Janutis to Serve as Director of Faculty Development

July 12, 2007

Associate Professor Rachel Janutis has been named the Director of Faculty Development for 2007-2008. In this role, Janutis is responsible for supporting and promoting teaching and faculty scholarship at Capital University Law School.

“I am impressed by the vibrant, diverse and supportive community of scholars and teachers we have at Capital,” said Janutis. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the faculty to strengthen our intellectual exchange with one another and to enhance our engagement with the academic and legal communities at-large.”

Janutis said she plans to increase the opportunities for faculty to share ideas about teaching and scholarship through both formal and informal dialogues and continue to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of each of the members of Capital’s community.  Additionally, she hopes to facilitate better distribution of faculty scholarship to the academic and legal communities through both traditional and alternative media and continue to bring leaders in the academic and legal communities to Capital to engage the faculty in discussion about pressing legal issues of the day.

Dean Jack A. Guttenberg said that he realigned the position that was formerly held by Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Development Dennis Hirsch. Hirsch decided to return to the faculty full-time to focus on his teaching and scholarship. “Professor Hirsch did an excellent job of bringing in cutting-edge scholars to discuss new teaching methods and legal ideas and to recognize faculty accomplishments. I believe that it is important that we continue this and further enhance and support the development of Capital faculty’s teaching and scholarship. I am excited that Professor Janutis has accepted the position; she will ensure that we continue to grow and mature as a community of teachers and scholars,” said Guttenberg.

Janutis joined Capital in 2002 from the University of Illinois College of Law where she was a visiting assistant professor. Prior to teaching at the University of Illinois, she served as a law clerk for The Hon. Harlington Wood, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Janutis also practiced with the Chicago law firm of Winston & Strawn. Additionally, she represented juveniles in delinquency and abuse and neglect proceedings on a pro bono basis. She is a co-author of Cases and Problems on Remedies, 3rd ed. with Elaine W. Shoben and William Murray Tabb. Her areas of research include Civil Procedure, Remedies and Complex Litigation, specifically issues pertaining to jurisdiction, venue and punitive damages. She teaches Civil Procedure, Remedies and Complex Litigation.