Erwin Chemerinsky, the University of California at Irvine law-school dean whom the institution’s chancellor hired, fired, and then re-hired, is bringing a top-tier faculty to the fledgling law school.

Michael V. Drake, the Irvine institution’s chancellor, fired Mr. Chemerinsky shortly after hiring him away from Duke University. Some said the chancellor had reacted to pressure from conservative academics who found the constitutional-law scholar too liberal.

Mr. Drake later rehired the scholar, admitting that his actions had caused a “hiccup” in their relationship. Some Irvine professors, and observers at law schools elsewhere, thought the process would hinder Mr. Chemerinsky’s ability to attract a strong faculty.

The first law-school class is scheduled to enter in September 2009. —Heidi Landecker