‘I Like To Build Bridges’ Returning to Chapman as Fowler Law dean, Matt Parlow shows he’s practiced at developing partnerships that expand the school’s influence. Returning to Chapman as Fowler Law dean, Matt Parlow shows he’s practiced at developing partnerships that expand the school’s influence.

An old land-use map. A framed poster of Cesar Chavez signed by the activist’s widow. A shelf lined with bobbleheads of all the Milwaukee Brewers’ racing sausages. And a portrait of Sir Thomas More, the lawyer martyred by Henry VIII.

Yes, eclectic would be the right word to describe the artwork and mementoes decorating the office of Matthew Parlow, the new dean of the Dale E. Fowler School of Law at Chapman University. It’s “just fun, conversational stuff,” as Parlow describes it. But conversations are not to be underestimated, in Parlow’s view.

“I oftentimes will say, ‘let’s noodle on that. Let’s talk through.’ I like to connect with people and I like to build bridges,” says Parlow, who began as Fowler dean in July, succeeding Tom Campbell, who had served in the role since February 2011.

Parlow looks forward to employing an expansive leadership style as he focuses on the school’s direction in the next several years. Stop by his office for a chat – everything there has a story, from Parlow’s admiration for More to his interest in landuse law and sports law. And he’ll happily strike up a conversation about his goals for Fowler: continuing to enhance the school’s practice-ready curriculum, expanding community partnerships, building interdisciplinary programs and telling the world what the law school has achieved in the 21 years since its founding. That last one he emphasizes with a smile and open arms.

“Our alumni are doing incredible things. Our faculty and students are doing great things, and I think we need to tell that story,” he says.

Although the Yale Law School graduate comes to Fowler from Marquette University Law School, where he was associate dean for academic affairs, Parlow is no stranger to Chapman. The Los Angeles native served on the law faculty from 2005 to 2008. Now he can’t imagine a better time for a homecoming.

“Fowler Law is ahead of the curve on practice-ready education. We’re doing impactful things in the community through our clinics, and I think we have a great success story to tell. So to be able to come back to a community that you care about, that has done great things and has the potential to do even more was a really exciting opportunity,” he says.

A particular point of pride is the school’s skill at preparing students “to hit the ground running as lawyers.” More schools are trying to emulate that focus because law firms are increasingly throwing over the old model of training new lawyers in favor of practiceready hires, Parlow says.

“It was something that was not as in vogue as it is now, but it’s always been at the core of who we are and what we do. Part of our goal is to continue to be ahead of the curve on that,” he says.

Add to that an outstanding bar passage rate and a bit of heart, and you have a unique place, Parlow says.

“Some prefer a school that’s bigger and a little more anonymous. But we’re a very personalized place. That’s a Chapman hallmark, that’s a Fowler hallmark. It’s part of what differentiates us,” he says. “And I think that’s why we attract special people, in terms of faculty, staff and administration, but in particular, the students.”