On July 1, the Law School welcomed its 19th dean, Neel U. Sukhatme—the first fully external dean in Michigan Law’s 166-year history.
Sukhatme is an interdisciplinary empirical scholar whose research focuses on crime, intellectual property, voting rights, and AI and the law, among other areas. He joined the Law School from Georgetown University Law Center, where in addition to his faculty titles, he served as associate dean for research and academic programs and co-directed the Georgetown Law and Economics Workshop series.
Just months into his deanship, Sukhatme shares his first impressions of Michigan Law, what motivates his approach to leadership, and what excites him most about the years ahead.
1. You’ve been in Ann Arbor for a few months now. What has surprised you most about Michigan Law, and what have you learned about this community that you didn’t fully expect?
The warmth and authenticity of our community. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni have gone out of their way to welcome my family and me, and I’ve quickly learned that “collegiality” here isn’t just a phrase we toss around. I knew that Michigan Law has a tradition of excellence, but now that I’m on campus, I’ve seen firsthand how invested everyone is in making Michigan Law not just a remarkable institution but also a community where people genuinely support one another. I’ve already seen how far that spirit travels—from the European Alumni Reunion in Berlin to swapping stories at the Los Angeles tailgate before the USC football game (even if that game didn’t go as we’d hoped). It’s humbling and energizing to be part of a community like this.
2. Early in your tenure, what priorities are rising to the top of your agenda? How do you balance near-term needs with long-term ambition?
Several priorities are both pressing and foundational. For students, my focus is on access and support, especially in the wake of changes to federal financial aid. We’re looking at how to ensure all students—regardless of background—have the resources they need to thrive. For faculty, my goal is to deepen support for research and teaching. I want to strengthen the connection between legal scholarship and its real-world impact, whether that’s through new interdisciplinary partnerships or exploring the possibility of new centers and institutes. Helping faculty pursue big ideas benefits our entire community. Operationally, we’re sharpening our focus on financial sustainability—expanding financial aid, identifying new revenue streams, and ensuring efficient operations so we remain competitive and well positioned to serve our mission in the long run. My goal is to make thoughtful decisions now that set Michigan Law on an even stronger trajectory for the future.
3. As you look ahead to your first few years as dean, what is your overarching vision for Michigan Law? Where do you see the greatest opportunities to strengthen the school’s academic excellence, student experience, and societal impact?
My vision for Michigan Law is of a community that honors its traditions while embracing change, preparing students not only for their first job but for a lifetime of principled leadership. I want to strengthen our longstanding excellence in legal scholarship by supporting innovative research and teaching—especially at the intersections of law and technology, where Michigan has an opportunity to lead nationally on questions of AI governance, ethics, and societal impact.
At the same time, the student experience is central, and I’m committed to ensuring every student feels supported, challenged, and empowered through expanded access, stronger resources, and more hands-on learning. As a public institution, we also have a responsibility to make a broad societal impact, whether by building on the tremendous work of our clinics, supporting faculty research on topics including access to justice, or leading in areas such as public defense, among many others. I’m eager to expand these efforts and deepen interdisciplinary partnerships that connect scholarship with real-world benefit.
Put simply, my vision is to sustain what makes Michigan exceptional while positioning us at the forefront of the most important legal challenges of the 21st century.
4. Alumni and donors are essential partners in advancing the school’s mission. What areas of investment or innovation are you most excited to champion, and how do you envision engaging alumni in those efforts?
I’m energized by the momentum of the Look to Michigan campaign and the partnership it invites with our alumni, whose generosity and engagement have always been central to the Law School’s success. Our most immediate opportunities include expanding support for students through financial and career resources; strengthening faculty support so we can attract and retain the very best scholars and teachers; and enhancing our facilities, including modernizing our classrooms and renovating the underground Law Library.
Just as important, I want alumni to feel deeply connected with us as mentors, ambassadors, and thought partners, because every form of involvement enriches our community and helps ensure Michigan Law remains a place where exceptional learning and leadership can thrive. I want alumni not only to support our work but to help shape it.
5. Aside from the fact that you’re the dean, what do you want alumni to know about you?
First and foremost, I see myself as a member of this community: Someone who cares deeply about the people and mission of Michigan Law and genuinely enjoys connecting with students, faculty, and alumni wherever those conversations happen. I’m naturally curious and interested in alumni perspectives, and I hope people will see me as approachable and engaged. Indeed, one thing I immediately noticed after coming to Ann Arbor: Michigan Law graduates really love their alma mater, in a way I’ve never seen anywhere else.
On a personal level, I’m a lifelong learner, a parent, and someone already embracing Ann Arbor’s uniqueness—from football Saturdays to searching for the best local venues for music. I’m also someone who believes strongly in data-driven decision-making and in creating an environment where people can bring forward bold ideas. Above all, I view my role as a steward: honoring our tradition, inviting new ideas, and fostering the sense of belonging that makes Michigan Law extraordinary.
