Mitchell Hamline School of law names Camille Davidson as new president and dean

Anna Pearson, Pioneer Press
Updated ·2 min read

Camille Davidson has been named the new president and dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She will be the first Black woman to serve in these roles at Mitchell Hamline or any of its predecessor institutions.

Established in December 2015 through a collaboration between William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law, Mitchell Hamline is an independent law school, and according to its website, “the region’s largest.”

Davidson, born and raised in Mississippi, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., and earned a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. With experience as a dean and professor of law at Southern Illinois University School of Law — where she also was the first Black woman to hold these positions. Davidson previously taught various courses as a professor and administrator at Charlotte School of Law and Wake Forest University School of Law for 11 years.

“Camille emerged early as a clear standout in an extremely qualified field,” said former trustee Jim Jacobson, who led the national search process, in a statement.

Davidson began her position at SIU Law in July 2020, and recently brought in the largest donation — $10 million — in the history of the university to the law school. During her time there, SIU Law saw increases in applications, diversity and employment rates for graduates.

“I am thrilled to be leading Mitchell Hamline,” said Davidson in a statement. “Mitchell Hamline’s record of innovation and adaptability . . . speaks to its independence and forward-looking approach.”

Davidson also had praise for the school’s on-campus program, which has provided training for thousands of attorneys in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. As someone specializing in health law, Davidson said she alsol was drawn to Mitchell Hamline because of the school’s Health Law Institute and Public Health Law Center.

Mark C. Gordon was Mitchell Hamline’s first president and dean from 2015 to 2019. After an interim period led by Peter Knapp, Anthony S. Niedwiecki was president and dean from 2020 to 2023, followed by interim President and Dean Jim Hilbert.

Davidson and her husband have two children. She will start at Mitchell Hamline on July 1.

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