Ronald Rotunda Leaves George Mason for Chapman University

Ronald Rotunda, former George Mason University law professor and an expert on legal ethics and constitutional law, has signed on to join the Chapman University School of Law’s faculty as a tenured professor on Aug. 1. Rotunda will be joined by his wife Kyndra, an expert on military personnel and disability law.

The Rotundas’ move to Chapman, located in Orange, California, marks the third major defection to the university from GMU in the past year. The Orange County Register's "College Life" blog reported that in July 2007, Nobel economist Vernon Smith left GMU with his team of researchers to help establish the Economic Science Institute at Chapman. He also has a joint appointment with the law school.

Earlier this month renowned physicist Yakir Abaronov, whose name has been mentioned as a possible Nobel candidate for his work in quantum physics and in earth observation, joined Chapman to establish its College of Science and Center for Excellence.

Daniele Struppa, Chapman’s chancellor, joined the university from GMU in 2006.

Ronald Rotunda says the decision to join Chapman’s faculty was based on the school's aggressive push in recent years to become a major force in legal education. He cited the school’s increased endowment and student-teacher ration, which he says rivals Yale’s.

“We’re very pleased to be joining a university on its way up,” he says.

Rotunda said his decision to leave GMU was in part because "sadly, the university has some problems." Rotunda couldn't elaborate further because he was boarding a plane to Istanbul.

Dan Walsch, GMU press secretary, says the university wishes the Rotundas well, but their departure will not affect the quality of its Law School.

"We rise on the quality of everyone, and our success does not rest on the shoulders of any one individual," Walsch says.

Rotunda, who has been at GMU since 2002 and co-authored the most widely used course book on legal ethics, has also worked with developing nations around the world in writing constitutions and judicial codes. At Chapman, he will help the law school create a formal concentration in constitutional law, says Chapman Law School Dean John Eastman.

Eastman says he reached out to the Rotundas, and within 48 hours they were on a flight out to interview for positions with the university.

Kyndra Rotunda will join the law school’s clinical program and will help establish a law clinic for military personnel.