“The law school has a richly diverse student body and faculty, and I have made a commitment to ensure that this diversity continues to distinguish University of Maryland through its Women and Leadership and other programs. I believe that with my support and by continuing these priorities, Maryland will be the premier urban research institution,” Haddon said.

Haddon is credited as an accomplished scholar on constitutional law and tort law, and has co-authored two casebooks and written numerous articles on academic freedom, jury participation, equal protection and diversity. She received an LLM from Yale University Law School and a law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. Haddon served as editor-in-chief of the Duquesne Law Review. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and serves as vice-chair of the Smith College trustee board.

Haddon has been a leader in national organizations focused on improving U.S. legal education. She serves on the Council of the American Bar Association Section on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, which is the accrediting body of U.S. law schools. In addition, she has served as co-president of the board of governors and member of the executive committee of the Society of American Law Teachers, member of the executive committee of the Association of American Law Schools, and a trustee of the Law School Admission Council.

Stay tuned more reporting on law school diversity when Diverse: Issues In Higher Education publishes a special report on law in its April 16, 2009 edition. The issue will feature a story on women law school deans.