Dean Polden will work closely with senior research faculty member Roland Smith and faculty member Corey Criswell, who head Center for Creative Leadership’s legal sector practice, on several initiatives related to law and leadership. Among them: expanding the curriculum and instructional materials for leadership courses at law schools, describing the changing nature of leadership for lawyers in various segments of the legal community and how “leading” lawyers foster entrepreneurship and innovation in Silicon Valley.
Having led Santa Clara Law since 2003, Polden also served as chair of the Standards Review Committee of the American Bar Association during its comprehensive review of accreditation standards for American legal education. Prior to joining Santa Clara, he was dean and professor of law at the University of Memphis School of Law and associate dean and professor at Drake University School of Law. He also clerked for the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
Polden was instrumental in instituting an annual national conference, known as the Leadership Roundtable, at Santa Clara University; it brings together law faculty teaching leadership in law schools, law firm professional development experts, and corporate general counsel and law firm partners to discuss advancing leadership education in law schools and law practice. He also has published articles on leadership education in law schools and in the legal profession, including the first law review symposium issue on the subject.
“I am very honored to be associated with the Center for Creative Leadership, a top-ranked, international provider of leadership education and professional and executive development,” Polden said. “I look forward to working with the tremendously talented staff and faculty at CCL on projects that will advance leadership education for lawyers, judges and law students.”
Polden holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and earned a J.D. from the Indiana University-Indianapolis Law School.
