Karen Sneddon

Karen Sneddon serves as Dean of Mercer University School of Law, appointed permanently on May 31, 2023, after acting as interim dean since October 1, 2021. She holds the position of Professor of Law at Mercer, where she has been a faculty member since 2006, previously serving as associate dean for faculty research and development.

Her academic credentials include summa cum laude degrees from Louisiana State University and Tulane Law School. Prior to Mercer, she was a Forrester Fellow at Tulane Law School and held visiting positions at the William S. Boyd School of Law (UNLV) and ELTE Law in Budapest.

Dean Sneddon's research centers on legal writing pedagogy, trusts and estates, succession law, and narrative theory in legal contexts. Her scholarship bridges doctrinal law with communication studies, emphasizing how storytelling shapes legal interpretation and transactional practice. She has pioneered approaches to legal education through textbooks and practical guides.

Her recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on narrative techniques in estate planning and transactional law, with recurring themes of gender inclusivity and reader engagement in legal writing. This work culminated in the Teresa G. Phelps Award recognition for advancing legal communication scholarship.

She has received the following scientific award:

• 2020 Teresa G. Phelps Scholarship Award for Legal Communication

Dean Sneddon maintains active leadership in professional organizations including the Legal Writing Institute, Association of Legal Writing Directors, and Southeastern Association of Law Schools, where she contributes to national standards in legal education. Her ongoing 'Writing Matters' column in the Georgia Bar Journal since 2008 demonstrates sustained commitment to practitioner education.