Karen Sneddon, former Mercer Law School associate dean, has been named the interim law school dean by Provost David Scott Davis. The announcement comes in the wake of Dean Cathy Cox’s appointment to president of Georgia College and State University.
“I value Mercer's students, alumni, staff, faculty and administrators,” Sneddon said. “I'm pleased to be able to serve in this role.”
Sneddon will assume her post of interim dean Oct. 1, the same day Cox her work at GCSU.
Sneddon is currently a professor of law and associate dean for faculty research and development. She was a Forrester Fellow at Tulane Law School and an associate at a New York City law firm before coming to teach at Mercer in 2006.
She graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University and summa cum laude from Tulane Law School.
“I’m grateful that Professor Sneddon has agreed to serve as interim dean,” Davis said. “She is well-regarded as an outstanding scholar and teacher by her colleagues in the Law School and has filled important leadership roles across the University, including serving as chair of the Faculty House of Delegates.”
The announcement of Cox’s appointment to president of Georgia College and State University came Aug. 12. She has been the dean of Mercer Law since 2017.
“I appreciate the leadership that Cathy Cox has provided for our law school over the last four-plus years,” Davis said. “She will be an outstanding president for Georgia College, and as a graduate of Mercer Law School will always be part of the Mercer family.”
A search committee will be appointed to conduct a national search for a new law school dean, according to Mercer Director of Media Relations Kyle Sears. Sneddon will hold her position until a new dean is appointed.
Mary Helene Hall ‘23 is a journalism and women’s and gender studies student who has worked for The Cluster throughout her time at Mercer. She has held internships at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AL.com, where she covered a variety of topics including politics, crime and culture.
