Detroit Mercy Law appoints Interim Dean, Nicholas Schroeck

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law announced that Nicholas Schroeck will serve as Interim Dean as of June 1, 2024. Dean Schroeck joined Detroit Mercy Law in 2018 as the Director of Clinical Programs and Associate Professor of Law. He was appointed Associate Dean of Experiential Education in 2019. 

"I look forward to working with the Detroit Mercy Law community in this new capacity,” said Dean Schroeck. “We will build on our school's momentum under Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum and continue to provide our students an exceptional legal education rooted in our mission and traditions.”  

Dean Schroeck is a sought-after environmental law expert. His research focuses on reducing air and water pollution, working towards environmental justice, promoting mass transportation, and advancing citizen suit enforcement of our environmental laws. In addition to his role as Associate Dean overseeing the Detroit Mercy Law clinical and externship programs, he directs the environmental law clinic and teaches upper-level environmental law courses.  

“I am grateful that Dean Schroeck agreed to serve as the Interim Dean for the School of Law. I look forward to working with him, the faculty, and the staff to continue providing exceptional legal education to our students and serve the Detroit Metropolitan community,” said Pamela Zarkowski, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Detroit Mercy. 

“Dean Schroeck is an excellent choice to lead the law school during this time of transition.  He has been a valuable member of the law school leadership team for several years and will bring the same energy and vision he’s demonstrated as an Associate Dean to this new role,” said Dean Jefferson Exum. 

Before joining the faculty at Detroit Mercy Law, Dean Schroeck was Executive Director of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center. He has litigated cases for several prominent environmental advocacy organizations. He previously directed the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic at Wayne State University Law School. 

Dean Schroeck will succeed Dean Jefferson Exum, who served as Dean of the law school since 2021 and is moving into the deanship at St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, New York.