Andy Hessick takes the helm as Carolina Law’s new interim dean

Andy Hessick officially assumes leadership of UNC School of Law today, stepping into the role of interim dean with nine years of strategic vision that helped transform Carolina Law into a national powerhouse. 

The Judge John J. Parker Distinguished Professor of Law takes the helm from Dean Martin Brinkley ’92, who led the school’s rise from No. 45 to No. 18 in national rankings — the highest position in the law school’s 180-year history. Since 2018, Hessick has served as associate dean for strategy and planning, working directly with Brinkley while also leading university-wide initiatives as Secretary of the Faculty and serving on the Committee on University Government. 

“I’m honored and humbled to take on the role of interim dean,” Hessick wrote to the Carolina Law community. “With that position comes the tremendous responsibility of preserving Carolina Law’s 180-year legacy of producing lawyer-leaders, and the charge of guiding Carolina Law into the future.” 

Hessick brings credentials from editing the Yale Law Journal, clerking for federal appellate judges, serving as a Bristow Fellow in the U.S. Solicitor General’s office, and practicing litigation at a top Washington firm. Before arriving at Carolina Law in 2016, he also taught at the University of Utah and Arizona State University, experiences that broadened his perspective on legal education and set him apart as a leader. His scholarly work has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and state supreme courts across the country. As associate dean, he co-founded the Supreme Court Program, achieving a unanimous 9-0 victory in McElrath v. Georgia while giving students direct experience working on cases before the nation’s highest court. 

“Carolina Law has incredibly powerful forward momentum — momentum that is driven by the students, faculty, and staff,” Hessick wrote. “Together, we will ensure Carolina Law’s continuing success.” 

University leadership has expressed confidence in this transition. Chancellor Lee H. Roberts praised the appointment, and Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost James W. Dean Jr. said Hessick is ready to lead the school into another academic year. 

While the University will launch a search for a permanent dean in the coming months, Carolina Law moves forward today with steady leadership committed to building on our strong foundation.