The University of Miami has announced that Patricia Sánchez Abril, J.D., has been appointed as the new dean for the School of Law.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the School of Law’s next dean. This law school is full of promise and opportunity,” Abril said in a statement to The Hurricane.
Abril has served the University of Miami for over 21 years. Throughout her time she served as a professor, vice dean of Graduate Business Education, associate and interim dean of the University of Miami’s Graduate School, and interim dean of the School of Law.
She has served as Interim Dean of the School of Law since April of 2024, and is officially dean effective as of Feb. 18, 2026.
According to the email announcement from UM President Joseph Echevarria, as interim dean, Abril advanced academic priorities and promoted student success. She did this by working closely with faculty, staff, students and alumni, creating a collaborative community.
Considering her time not only at the School of Law, but at the University as a whole, she feels it will be easy to start making an impact.
“Since I have been at the School of Law as interim dean for about two years, I have gotten to know this community well, so we are ready to hit the ground running,” Abril said.
Echeveria also notes that as dean, Abril will lead the School of Law’s academic mission and external engagement and focus on faculty excellence, learning objectives, and enhancing the school’s national profile.
In her statement, Abril echoed just that.
“My focus has always been on the students. I have taught and mentored decades of students at this University and am ready to do that here on a larger scale,” Abril said. “We will ensure that every student that graduates from the School of Law is exceptionally trained, intellectually agile, and ready to succeed in an ever-changing legal market.”