Five McGeorge professors awarded tenure in 2026

Rachel Van Cleave joined the faculty at McGeorge School of Law as a Visiting Professor of Law in 2024 before joining the full-time faculty in 2026. Van Cleave teaches Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Global Lawyering Skills I. Previously, she taught at Golden Gate University School of Law (GGU), where she designed and taught innovative courses such as Reimagining Criminal Justice, Comparative #MeToo, Rebellious Lawyering, and Katrina and Disaster Law. At GGU Law, she served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and later as GGU Law’s dean. 

In 1995, Van Cleave received a J. William Fulbright Scholarship to engage in research at Italy’s Constitutional Court on Italy’s adoption of plea bargaining, which was somewhat modeled on the U.S. practice. She has continued to engage in comparative criminal justice scholarships, particularly as to gender-based violence. In 2020, she received another J. William Fulbright Scholarship to engage in research at Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassazione. 

“I am delighted to make McGeorge my new professional home,” Van Cleave said. “I have enjoyed being a part of the community as a visitor for the last two years and look forward to continuing as a tenured faculty member. I have taught at a number of law schools, at two of which I had tenure, and have found the faculty, staff, and students at McGeorge to be welcoming, kind, and supportive.” 

Van Cleave received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, a JD degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and a JSM degree from Stanford University School of Law.