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 LawReady Advisory Committee 

    2022-2023

    Inaugural Chair, RISE Alliance Advisory Council

    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

    2023

    Speaker, The Future of Standardized Tests in Law School Admission