Loyola’s law school just gained a world of experience. With roots in Puerto Rico and background in immigration law, new Loyola College of Law Dean Maria Pabón López brings experience that stretches beyond the city limits.

López began her work as dean in late June after a year-long search for a new dean. Former Dean Brian Bromberger announced his expected retirement last year, but suffered a heart attack and died prior to his proposed retirement date. Since then, law professor Kathryn Venturatos Lorio has served as interim dean of the school.

López is a native of Puerto Rico and an expert in immigration rights. With her background, López said she possesses a multicultural understanding of the world.

“I bring the perspective of someone who grew up in another culture,” López said.

Law professor Lloyd Drury said he doesn’t think that López’s expertise on immigration was the only factor in the decision to hire her as dean, but said it was beneficial.

“I think that she’s committed to a lot of causes and immigration is one that would fit well in New Orleans right now,” Drury said. “There’s a big Latin community that’s been growing since the hurricane and I think she’d be interested in kind of coordinating things and tapping into that.”

Drury also said he believes López will fit in at Loyola.

“I think she’ll relate well with students and deal well with alumni. She’s already started to develop a good relationship with faculty and she seems very well suited to engage a lot of constituents,” Drury said.

López said she is excited about promoting Loyola’s mission.

“There’s a tremendous mission for social justice, for lawyers doing good things in their community so my idea would be fostering that,” she said.

López also said she plans to be more involved with Loyola’s undergraduate population than previous deans of the Law School.

“I’m hoping to make some connections with the undergrads there at Loyola who might be interested because I’ve done it,” López said.

She also said she hopes to inspire other students to go global with their careers in the same way she did.

“I can’t think there’s a lot of U.S. academics who’ve done this,” López said.

Lawrence Moore, associate dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Law, described López as an “iron fist in a velvet glove.” She has likeability but also the toughness required to be a successful dean.

However, Moore said that it’s impossible to predict who will be a successful dean.

“Until you’ve sat in the dean’s chair, you’ve never had the experience to be dean,” Moore said.

Kelsi Allenbach can be reached at [email protected]