William A. Chamberlain, an experienced professional in the area of law career placement, has been named dean of Law Career Services at DePaul University College of Law.  Chamberlain, who most recently served as assistant dean for career strategy and advancement at Northwestern University School of Law, will begin his tenure at DePaul June 29.

“Bill Chamberlain will be an excellent addition to the team of professionals who work with our students,” said Gregory Mark, dean of the College of Law. “He is a dedicated professional with a sophisticated understanding of the markets for legal services and, above all, is a person who wears his concern for the success of students on his sleeve.”

Chamberlain, 60, who  resides in Chicago’s Irving Park community, was selected to lead DePaul’s career services office following a national search. He brings to the job 15 years of experience helping to create career opportunities and providing direction to students at several law schools. His central responsibilities at DePaul will include outreach to public and private employers, student counseling  and strategic planning to enable the College of Law to best position itself as markets for law graduates change.

 Prior to leading career strategy and advancement at Northwestern, Chamberlain served in similar roles at the University of North Carolina School of Law and the John Marshall Law School. He also worked as a clinical professor of law at Northwestern, where he taught first-year students legal reasoning and writing. Chamberlain’s teaching experience includes working as an assistant instructor of English and speech and communication at the University of Texas at Austin.

As a practicing attorney, Chamberlain worked  as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago and as an associate at the law firm Schiff Hardin & Waite. He also worked as a law clerk for the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing in Chicago.

Outside the legal arena, Chamberlain has enjoyed a career as a professional opera and musical theater singer. He has performed more than 30 opera roles with companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Santa Fe Opera.

Chamberlain is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law and holds a master’s in American studies from Purdue University and a bachelor’s in American history from Cornell University.  He  also has completed work toward a doctorate degree in speech and English at the University of Texas. 

“Bill brings to us not just depth and breadth in his knowledge of the public and private legal markets in Chicago and nationally, but also his own working experience in the sectors any first-class law school can hope to serve,” said Mark. “What’s more, his understanding of the role of the office he will lead will give us the chance to make the student experience at DePaul seamless—a productive and positive experience from the moment of admission through the formative years of a career.”

Chamberlain is looking forward to the new challenges and experience at DePaul. “I am thrilled to be joining the law school’s senior administrative team, to be working with a strong career office staff, and, most importantly, to be assisting DePaul law students in achieving their goals and dreams in my role as both career counselor and teacher,” said Chamberlain.

About the College of Law

Established in 1912, the College of Law enrolled 1,031 students during the 2011-2012 academic year. Its research centers and institutes focus on issues such as public interest law, family law, international aviation law, dispute resolution, criminal defense and intellectual property law. Included among DePaul College of Law alumni are distinguished private practitioners and business people, state and federal judges, municipal, county and state leaders and two generations of Chicago mayors.