University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Encyclopedia
Association of American Law Schools
The Association of American Law Schools is a non-profit organization of 170 law schools in the United States. Another 25 schools are "non-member fee paid" schools, which are not members but choose to pay AALS dues. Its purpose is to improve the legal profession through the improvement of legal...
in 1900. One of 17 schools constituting the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, the School of Law has roots as far back as 1843 when a law department at the university was founded despite the fact that the chief method of legal education in America was apprenticeship. The first four law degrees were conferred in 1847.
Classes were held in a stone building at Third Street until the building was destroyed in the fire of 1845 and were then held in the university's building on Duquesne Way until that building was burned in 1849. Classes were continued after the second fire in the basement of the Third Presbyterian Church until the universities first law professor, Walter H. Lowrie
Walter H. Lowrie
Water Hoge Lowrie was a Pennsylvania jurist.He was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, son of Walter Lowrie, and nephew of Senator Walter Lowrie. He became a lawyer, serving as a district judge in Pennsylvania from 1846 to 1851...
, was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the court of last resort for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It meets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-History:...
in 1851 and forced him to abandon his teaching at the school. This, along with the fires that destroyed many of the university's facilities and resources, disrupted the development of the School of Law.
Although various attempts were made to reestablish law instruction beginning in 1862, a permanent law school was not established until 1895. The university at that time was named the Western University of Pennsylvania, but despite this, the law school was originally named the Pittsburgh Law School, a name it held until 1918.
The first classes in the permanently established school were conducted in the orphans' court rooms in the old Allegheny County courthouse. In 1897, the school moved into the old university building at Ross and Diamond streets that had been sold to the county in 1882. The school moved again in 1919-20 to the tenth floor of the Chamber of Commerce building. In 1936 the School of Law moved in its entirety to the 14-16 floors of the Cathedral of Learning
Cathedral of Learning
The Cathedral of Learning, a Pittsburgh landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
on the main campus of the university located in the Oakland
Oakland (Pittsburgh)
Oakland is the academic, cultural, and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania's third largest "Downtown". Only Center City Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh can claim more economic and social activity than Oakland...
neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The School of Law moved into their own dedicated facility, the Barco Law Building
Barco Law Building
Barco Law Building is an academic building housing the University of Pittsburgh School of Law on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The $8.5 million six-story building was opened in January 1976 and dedicated on May 1, 1976...
, upon its opening on the university's main campus in 1976.
Today, Pitt's Law School faculty has been ranked 21st in the nation based on a standard objective measure of scholarly impact.http://www.leiterrankings.com/faculty/2007faculty_impact.shtml Pitt Law is currently ranked 71st out of 184 in US News and World Report's rankings of America's top law schools and is listed among the "Best Law Schools" by The Princeton Review. Pitt Law is also one of 80 law schools with membership in the Order of the Coif
Order of the Coif
The Order of the Coif is an honor society for United States law school graduates. A student at an American law school who earns a Juris Doctor degree and graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her class is eligible for membership if the student's law school has a chapter of the...
.
Academics
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law offers four degrees. The J.D. (Juris Doctor) is the required degree to practice law in most of the United States, thus J.D. students make up most of the school's student body. The following degrees are offered by Pitt Law:- M.S.L. - Master of Studies in LawMaster of Studies in LawA Master of Studies in Law is a master's degree offered by some law schools to students who wish to study the law but do not want to become attorneys. M.S.L. programs typically last one academic year and put students through the same regimen as a first-year J.D. student. M.S.L...
(designed for individuals wanting to expand their knowledge of the law, but not intending to practice law) - J.D. - Juris DoctorJuris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(primary law degree) - LL.M. - Master of LawsMaster of LawsThe Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
(international students) - J.S.D. - Doctor of Juridical ScienceDoctor of Juridical ScienceDoctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of the Science of Law, Scientiae Juridicae Doctor , abbreviated J.S.D. or S.J.D., is a research doctorate in law and equivalent to the PhD It is offered primarily in the United States, where it originated, and in Canada...
(a doctoral degree designed for lawyers seeking academic appointments)
In addition, the School of Law offers joint degrees with several other programs within the university, and the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
The Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education is a consortium of colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh metro area. The organization exists to allow the schools and their students to take advantage of each others resources and to facilitate sharing them....
.
- JD/MPA, Law and Urban and Public Administration (GSPIA)
- JD/MPIA, Law and International Affairs (GSPIA)
- JD/MID, Law and International Development (GSPIA)
- JD/MBA, Law and Business Administration (Katz)
- JD/MPH, Law and Public Health (GSPH)
- JD/MA, Law and Bioethics (GSPH)
- JD/MBA, Law and Business Administration (Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of BusinessTepper School of BusinessThe Tepper School of Business is a private business school located on Carnegie Mellon University’s campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.The school consistently ranks highly among the top business schools in the U.S., as well as in a wide range of specializations, such as finance,...
) - JD/MS, Law and Public Policy and Management (Carnegie Mellon Heinz College)
- JD/MAM, Law and Arts Management (Carnegie Mellon Heinz College)
Academic programs
- The John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate Program
- Environmental Law, Science and Policy
- Health Law
- Intellectual Property and Technology Law
- International and Comparative Law
- Disability Studies
- Law and Entrepreneurship
- Washington, D.C. Externship Program
Pitt Law Center for International Legal Education
Pitt Law offers area studies in the following international legal systems:- Asian Studies
- Global Studies
- Latin American Studies
- Russia and Eastern European Studies
- Western European Studies
These area studies serve to supplement the study of International Law, in addition to providing Pitt Law students with the opportunity to pursue careers abroad.
Admissions
Admissions to the University of Pittsburgh School of Law are selective, with slightly less than 30% acceptance rate. The median LSAT range for the class of 2011 was 158-161, and a median GPA range of 3.2-3.65.Admissions are conducted on a rolling basis.
Rankings and Honors
- Pitt Law is ranked 71st out of 184 law schools by US News and World Report
- Pitt Law is ranked 63rd by the Law School 100
- Pitt's Health Law program is ranked 13th by USN&WR
- Pitt's Intellectual Property program is ranked 28th by USN&WR
- Pitt's faculty is ranked 21st in terms of scholarly impact by the Princeton Review
- One of only 80 law schools to be a member of Order of the CoifOrder of the CoifThe Order of the Coif is an honor society for United States law school graduates. A student at an American law school who earns a Juris Doctor degree and graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her class is eligible for membership if the student's law school has a chapter of the...
Life after Pitt Law
Pitt Law boasts a strong nationwide alumni network, affording strong career prospects for its graduates. 98% of Pitt law grads are employed within 9 months of graduation, with an average private sector salary of $95,000.Pitt law grads find employment in numerous fields:
- 55% in private practice (12% in NLJ250 Firms)
- 11% in judicial clerkships
- 4% in academia
- 17% in business
- 8% in government
- 5% in public interest
Clinical programs
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law has several clinical programsLegal clinic
The phrase legal clinic may refer to any private, nonprofit law practice serving the public interest. In the academic context, these law school clinics provide hands-on experience to law school students and services to various clients. Academic Clinics are usually directed by clinical professors...
, which allow law students to gain practical experience as lawyers before graduating from law school. The following clinics are currently offered by the School of Law:
- Tax Clinic
- Family Law Clinic
- Environmental Law Clinic
- Community and Economic Development Clinic
- Health Law Clinic
- Elder Law Clinic
- Immigration Law Clinic
Journals
Pitt Law is home to several student-edited legal journals, including the Pittsburgh Law Review, which is one of the 40 most-cited law reviews in the country, according to Chicago-Kent Law Review's 1996 Faculty Scholarship Survey http://lawreview.kentlaw.edu/. The following journals are all publications of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.- University of Pittsburgh Law ReviewUniversity of Pittsburgh Law ReviewThe University of Pittsburgh Law Review is a journal of legal scholarship published by an independent student group at University of Pittsburgh School of Law. The Review is published quarterly, with recent issues available online. It is one of the 40 most-cited law reviews in the country.The...
- Journal of Law and CommerceJournal of Law and CommerceThe Journal of Law and Commerce is a law review published by an independent student group at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, focusing on domestic and international commercial and business law. The journal is published biannually, with recent issues available online. Its Bluebook...
- Pittsburgh Tax ReviewPittsburgh Tax ReviewThe Pittsburgh Tax Review is a journal of legal scholarship published by an independent student group at University of Pittsburgh School of Law. The publication focusing on tax law and legislation. The Review is published semi-annually, with recent issues available online....
- Pittsburgh Journal of Technology Law & Policy
- Pittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health LawPittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health LawThe Pittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health Law is a journal of legal scholarship published by an independent student group at University of Pittsburgh School of Law, focusing on environmental law and public health. The journal was founded in 2006 and is published annually, with past...
JURIST
JURISTJURIST
JURIST is an online legal news service hosted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, powered by a staff of more than 40 law students working in Pittsburgh and other US locations under the direction of founding Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Professor Bernard Hibbitts, Research Director Jaclyn...
is the world's only law school-based comprehensive legal news and research service. Its professionally-trained staff of law faculty and law students report and research the latest legal developments in real time for members of the legal community and the public at large. JURIST covers legal news stories based on their substantive importance rather than on their mass-market or commercial appeal.
Student organizations
- The Student Bar AssociationStudent Bar AssociationStudent bar associations are student organizations that exist at many laws schools in the United States. Student bar associations take their name from bar associations, which are professional bodies of lawyers....
- American Civil Liberties Union Club
- American Constitution Society
- American Trial Lawyer's Association
- Appellate Moot Court Board
- Asian Law Students Association
- Business and Corporate Law Association
- National Black Law Students AssociationNational Black Law Students AssociationThe National Black Law Students Association , founded in 1968, is a nationwide organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of black law students and effectuates change in the legal community...
- Christian Legal Society
- Delta Theta PhiDelta Theta PhiDelta Theta Phi is a professional law fraternity and a member of the Professional Fraternity Association. The smallest of the three internationally recognized law fraternities , Delta Theta Phi is the only one of the three major law fraternities to charter chapters in the United States at...
- Environmental Law Council
- Federalist SocietyFederalist SocietyThe Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, most frequently called simply the Federalist Society, is an organization of conservatives seeking reform of the current American legal system in accordance with a textualist and/or originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution...
- Feminist Law Forum
- Health Law Society
- Hispanic Law Society
- Interfaith Legal Council
- International Law Society
- Italian-American Law Students Association
- Jewish Law Students Association
- JURIST Student Staff Association
- Legions of the New Imperium
- Mediators Without Borders
- Muslim Law Students Association
- National Lawyers GuildNational Lawyers GuildThe National Lawyers Guild is an advocacy group in the United States "dedicated to the need for basic and progressive change in the structure of our political and economic system . ....
- OUTlaw
- Phi Alpha DeltaPhi Alpha DeltaΦAΔ , or P.A.D., is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States of America. Phi Alpha Delta has members who are university students, law school students, lawyers, judges, senators, and even presidents. It was founded in 1902 and today has over 300,000 initiated members...
- Pitt Law Democrats
- Pitt Law Libertarians
- Pitt Law Republicans
- Pitt Law Student Hurricane Network
- Pitt Law Moms and Dads
- Pitt Law Women's Association
- The Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation
- Sports and Entertainment Law Society
- Student Intellectual Property Law Association
- Veteran's Legal Society
Facilities
- Barco Law BuildingBarco Law BuildingBarco Law Building is an academic building housing the University of Pittsburgh School of Law on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The $8.5 million six-story building was opened in January 1976 and dedicated on May 1, 1976...
- Pitt Law School is housed in the six-story Barco Law Building on Forbes Avenue, located on the main campus of the University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghThe University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
.
- Barco Law Library - The Law Library is housed on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the Barco Law Building. The library was renovated in 2004 http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/lawschools/2004_08_08_indexarch.htm, and the current collection numbers some 450,000 volumes and volume equivalents and has a seating capacity, in both the individual carrels and in private reading areas, of over 400. In addition, located within several blocks of the Law Building are Hillman Library, Carnegie Library of PittsburghCarnegie Library of PittsburghThe Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is the public library system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its main branch is located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and it has 19 branch locations throughout the city...
, and several special libraries of the University, including the business, medical, and public and international affairs libraries.
- Teplitz Memorial Moot Courtroom - Located on the ground floor, the moot courtroom, named for the late Benjamin H. Teplitz, includes a seven-seat judges' bench, jury and press boxes, counselors' tables, judges' chambers, and a jury room. It is used primarily by trial tactics classes and by the growing number of moot court programs. It is equipped to handle special sessions of the Commonwealth and Federal Appellate Courts and hearings before various administrative tribunals.
- Cathedral of LearningCathedral of LearningThe Cathedral of Learning, a Pittsburgh landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
– The tallest academic building in the United States, and the second tallest in the world, the Cathedral of Learning is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh. Before the construction of the Barco Law Building, the law school was located in the Cathedral. Inside the neo-Gothic structure is a large foyer conducive to study, and several stories of office buildings and classrooms. It is also home to the Nationality Rooms which celebrates the world's cultures by designing classrooms based on architecture of various regions and cultures around the globe. - Other design features of the Law Building include a pedestrian bridge connecting the School of Law with Litchfield Towers dormitories, Lawrence Hall, and Wesley W. Posvar HallWesley W. Posvar HallWesley W. Posvar Hall , formerly known as Forbes Quadrangle, is a landmark building on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. At it is the largest academic-use building on campus, providing administrative offices, classrooms, lecture halls, a food...
.
Notable alumni
- David A. ReedDavid A. ReedDavid Aiken Reed was an American lawyer and Republican party politician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate....
- (1903) - U.S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
(1922–1935) - William CorbettWilliam Corbett (politician)William T. Corbett was an United States Department of the Interior attorney who served as Secretary of Guam under Ford Quint Elvidge, and later acting Governor of Guam from May 19, 1956 to October 2, 1956. He was the brother of Representative Robert J. Corbett...
- 2nd Secretary of GuamSecretary of GuamThe Secretary of Guam was the equivalent of the Lieutenant Governor of Guam when the Governorship was still appointed by the President of the United States...
(1953–1956) and the 3rd Civilian Governor of Guam (1956) - James H. DuffJames H. DuffJames Henderson Duff was an American lawyer and politician in the mid-20th century. He served as the 34th Governor of Pennsylvania and U.S...
- (1907) - Pennsylvania Governor (1947–1951), U.S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
(1951–1957) - Joseph H. ThompsonJoseph H. ThompsonJoseph "Colonel Joe" Henry Thompson was a highly decorated World War I veteran, recipient of the Medal of Honor, lawyer, Pennsylvania state legislator, head football coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, and College Football Hall of Fame inductee....
(1908) - Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
Recipient, College Football Hall of Fame player and coach, Pennsylvania State SenatorPennsylvania State SenateThe Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
(1913–16) - Harmar D. Denny, Jr.Harmar D. Denny, Jr.Lieutenant Colonel Harmar Denny Denny, Jr. was a pilot and Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:...
- (1911) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(1951–1953) - Harry Allison EstepHarry Allison EstepHarry Allison Estep was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Harry A. Estep was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools in Marion, Indiana, and Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh...
- (1913) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(1927–1933) - Homer S. Brown - (1923) - Judge, civil and political rights activist, elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1934–1950)
- James A. WrightJames A. WrightJames Assion Wright was an American lawyer from Pennsylvania who served in the U.S. Congress from 1941 to 1945.-Biography:...
- (1927) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(1941–1945) - Earl ChudoffEarl ChudoffEarl Chudoff was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:Earl Chudoff was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in economics in 1929 and from the University of Pittsburgh School of...
- (1932) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(1949–1958) - George D. Lockhart - (1935) - Founder of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP, K&L Gates
- Derrick BellDerrick BellDerrick Albert Bell, Jr. was the first tenured African-American professor of Law at Harvard University, and largely credited as the originator of Critical Race Theory. He was the former dean of the University of Oregon School of Law.- Education and early career :Born in the Hill District of...
- (1957) - First tenured black professor at Harvard Law SchoolHarvard Law SchoolHarvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S... - Dick ThornburghDick ThornburghRichard Lewis "Dick" Thornburgh is an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the 41st Governor of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1987, and then as the U.S...
- (1957) - Pennsylvania Governor (1979–1987), U.S. Attorney GeneralUnited States Attorney GeneralThe United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
(1988–1991) - Orrin HatchOrrin HatchOrrin Grant Hatch is the senior United States Senator for Utah and is a member of the Republican Party. Hatch served as the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1993 to 2005...
- (1962) - U.S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
(1976–present) - Cyril WechtCyril WechtDr. Cyril Harrison Wecht is an American forensic pathologist. He has been a consultant in numerous high-profile cases, but is perhaps best known for his criticism of the Warren Commission's findings concerning the assassination of John F...
- (1962) - American forensic pathologist - Joseph "Chip" Yablonski - (1965) - Attorney, NFL Players Association; son of murdered labor leader Joseph YablonskiJoseph YablonskiJoseph Albert "Jock" Yablonski was an American labor leader in the United Mine Workers in the 1950s and 1960s. He was murdered in 1969 by killers hired by a union political opponent, Mine Workers president W. A. Boyle...
- Edgar SnyderEdgar SnyderEdgar Snyder is a Pittsburgh-area personal injury lawyer.Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania to Polish and Russian immigrants, Snyder attended Penn State University and was a member of the fraternity Beta Sigma Beta....
- (1966) - Prominent personal injury attorney, Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer" - Ralph J. CappyRalph J. CappyRalph J. Cappy was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1990 to 1998 and Chief Justice of the Court from 1998 to 2008....
- (1968) - Justice (1990–2008) and Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2003–2008) - Dennis UnkovicDennis UnkovicDennis Unkovic is an international attorney, business advisor, and author. He is a partner with Pittsburgh-based Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP....
— (1973) — International business advisor, partner at Meyer, Unkovic & Scott and author of six books - Q. Todd DickinsonQ. Todd DickinsonQ. Todd Dickinson is the former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office...
- (1977) - former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual PropertyUnder Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual PropertyThe Under Secretary for Intellectual Property, within the United States Department of Commerce, is the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office...
and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark OfficeUnited States Patent and Trademark OfficeThe United States Patent and Trademark Office is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.The USPTO is based in Alexandria, Virginia,...
(USPTO) (1999–2001); current Executive Director of the American Intellectual Property Law AssociationAmerican Intellectual Property Law AssociationThe American Intellectual Property Law Association is a national bar association that was formed in 1897 to improve intellectual property laws and educate the public about such issues....
(AIPLA) - Susan Richard NelsonSusan Richard NelsonSusan Richard Nelson is an American lawyer and District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. She has served in this position since December 2010, prior to which she served as a United States magistrate judge with the same court.-Early life and...
- (1978) - Judge for the United States District Court for the District of MinnesotaUnited States District Court for the District of MinnesotaThe United States District Court for the District of Minnesota is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Minnesota. Its two primary courthouses are in Minneapolis and Saint Paul... - Mark R. HornakMark R. HornakMark Raymond Hornak is an American lawyer and judge who serves on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.- Early life and education :...
- (1981) - Judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Western District of PennsylvaniaThe United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania sits in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is composed of ten judges as authorized by federal law. The Honorable Judge Gary L. Lancaster is currently Chief Judge of the Western Pennsylvania District... - Debra ToddDebra ToddDebra Todd is a Justice of Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Prior to her election to the Supreme Court in 2007, she served as a Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania....
- (1982) - Justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2007–present) - Tom FeeneyTom FeeneyThomas Charles "Tom" Feeney III, usually known as Tom Feeney , is an American politician from the state of Florida. He represented . He was defeated in the 2008 election by Democrat Suzanne Kosmas.-Early life:...
- (1983) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(2003–2009) - Melissa Hart - (1987) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(2001–2007) - Mary Beth BuchananMary Beth BuchananMary Beth Buchanan, née Kotcella, , was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She was nominated by George W...
- (1987) - United States AttorneyUnited States AttorneyUnited States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for Western Pennsylvania (2001–Present), brought Tommy ChongTommy ChongTommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, writer, director, activist, and musician who is well known for his stereotypical portrayals of hippie-era stoners...
to trial. - Dan OnoratoDan OnoratoDaniel "Dan" Onorato is the current Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Onorato won a crowded four-way primary to become the Democratic nominee for governor...
- (1989) - Chief executive of Allegheny County (2003–present)
Deans of the Law School
- John Douglass Shafer, 1895–1920
- Alexander Marshall Thompson, 1920–1940
- Eugene Allen GilmoreEugene Allen GilmoreEugene Allen Gilmore was the acting Governor-General of the Philippines from 1929 to 1930, the Dean of the College of Law at the University of Iowa from 1930 to 1934, the twelfth President of the University of Iowa from 1934 to 1940, and the law dean at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law...
, 1940–1942 - Judson Adams Crane, 1942–1949
- Charles Bernard Nutting, 1949–1951
- Judson Adams Crane (Acting Dean), 1951–1952
- Brainerd CurrieBrainerd CurrieBrainerd Currie was a law professor noted for his work in conflict of laws and his creation of the concept of the governmental interests analysis. He was the father of law professor David P. Currie....
, 1952–1953 - Arthur LarsonArthur LarsonLewis Arthur Larson was an American lawyer, law professor, United States Under Secretary of Labor from 1954 to 1956, director of the United States Information Agency from 1956 to 1957, and Executive Assistant to the President for Speeches from 1957 to 1958.Lewis Arthur Larson was born in Sioux...
(on leave of absence 1954-56), 1953–1956 - Charles Wilson Taintor II (Acting Dean), 1954–1957
- Thomas McIntyre Cooley II, 1957–1965
- William Edward SellWilliam Edward SellW. Edward Sell was the Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law from 1966 through 1977.-Education:He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 1945. He earned his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1947....
, Chairman, Administrative Committee, 1965–1966; Dean, 1966–1977 - John E. Murray, Jr., 1977–1984
- Richard J. Pierce, Jr., 1984–1985
- Mark A. NordenbergMark NordenbergMark A. Nordenberg , also known as "Nordy" to many students, is a lawyer and the seventeenth Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.In 1977, he joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law...
, 1985-1993 (Currently University Chancellor) - Richard H. Seeburger (Interim Dean), 1993–1994
- Peter M. ShanePeter M. ShanePeter Milo Shane is a law professor and writer. His best-known scholarly work focuses mainly on two subjects. The first is separation of powers law, especially law and the presidency. His work often explores what he calls an institutional conception of the rule of law in a separation of powers...
, 1994–1998 - David J. Herring, 1998–2005
- Mary A. Crossley, 2005-