Georgetown Law Hires New Dean With Experience Surviving GOP Witch-Hunt
Above the Law
by Joe PatriceFebruary 13, 2026
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Georgetown University Law Center has appointed Liz Magill as its new dean, marking a significant shift in leadership following the departure of William Treanor. Magill, who previously served as president of the University of Pennsylvania and dean at Stanford Law School, brings extensive experience navigating high-stakes political and legal environments. Her appointment comes amid increasing scrutiny of academic institutions by Republican-led efforts to challenge "wokeness" in higher education.
Magill's career took a notable turn during a 2023 House hearing where she faced backlash for accurately describing how university speech codes operate. Testifying alongside leaders from MIT and Harvard, Magill responded to Representative Elise Stefanik's inquiry about whether certain statements—such as calls for "genocide of Jews"—would violate Penn's code of conduct. Her legally precise response sparked outrage among donors, leading to her eventual departure from Penn. Despite this, Magill expressed regret over the phrasing of her testimony and emphasized the importance of creating safe environments for all students.
In an interview with *Politico*, Magill reflected on the impact of her congressional testimony, acknowledging how it distressed Jewish students at Penn. She stressed the need to balance legal accuracy with compassion and care, particularly in addressing concerns raised by students. Her experience underscores the growing challenges faced by academic leaders as they navigate political polarization and public backlash.
Magill's appointment at Georgetown highlights her ability to adapt to such pressures while maintaining a commitment to institutional values. As she prepares to lead the law
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Originally published on Above the Law on 2/13/2026