Michael Fitts’ vision for and support of interdisciplinary research and teaching is shaping the future of legal education. Under his leadership, Penn Law has become a national leader in cross-disciplinary legal education, with 30 degree and certificate programs offered in partnership with Wharton, the Medical School, and other schools on Penn’s campus. He has expanded the size and academic breadth of the standing faculty, recruiting more than 25 renowned scholars and promising young intellectuals. In addition, Penn Law has expanded its global connections and impacts through a range of international partnerships and programs.

Fitts served as a clerk to Third Circuit Judge Leon Higginbotham and as an attorney in the Office of Legal Counsel. He has written on questions of administrative law, presidential power and separation of powers, and has argued for improving the structure of political parties and executive-branch decision making. Fitts is a member of the Law and Political Process Study Group of the American Political Science Association. His 14-year tenure as Dean of Penn Law ended in June, when he steped down to become President of Tulane University in New Orleans.