Team
Get to know the amazing people who make CLGD tick. They’re not just experts—they’re passionate problem-solvers, creative thinkers, and dedicated researchers. Dive into the stories behind the faces shaping our groundbreaking work.
H.E Haris Othman
Hon’ble Advisor, CLGD
H. E. Haris Othman is a seasoned government professional with a remarkable three-decade career in public service. Following his retirement in December 2017, he was subsequently appointed as the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in May 2019. This transition reflects his unwavering dedication to serving his country and utilizing his extensive experience in a diplomatic capacity.
Throughout a three-decade career, he displayed exceptional versatility and unwavering dedication by serving in several key ministries and government departments. These include the Public Service Department, Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Administration and Services, Ministry of Education, Attorney General’s Office, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Tutong District Office, Brunei Muara District Office; Temburong District Office; and Belait District Office. This diverse experience allowed him to specialize in policy development, program management, and budgeting while maintaining a strong commitment to public service.
Throughout his career, he consistently demonstrated his expertise in public administration, policy analysis, and effective and efficient leadership. He led and contributed to projects aimed at improving government services and addressing community needs, skillfully managing budgets, resources, and personnel to ensure the efficient operation of government programs.
His collaborative approach allowed him to adapt and excel in diverse government environments. He worked closely with government officials, stakeholders, and local communities to tackle complex cross-cutting issues and challenges and achieve strategic goals.
He significantly impacted public and government management, earning respect for his understanding of public administration and policy development. His engagement with diverse stakeholders, leadership roles in various committees, and commitment to continuous learning and development enriched his knowledge and skills.
His appointment as the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Dhaka, Bangladesh, further showcases his dedication to serving his country. With extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, leadership and management, conflict resolution, program management, strategic planning, continuous learning, and multidisciplinary expertise, he is well-equipped to enhance bilateral relations between Brunei and Bangladesh.
H.E. Haris Othman’s distinguished career reflects unwavering dedication, leadership, and expertise in public administration and management, with lasting positive impacts on Brunei’s public service legacy. His transition to diplomatic service underscores his commitment to continue serving his country on the international stage.
Senior Staff
Contacts:
Harriet Erickson
Vice President, Student Affairs
Wesley Clark was named Senior Advisor to the President in May 2018. An expert in corporate law, he teaches a wide range of courses including Contracts, Sales, Closely Held Business Organizations, Publicly Traded Corporations, Mergers & Acquisitions, International Law and International Securities Regulation.
Contacts:
Wesley Clarke
Senior Advisor to the President
Betty Bowman joined the faculty in 2002, and received tenure there in 2007. Before joining the faculty, she was a visiting assistant professor at Syracuse University College of Law. Prior to that, she was a legal consultant with JPMorgan Chase; a contract attorney for Cravath, Swaine & Moore; and an assistant prosecutor for the Ministry of the Attorney General in Toronto, Canada.
Contacts:
Betty Bowman
Acting Vice President for Finance
With over four decades of law teaching experience, Johnny Jones is a nationally-recognized constitutionalist who has received numerous awards for his teaching, including the first-ever Pioneer Award for his commitment and dedication to students from the FIU Student Bar Association in 2004. Since then, students have voted him “Professor of the Year” multiple times.
Contacts:
Johnny Jones
Dean, Diversity and Compliance
Dennis Ruiz was a member of the faculty at Texas Tech University School of Law, where she held the Alvin R. Allison Distinguished Professorship and received every teaching award the law school and the University conferred. She was the Distinguished Fulbright Professor of American Constitutional Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Greece in 1992.
Contacts:
Dennis Ruiz
Acting Vice President of Administration
Vernon Lowe first joined the University in 2006 as Assistant Dean for Academic Support Programs. He served as Assistant Dean until 2013, when he became a full time lecturer at the College. He teaches classes relating to legal theory and reasoning, race and law, gender and law, and in the area of commercial transactions.
Contacts:
Vernon Lowe
Assistant Vice President for Communications
Contacts:
Harriet Erickson
Vice President, Student Affairs
Wesley Clark was named Senior Advisor to the President in May 2018. An expert in corporate law, he teaches a wide range of courses including Contracts, Sales, Closely Held Business Organizations, Publicly Traded Corporations, Mergers & Acquisitions, International Law and International Securities Regulation.
Contacts:
Wesley Clarke
Senior Advisor to the President
Betty Bowman joined the faculty in 2002, and received tenure there in 2007. Before joining the faculty, she was a visiting assistant professor at Syracuse University College of Law. Prior to that, she was a legal consultant with JPMorgan Chase; a contract attorney for Cravath, Swaine & Moore; and an assistant prosecutor for the Ministry of the Attorney General in Toronto, Canada.
Contacts:
Betty Bowman
Acting Vice President for Finance
With over four decades of law teaching experience, Johnny Jones is a nationally-recognized constitutionalist who has received numerous awards for his teaching, including the first-ever Pioneer Award for his commitment and dedication to students from the FIU Student Bar Association in 2004. Since then, students have voted him “Professor of the Year” multiple times.
Contacts:
Johnny Jones
Dean, Diversity and Compliance
Dennis Ruiz was a member of the faculty at Texas Tech University School of Law, where she held the Alvin R. Allison Distinguished Professorship and received every teaching award the law school and the University conferred. She was the Distinguished Fulbright Professor of American Constitutional Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Greece in 1992.
Contacts:
Dennis Ruiz
Acting Vice President of Administration
Vernon Lowe first joined the University in 2006 as Assistant Dean for Academic Support Programs. He served as Assistant Dean until 2013, when he became a full time lecturer at the College. He teaches classes relating to legal theory and reasoning, race and law, gender and law, and in the area of commercial transactions.
Contacts:
Vernon Lowe
Assistant Vice President for Communications