Belmont University's new College of Law announced today the establishment of the Doyle Rogers Distinguished Chair of Law and said it will be filled by former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Judge Gonzales will be the only former U.S. Attorney General teaching full time in legal education and will begin his position at Belmont on Jan. 2, 2012.

“The insight and experience Alberto Gonzales acquired while serving as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, Counsel to the President, Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas and Texas Secretary of State, will be immeasurable resources for our students and faculty,” said Jeff Kinsler, the College of Law's founding dean.

After attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, Gonzales graduated from Rice University (B.A.) and Harvard University (J.D.). He was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 80th Attorney General in early 2005 and served in that capacity until September 2007. Previously, he was a partner at Houston law firm Vinson & Elkins, a justice on the Supreme Court of Texas, the secretary of state of Texas and counsel to President Bush from 2001 to 2005. Gonzales currently serves as a visiting professor and minority/veteran recruitment consultant at Texas Tech University.

“I am honored to be named as the Doyle Rogers Distinguished Chair of Law, created in honor of an outstanding lawyer and extraordinary human being. I welcome the opportunity to be associated with the Belmont College of Law, and I look forward to working with an outstanding charter faculty to develop tomorrow's leaders in the bar, the Nashville community and beyond," Gonzales said.

Among his many professional associations, Gonzales has served as a member of the American Law Institute, the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and otherwise improve the law. He has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University and received the Harvard Law School Association Award as well as the Central Intelligence Agency’s Director’s Award and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. His work in the Hispanic community and his achievements as a role model have also earned him recognition as Hispanic American of the Year by HISPANIC Magazine and one of The 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America by TIME Magazine.