Statement says chancellor, Erwin Chemerinsky pledge to adhere to 'principle of academic freedom' in founding law school. IRVINE – UCI has rehired law professor Erwin Chemerinsky as the dean of its fledgling law school, after UCI Chancellor Michael Drake flew to North Carolina to meet with him over the weekend. Both men pledged in a statement that "Our new law school will be founded on the bedrock principle of academic freedom," in a Monday morning announcement about the hiring.