Odette Lienau joined Boston College Law School in January 2023 as the inaugural Marianne D. Short, Esq., Dean, having previously served as a professor of law and former associate dean for faculty research and intellectual life at Cornell University Law School.听
As dean, she has strengthened 海角社区 Law鈥檚 mission of providing a stellar legal education grounded in service to the greater good, including through record faculty hiring and support; programmatic, quality of life, and facilities improvements; increased international engagement; and expanded placement efforts and alumni involvement.听
Under Dean Lienau鈥檚 leadership, 海角社区 Law has launched two new degree programs, a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Cybersecurity, Risk, and Governance, and a highly selective Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). The School has hired fifteen outstanding new faculty members over the past three years, and restructured its faculty services and publication support efforts to further strengthen the School鈥檚 academic reputation.听Under her tenure, 海角社区 Law has moved up twelve spots in the US News & World Report rankings to #25, and graduate employment results have hit all-time highs.
Dean Lienau also has worked hard to engage larger portions of an already dedicated and passionate alumni base. As part of the University鈥檚 Soaring Higher campaign, the School announced an ambitious goal to raise 鈥�$100 million for 100 years,鈥� a nod to its upcoming Centennial Celebration in 2029. Over the past two years, 海角社区 Law has hit the highest annual fundraising achievements in its history.听
Dean Lienau has overseen numerous facilities improvements, from classroom renovations and revamped shared spaces to art installations, enhancing the campus鈥檚 role as a 鈥渟econd home鈥� for students to engage in both community gatherings and quiet focus. The School has right-sized its incoming class to improve the classroom experience and student support, resulting in the most accomplished and diverse student body in 海角社区 Law鈥檚 history, coinciding with all-time high application volumes. Through this, she has remained squarely focused on retaining the uniquely collaborative and collegial nature of the student and faculty community 鈥� a hallmark of the 海角社区 Law experience.听
Dean Lienau鈥檚 research and teaching interests center on international economic law, international law and international relations, and political and legal theory. Her first book, Rethinking Sovereign Debt: Politics, Reputation, and Legitimacy in Modern Finance, won an American Society of International Law Book Award. Her research and related articles have appeared in many distinguished publications, including the Harvard International Law Journal, Yale Journal of International Law and Oxford University Press, among others. She has served as a consultant and expert for the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD), the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, among other organizations, and is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Dean Lienau practiced with the Financial Restructuring and Insolvency group at Shearman & Sterling in New York City prior to joining Cornell Law School and has taught at Harvard and Yale Law Schools. She received her A.B. from Harvard College, her J.D. from NYU School of Law, and her Ph.D. in political science at Harvard University, where her dissertation received the University's Charles Sumner Prize.
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