its founding, 13 people have officially served as Dean.
No.PictureNameTook officeLeft office
1Christopher Columbus Langdell18701895
2James Barr Ames18951910
3Ezra Ripley Thayer19101915
4Roscoe Pound19161936
5James M. Landis19371946
6Erwin Griswold19461967
7Derek Curtis Bok19681971
8Albert Martin Sacks19711981
9James Vorenberg19811989
10Robert C. Clark19892003
11Elena Kagan20032009
12Martha Minow20092017
13John F. Manning2017present

Acting Deans

Several individuals have also served as acting dean at one time or another. They are: Samuel Williston, Austin Wakeman Scott, Edward Henry Warren, Joseph Warren, Joseph Henry Beale, Edmund Morris Morgan, Robert Amory, Jr., Livingston Hall, Andrew James Casner, and Patricia Ann Lovett.