FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2011
Contact: Tim Eigo, Arizona Attorney Editor
Phone: (602) 340-7310, Mobile: (602) 908-6991
Email: tim.eigo@staff.azbar.org

Arizona Attorney Features Dean Shirley Mays
of the Phoenix School of Law

PHOENIX - April 22, 2011 - The April edition of Arizona Attorney magazine features a Q&A with another of Arizona's legal education leaders, this time with Dean Shirley Mays of the Phoenix School of Law (PSL).

Mays assumed her post on Aug. 2, 2010, as the Dean of PSL, which last year earned full accreditation of the American Bar Association.

Tim Eigo, Editor of Arizona Attorney, sat down with the dean for a one-on-one interview, where she spoke with him about her background, the school's achievements, and goals for the institution's development.

Her insights became even more timely this week, when the school announced its plans to move to downtown Phoenix in August. According to PSL, "The relocation is a result of the school's dedication to enhancing its learning environment, commitment to improving student outcomes, and its increasing student enrollment."

"Law school deans are charged with training the next generation of lawyers," said Eigo. "Observing the evolution of legal training lets all lawyers peer into their profession's future."

In the story, Dean Mays shares her vision for the future of PSL. She says that the focus is to become a regional center of excellence, a fairly new concept that will allow the institution to become a practice-ready center and attract students from around the country.

Mays illustrates her personal journey of drive and dedication. She recalls the challenges of being a single parent while attending Harvard Law School, and shares her 20-year history as a law faculty member, which helped prepare and guide her for her current role at PSL.

She also addresses some of the external challenges that legal education faces. They include political and economic impacts, changes in the legal market, and job opportunities for graduates.

Arizona Attorney magazine is published 11 times per year by the State Bar of Arizona. It provides articles on substantive legal issues, professional trends and feature profiles.

The full article is available at www.myazbar.org/azattorney/

About the State Bar
The State Bar of Arizona is a non-profit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The Bar includes approximately 16,000 active attorneys and provides education and development programs for the legal profession and the public. Since 1933 the Bar and its members have been committed to serving the public by making sure the voices of all people in Arizona are heard in our justice system.

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