Sarah C. Zearfoss is senior assistant dean at the University of Michigan Law School, where she directs all aspects of JD and LLM admissions and supervises the Office of Financial Aid.

Dean Zearfoss earned a BA in psychology, cum laude, from Bryn Mawr College and a JD, magna cum laude, from Michigan Law. In law school, she served as editor-in-chief of the Michigan Journal of International Law and authored a note on international women's rights, for which she received the Eric Stein Award. She was also the recipient of the Henry M. Bates Memorial Scholarship and the Robert S. Feldman Labor Law Award, and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Following graduation, she clerked for the Hon. James L. Ryan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and worked as a litigation associate in the Detroit office of Pepper Hamilton LLP. Dean Z returned to the Law School in 1999 in the capacity of judicial clerkship adviser, before heading the Admissions Office in 2001. 

Related information

Education

  • Bryn Mawr College, BA, cum laude, psychology
  • University of Michigan Law School, JD, magna cum laude, Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Journal of International Law, Order of the Coif, Eric Stein Award, Henry M. Bates Memorial Scholarship, Robert S. Feldman Labor Law Award

Clerkships

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Hon. James L. Ryan

Activities

2006–present

Truman Scholar Finalists Selection Committee

2019–2021

Member, LSAC Schools and Candidates Committee

2019

Panelist, "Building a Diverse Class: Public Schools," LSAC Annual Meeting

2020

Presenter, “Crafting Your Narrative Beyond Your Personal Statement,” SEO Catalyst Scholars

2020

Presenter, College Scholars Program, Council on Legal Education Opportunity

2021

Presenter, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America Scholars Law School Summit

2021–present

Annual presenter, “Sum of the Parts: Compiling Your Resume & Letters of Recommendation,” SEO Catalyst Scholars

2021, 2022

Panelist, Deans’ Panel, Native Pathway to Law

2022

Panelist, "Hot Topics!," LSAC Annual Meeting

2022

Co-teacher (with Professor Sam Erman), Law School Admissions in a Post-Affirmative Action World 

2022–present

Member, LSAC Advisory Committee 

2022-2023

Inaugural Chair, RISE Alliance Advisory Counsel 

2022-2023

Member, LSAC Future of Admissions Work Group

2023

Presenter, Race Neutral Admissions, Association of Vermont Independent Colleges

2023

Panelist, "Wicked Problems: Affirmative Action", Aspen Ideas Festival

2023

Panelist,  "What New Supervisors Need to Know," LSAC Annual Meeting

2023-2026

Trustee (elected), LSAC Board of Trustees