Jamaican-born scholar selected as dean of NYU law school

Jamaican-born Troy McKenzie, Cecelia Goetz Professor of Law at New York University (NYU) Law School, has been chosen to become the law school’s new dean, succeeding Trevor Morrison, who will step down. duties on May 31. 2022. McKenzie was selected following a rigorous search process conducted by a 12-member search committee. His appointment was welcomed by many who appreciate the fact that McKenzie himself graduated from NYU law school. Associate Dean Rachel Barkow, a Seligson law professor who chaired the search committee, described McKenzie as “the epitome of exceptional leaders” produced by NYU.

McKenzie received his JD from NYU in 2000, joining the school’s faculty in 2007. Among the courses he teaches are bankruptcy, complex litigation, procedure, and a seminar on the United States Supreme Court. In 2008, he received the Albert Podell Distinguished Teaching Award, and in 2020 he was one of six NYU faculty members to receive the school’s Distinguished Teaching Award.

According to NYU President Andrew Hamilton, McKenzie is known for his good judgment, respect for his colleagues, broad scientific interest, willingness to mentor students, strong work ethic, and love for school. Hamilton cited McKenzie’s experience in public and private law as a strong asset to his new role, as did his outstanding record of achievement and outstanding service to the profession and to NYU. Hamilton believes McKenzie is “an exceptional choice” to lead NYU’s law school, which is one of the best law schools in the world. He is also co-director of faculty at NYU’s Center on Civil Justice and the Institute of Judicial Administration. Prior to his faculty appointment at NYU, McKenzie worked for Justice Pierre N. Leval of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Justice John Paul Stevens of the United States Supreme Court. He also worked as a litigation partner at Debevoise & Plimpton. In 2015, on public service leave from NYU Law, he served as Deputy Attorney Generation Assistant in the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.

McKenzie was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States with his family when he was five years old. He grew up in Irvington, New Jersey, and entered Princeton University in 1993, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. However, after attending an on-campus lecture given by United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, he discovered his interest in law and did not accept the offer of a job. engineer to enter NYU Law School. As a student at NYU, he was an active member of the Black Allied Law Students Association and received the Most Outstanding Law Review Note award for an article discussing sovereign immunity in bankruptcy.

Commenting on his new appointment as Dean, McKenzie said he was honored to hold the position and thanked Dean Morrison for leading the school for nine years and setting it on a positive path on which he is delighted to lean on. McKenzie said he looks forward to working with the entire law school community to realize his potential.

Photo – NYU Alumni Page