Dean Dan Filler to Lead Kline Law Through 2027-28, Then Return to Faculty

This message was shared with faculty and professional staff members in the Kline School of Law on October 27, 2026.

Dear Colleagues,

Dean Dan Filler has shared his decision not to seek another five-year term as dean of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law and to return to the faculty full time at the conclusion of his current term. Because this transition would have come at a pivotal point in Drexel’s Academic Transformation, the University asked Dean Filler to extend his term by one year, and he has graciously agreed. He will continue to lead Kline Law through the 2027-28 academic year, providing continuity and experienced leadership during a period of University-wide change and allowing time for a comprehensive search for the school’s next dean.

Dean Filler was one of Kline Law’s inaugural faculty members and has led the School since January 2017. Under his leadership, first as senior associate dean and then as dean, Kline Law has deepened its distinctive, practice-centered model; added an accelerated two-year JD, a Global JD, a Master of Laws (LLM), a Master of Legal Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Law; and opened the Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy in Center City.

Under Dean Filler’s leadership, Kline Law has come into its own. It has climbed roughly 50 places in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, reaching the highest ranking in its history, while its reputation among peer schools and the legal profession has grown steadily. Over the same period, applications have more than doubled and incoming classes have grown larger and stronger.

During this extension year, Dean Filler will continue to lead the School’s core academic, experiential and operational priorities.

We will launch a national search for the next dean early next academic year and will share the search committee’s membership and timeline in the months ahead. The committee will include Kline faculty, professional staff, students, alumni and members of the legal community.

Please join me in thanking Dean Filler for his continued leadership of Kline Law. We will have opportunities in the year ahead to recognize Dean Filler’s many contributions to Kline Law and to Drexel.
Sincerely,

Antonio Merlo, PhD
President 

Paul E. Jensen, PhD 
Executive Vice President 
Nina Henderson Provost