Inaugural dean will lead development of GCU's 12^th college with an emphasis
on legal excellence, Christian faith and service

PHOENIX, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For James L. Williams, the practice of law has never been separate from his Christian faith. It is a calling – an opportunity to pursue justice, serve others and use his professional gifts for a greater purpose.

That conviction will now shape the development of Grand Canyon University's new College of Law.

GCU has named Williams, an accomplished Phoenix attorney and longtime Christian leader, as the inaugural dean of the College of Law. He will lead the development of a law school that combines rigorous legal education with a distinctly Christian worldview, preparing students to practice law at the highest level while viewing their profession as a calling to serve others, pursue justice and positively impact their communities.

"We are grateful James answered the calling to serve as the inaugural dean of the College of Law," said GCU President Brian Mueller. "There are many accomplished attorneys who understand the law. What makes James uniquely suited for this role is the way he brings together legal excellence, a passion for teaching and mentoring, and a deeply rooted Christian faith."

"We are not simply building another law school. We have an opportunity to rethink what legal education can look like when academic excellence, Christian worldview principles and free market thinking are joined with a strong sense of purpose. We want to develop attorneys who pursue truth and justice, serve others with integrity and understand the tremendous responsibility that comes with the influence they will have in their communities. James understands that vision because he has lived it throughout his career."

Williams, a graduate of the Baylor University School of Law, is an attorney and shareholder with Phoenix law firm Schmitt Schneck Even & Williams and President of the Phoenix chapter of the Christian Legal Society, for which he has also served as board member for the last decade. He said the opportunity to build a law school from the ground up – and Mueller's vision to create something that is "not simply another law school" – drew him to the position.

"Starting from the ground up gives us the opportunity to be very intentional about the kind of law school we want to become and, more importantly, the kind of lawyers we want to develop," Williams said. "GCU students will be challenged academically, prepared professionally and encouraged to think deeply about the purpose of their work and the responsibility they have to serve others. I am confident this is a work God has begun in and through GCU, and that He will be faithful to complete it."

Willams' appointment marks another significant step in GCU's plans to establish its 12th college and expand educational opportunities in a profession that plays a critical role in Arizona and throughout the nation.

The College of Law could welcome its first class as early as fall 2027, subject to required regulatory approvals. GCU is pursuing the necessary approvals through the Supreme Court of Arizona, Higher Learning Commission and Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education, and then will seek accreditation through the American Bar Association, a separate multiyear process.

If authorized by the Supreme Court of Arizona, graduates of GCU's College of Law who meet applicable requirements would be eligible to seek admission to practice law in Arizona. Upon ultimately achieving ABA accreditation, GCU would become the third ABA-accredited law school in Arizona, joining Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

Williams has practiced law in Arizona for 18 years and brings extensive experience mentoring and developing attorneys. He also has worked directly with law students for years through Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law competition mock trial program, where he helped coach and prepare students for the demands of legal practice.

One of those students was Justin Larson, who participated in the ASU Law mock trial program from 2017-19 and now serves as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado.

"Despite being a volunteer position that James took on while managing his own successful law practice, I was immediately inspired by the tremendous amount of time, effort and passion he put into teaching us the art of practicing law and getting the program off the ground," Larson said. "Since that time, James has continued to serve as an indispensable mentor and friend to me and many other young lawyers, and I owe a great deal of my success to his thoughtful guidance. To my mind, James is an obvious choice for this position, and words cannot convey how happy I am to know that James will continue to play a pivotal role in training future generations of young lawyers."

Williams' commitment to integrating faith with the practice of law extends well beyond his professional career. In addition to leading the Phoenix Christian Legal Society, Williams serves as an elder and worship leader at New City Church in Phoenix.

Those experiences have reinforced his belief that Christian attorneys have an important role to play in a profession built around questions of truth, justice and the rule of law.

"The law touches virtually every part of our society, which means attorneys have an extraordinary opportunity – and responsibility – to influence the culture around them," Williams said. "My hope is that GCU will develop lawyers who are exceptional advocates and legal thinkers, but also men and women of courage, humility, integrity and faith who understand that their profession is ultimately about serving people. If we can send graduates into courtrooms, businesses, government agencies and communities with that mindset, the impact can extend far beyond the practice of law. That is the kind of law school we intend to build."

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"I have been privileged and honored to practice law with James Williams for the past 18 years. James is a Godly man with great integrity and is an exceptionally skilled lawyer. He has willingly given of his time and knowledge to help other practicing lawyers as well as law students. In my opinion, GCU'S College of Law could not have picked a better person to be its first dean." – Mark Schmitt, Director, Schmitt Schneck Even & Williams, P.C.

"James is one of the smartest attorneys I know. He's not only great in the courtroom, but he is a loyal and trustworthy advocate for his clients. It's easy to spot an attorney who actually cares about his clients from one who doesn't. James will make an excellent dean and role model for future lawyers." – Sam Saks, Esq., Guidant Law Firm, and former President of Arizona State Bar

"The dean search was incredibly encouraging because of both the quality and depth of the candidate pool. We conducted a highly competitive national search that attracted accomplished Christian attorneys from private practice, higher education and other areas of the legal profession. James distinguished himself in an exceptionally strong field. He brings deep roots in the Phoenix legal community, the experience of helping lead a successful law firm, a passion for mentoring the next generation of attorneys and significant leadership through the Phoenix Christian Legal Society. Most importantly, he shares our vision for building a world-class College of Law that prepares exceptional attorneys and is firmly grounded in Christian faith and free-market principles." – Randy Gibb, GCU Provost

"As the Lead Pastor of New City Church, I have known James Williams for more than 10 years. During all of that time, he has faithfully served as a volunteer, providing leadership and a steady, selfless presence. He now also serves as an elder at the church. James is a man of deep integrity who gives generously of every part of his life. In fact, when our executive staff revised New City's values two years ago, James was one of the first people we thought of because he so consistently embodies every value we aspire to live out. I can think of no one better equipped to lead, serve, and represent an institution like GCU's new College of Law." – Pastor Brian Kruckenberg, Phoenix New City Church

"The legal profession is rapidly changing, and there will be an ever-increasing need for new law school grads to be able to hit the ground running, with the skills to outwit opposing counsel (and their latest AI tool) and be the most effective communicator in the courtroom. James Williams is uniquely equipped for this position. He has the vision, background and character (Baylor Law grad, mock trial competitor and coach, Christian Legal Society President, Chair of the State Bar Religious Liberty Law Section, church leader, and an 18-year practitioner with a stellar reputation in the legal community) to train the next generation of attorneys. I predict GCU will soon become one of the most sought after law schools in the country." – Lacy Cooper, Director, Schmitt Schneck Even & Williams, P.C.

"James Williams is not only an excellent lawyer, strong believer in Christ and a true family man and friend, he is also one of the best mentors and teachers I have ever known. As my mock trial coach and as my mentor while I was a law clerk, he stirred within me a passion for the practice of law and litigation. I have since practiced with him for eight years and have been so blessed by his mentorship and partnership in that journey. James is a man of purpose and vision. I believe, with James Williams as its dean, Grand Canyon University's College of Law will be set apart from other law schools. James knows what it takes to be an excellent lawyer and will ensure that the law students at Grand Canyon University are equipped to excel as practicing lawyers." – Esther Sivak, Director, Schmitt Schneck Even & Williams, P.C.

"James's integrity and passion has been my guiding light in litigation. He was my mock trial coach, my boss, and my mentor, but most importantly I am honored to call him a friend. Because of his mentorship, I am confident in my skills. James gives every project, every person in front of him 100% of his attention. I am excited to see where he takes GCU as Dean of its brand new law school." – Brittney Kay Walsh, former student

About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 400 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.

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SOURCE Grand Canyon University