Dean Stephen Rispoli earned his political science degree from Baylor University in 2009, his J.D. from Baylor Law in 2012, and his LL.M. from the University of Texas School of Law in 2018. Dean Rispoli serves as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Strategic Initiatives and as the Director of Innovation and Scholarship for the school’s Executive LL.M. in Litigation Management.
Prior to attending law school, Dean Rispoli worked as a District Director for former Texas State Representative Carol Kent. His time working in the 81st Legislature fostered his interest in the law and fueled his desire to become a lawyer and a leader. During law school, he was active in student organizations, serving as the Executive President for the Student Bar Association, and Justice for the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He interned for Federal Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske, learning and applying federal procedure, evidence, and the judicial process.
Upon graduation from Baylor Law, Dean Rispoli began working with Associate Dean Leah Teague to create and implement an innovate Leadership Development Program for law students. Together, they created the Leadership Engagement and Development Course, which they have been teaching since 2012. In 2020, Professor Patricia Wilson joined the team and the three co-taught the class. When Dean Teague endeavored to create a Section on Leadership for the Association of American Law Schools with legendary Stanford Law Professor Deborah Rhode, Dean Rispoli joined the effort by becoming a newsletter editor for the Section and helping grow membership and interest in the Section. Last year, Dean Rispoli, Dean Teague, and Professor Elizabeth Fraley teamed up to write Fundamentals of Lawyer Leadership, a textbook aimed at encouraging all law students and lawyers to use their time, talent, and training to make a positive difference in the world, no matter their position or title.
