SLU’s interim law dean says he’s done, ‘too politically incorrect ‘ for the job

ST. LOUISSt. Louis Universitys interim law school dean is stepping down, saying he made politically incorrect statements to faculty and was not a good fit for the position.

Tom Keefe, who took over the temporary post in August, said his inappropriate comments which included a remark about Indians and another comment perceived as sexual harassment were misinterpreted.

But he said he was not pressured to resign.

I have chosen to step down because obviously there have been statements made about things I have done, and in all likelihood Ive done them all, Keefe said in an interview Monday. The problem is Im just too politically incorrect to be a dean.

The university is close to naming a permanent law dean. University spokesman Clayton Berry said a search committee has selected two finalists.

Two people are being interviewed: Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court judge and now a law school faculty member, and Anthony A.J. Chivetta, a partner at the Armstrong Teasdale law firm.

Berry did not know when a new dean would be named, but he said the law school would be without an interim leader in the meantime.

Keefe, a trial lawyer, was an unconventional pick for the temporary post when he was named in August. He lacked any academic background.

He filled the position amid controversy. His appointment was announced the same day that the former dean, Annette Clark, abruptly stepped down citing disagreements with the university's president, the Rev. Lawrence Biondi.

Keefe had previously attracted headlines for his colorful comments regarding his appointment.

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SLU's interim law dean says he's done, 'too politically incorrect ' for the job