Dean of Students Janet Stearns recently published an article “Inoculating the Next Generation of Lawyers: Mandating Substance Use and Mental Health Education for Law Students” in the University of Louisville Law Review. The article reviews some of the major approaches for mandating an educational requirement for substance use and mental health education for law students and makes recommendations based on best practices.
Stearns was appointed dean of students in 2007 and regularly teaches Professional Responsibility. The ABA COLAP recognized Dean Stearns with the Meritorious Service Award at the 2020 Virtual National Conference in November 2020. The AALS Student Services Section presented Stearns with the Kutulakis Award in January 2022 for “outstanding contributions…in the provision of student services.” Dean Stearns is past chair of the AALS Student Services Section and chairs the Law School Committee of the ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs. Dean Stearns and the Miami Student Affairs Team were recognized with NALSAP’s CORE Four Award in 2020.
