New Haven Independent

Koh let the law school community know Monday that he’s leaving the school immediately in order to prepare for confirmation hearings on his nomination as State Department legal adviser.

Koh (pictured picking up his New Haven resident ID card on its first day of issuance), who grew up in New Haven, served in the last Democratic administration, too, as an assistant secretary of state in the Democracy in the Human Rights and Labor Division.

Since Barack Obama’s election, Koh has been mentioned repeatedly as being on short lists for presidential appointments. Some observers considered him a possible Supreme Court nominee.

Yale President Richard Levin announced Monday afternoon that Kate Stith, Lafayette S. Foster Professor of Law, will serve as interim dean of the law school.

Following the email message Koh sent to the law school community Monday:

* * * *

I wanted you to know that today, President Obama is announcing his intent to
nominate me as The Legal Adviser of the United States Department of State.
If confirmed, I will resign as Dean of Yale Law School and take a public
service leave from my professorship. As you will shortly hear from
President Levin, an Acting Dean will be appointed immediately to assume my
day-to-day duties, while I prepare for an upcoming confirmation hearing
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

There is no institution I love more than the Yale Law School. I have had the
privilege of teaching here since 1985, and serving as your Dean since
2004. If confirmed, I will step down as Dean. As a professor, I plan to
take a leave of absence and to return here to teach again once my public
service is over. Over these past five years, no dean could have been
luckier: in my remarkable faculty colleagues; in the spectacular students
who have taught me so much; in the loyal alumni who have supported us so
generously; in the dedicated staff—particularly my fellow deans and friends
in the Dean’s Office— who have shared my love for this place; and in the
rare opportunity to serve at this great university under President Levin’s
inspired leadership.

But from my first day as Dean, I have spoken of Yale Law School’s abiding
commitments to public service, globalization, and the profession. I have
urged my students to live their lives as lawyers by using their passion and
training to build a better world. President Obama and Secretary Clinton have
now offered me an opportunity to live those commitments myself, by joining
their effort to help our country live up to its own best standards and
principles.

*We are planning an all-school meeting in the Law School Auditorium
tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. to introduce the Acting Dean
and to answer any questions you might have.* I am happy to answer questions
about my own situation; the Acting Dean will answer questions about the
School. I certainly hope you can attend. Obviously, if you are in class
during that time, that should take priority.

For now, I simply wanted to thank you for all you have done for me and my
family these past five years. I will miss you. But as you know, New Haven
has been my home since 1961, and my family, friends and roots are all here.
There is no place like this place. Please know that you will be my source
of inspiration and comfort in the months ahead.

With heartfelt thanks and affection,

*Harold *

Harold Hongju Koh

Dean, Yale Law School