Honoring Duquesne’s New Graduates
Commencement at Duquesne University is more than a series of ceremonies—it is a defining moment for the entire campus community.
Our Law School’s mission is to educate lawyers in the ethical practice of law, to preserve the highest ideals
of our profession, and to promote equal justice and democratic discourse through leadership,
service and civic engagement. Rooted in our Catholic and Spiritan tradition, we believe
that education is a pathway to empowerment, and we have welcomed all faiths and backgrounds
since our inception. Situated on the bluff overlooking downtown Pittsburgh, we are steps away from laws
firms, courthouses, businesses and government offices providing students with clinical, externship, and employment opportunities. Our Career Services Office provides individualized support for students to gain practical experience and connects
them with our nearly 10,000 alumni. Through our innovative offerings and our Legal Research and Writing Program students receive the core skills necessary to be successful new attorneys. Our curriculum
emphasizes other necessary proficiencies such as professionalism, ethics, and the
responsible use of generative AI. Preparing our students for their legal careers, our Bar Studies team applies strategies that continue to place our bar passage rate well above the national average. That success contributes to an employment rate that consistently exceeds the national average. By coming to Duquesne Kline School of Law our students are empowered to lead, committed
to serve, and prepared for practice so they can impact our society in profound ways.
Our motto "Salus populi suprema lex"-"The welfare of the people is the highest
law" is part of our mission to educate our lawyers to preserve the highest ideals
of our profession.
Outcomes Matter
Student Centered Approach to Legal Education
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Why Study at Duquesne Kline School of Law?
Purposeful, Professional, Ethical
There is one factor that distinguishes our law school, and that, quite simply, is the fact that we are part of Duquesne University, a Catholic institution dedicated to moral, ethical and spiritual values. In an era when ethical concerns are among the most important questions facing the legal profession, the Duquesne Kline School of Law reflects the University's unique and historical emphasis on justice and service to others.
Turn Your Goals Into Reality
Becoming a lawyer opens career possibilities. From government to business to private practice, there are many different career routes for you to choose with a law degree. Our diverse and innovative programs are designed to turn your goals into reality.
Ethical AI & Law Technology Curriculum
Students are offered an innovative, expanding curriculum of AI and Law Technology courses taught by faculty who are at the forefront of the AI revolution. This focus ensures our students enter the marketplace with the sophisticated technological skills necessary to excel in the modern practice of law while maintaining the highest professional standards.
Kline Center for Judicial Education
The Thomas R. Kline Center for Judicial Education supports the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in its ongoing efforts to enhance the administration of justice through high quality continuing education for judges of the Commonwealth.
6th Nationally for Bar Prep Programs
Duquesne Kline School of Law is ranked 6th in the nation as a "Top Law School for Bar Passage” because our graduates consistently outperform national bar averages. Through academic rigor and individualized attention, we prepare our graduates for success on the Bar exam.
Flexibility and Access to Legal Education
More than 100 years ago, Duquesne Kline School of Law was founded by our Spiritan order as an evening program, with the goal of providing access to a legal education to working families. We remain committed to that initial call for flexibility and opportunity and continue to complement the lives of non-traditional students with flexible offerings.
Flexible Evening Division
Our flexible evening JD program provides the opportunity for legal education for working professionals and those with other commitments. Duquesne Kline School of Law has the only evening program in the Pittsburgh area offering students from varying backgrounds and experiences the ability to pursue a part-time Juris Doctor degree.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
We offer the legal community a variety of CLE opportunities throughout the year. These programs provide a mix of topics, from re-examination of fundamental principles to the exploration of cutting-edge legal issues. We also partner with leading companies, organizations, and firms to present day-long conferences.
Paralegal Institute
Our ABA approved Paralegal Institute offers a fully online certificate focused on Paralegal Studies to provide confidence, connections, practical skills—and an enhanced resume—to start or advance a career in the legal community.
Full-Time Faculty
Steven Baicker McKee
Joseph A. Katarincic Chair of Legal Process and Civil Procedure and Associate Professor of Law
April M. Barton
Dean and Professor of Law
Dan Brean
Intellectual Property Expert in Residence
Hon. Thomas Corbett
Distinguished Executive in Residence
Kara Dempsey
Assistant Professor of Clinical Legal Education, Director of the Youth Advocacy Clinic, Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education
Richard C. Gaffney
Associate Professor of Legal Skills
Lauren Gailey
Assistant Professor of Law
Ken Gormley
Duquesne University President and Professor of Law
Richard Heppner
Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship and Associate Professor of Law
Maryann Herman
Assistant Professor of Law
Wilson Huhn
Professor of Law
David Jamison
Distinguished Faculty Fellow
Rona Kaufman
Associate Professor of Law
Stephen Kaufman
Distinguished Faculty Fellow
Ella A. Kwisnek
Associate Dean for Students and Associate Professor of Legal Skills
Hon. Conor Lamb
Distinguished Lecturer of Law
Jan Levine
Professor of Law
Jacqueline Lipton
Associate Professor of Law
Ashley M. London
Director of Bar Studies and Associate Professor of Law
Gene Mazo
Associate Professor of Law, Associate Professor of Political Science
W. Thomas McGough
Distinguished Faculty Fellow of Law and Medicine
Martin McKown
Assistant Professor of Law
Marissa Meredith
Assistant Professor of Law
April Milburn-Knizner
Associate Director of Bar Studies and Assistant Professor of Legal Skills
Brian Miller
Assistant Professor of Law
Joseph Sabino Mistick
Associate Professor of Law
Megan E.K. Montcalm
Director of Academic Excellence and Assistant Professor of Legal Skills
Katherine Norton
Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship, Director of Clinical and International Programs and Associate Professor of Law
David Nows
Director of the JD/MBA Program and Assistant Professor of Law
Wesley M. Oliver
Law and Computing Program Director, Marie-Clement Rodier, C.Sp. Endowed Chair and Professor of Law
John Rago
Associate Professor of Law
Hon. Thomas Saylor
Chief Justice Emeritus and Kline Center Jurist-in-Residence
Ann Marie L. Schiavone
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law
Soo C. Song
Distinguished Faculty Fellow
Allison Ware
Associate Director of Clinical Programs and Assistant Professor
Ryan Williams
Associate Professor of Law
Tara L. Willke
Associate Dean for Strategic Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Law
Emeritus Faculty
Robert Barker
Professor Emeritus
Nicholas Cafardi
Dean Emeritus
Martha Jordan
Professor Emerita
Hon. Maureen Lally-Green
Professor Emerita
Bruce Ledewitz
Professor Emeritus
Frank Yining Liu
Professor Emeritus
Jane Campbell Moriarty
Professor Emerita, Carol Los Mansmann Chair in Faculty Scholarship Emerita
Alfred Pelaez (In Memoriam)
Professor Emeritus
Nancy Perkins
Professor Emerita
Raymond Sekula
Professor Emeritus
Mark Yochum
Professor Emeritus
News
Duquesne Continues Rise in ‘U.S. News’ Best Grad Programs
Duquesne University continues to reinforce its position as a top destination for graduate students seeking both academic rigor and real world preparation, earning a strong showing in the 2026-2027 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Programs rankings.
Duquesne Kline School of Law’s upward ascent continues with U.S. News & World Report’s #85 ranking
The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University jumped seven spots to achieve a #85 placement in the U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Law Schools rankings. Released on April 7, 2026, this is Duquesne Kline School of Law’s highest ranking yet.
This CLE, presented by Professor Allison Ware, will focus on having children and young people as clients and how to best serve them. 9:30 a.m. Graduation Mass
Events
More About This Event
Representing Children
This program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 2 hours of substantive CLE credit.
Cost:
$150.00 for CLE attendees
$100.00 for Duq
More About This Event
Commencement 2026
"I made lifelong friendships during my time at the law school. I appreciate all
the help and support I got from the administration and faculty."
"It is an honor to graduate with a Duquesne Kline School of Law degree. The Duquesne
Kline network spans nationwide and has received much recognition. This degree truly
is a reflection of our faculty, staff, and alumni successes.”
"I returned to Duquesne Kline School of Law in 2022 to further my goal of helping
those in need. The many legal clinics and externship opportunities have provided me
with meaningful ways to gain legal education while also serving those who are often
marginalized in our communities."
"Duquesne Kline has helped prepare me for my career by allowing me the opportunity
to learn from brilliant and experienced professors while maintaining the professional
and personal connections that I formed before starting law school. My education at
Duquesne Kline has allowed me to change the course of my life without having to uproot
it."
"Duquesne Kline has not only prepared me for a career in law but has also reinforced
the values of integrity, service, and lifelong learning that will guide me forward."
"Beyond the classroom, Duquesne Kline's commitment to experiential learning has
been central to my improvement. I participated in two in-class trials, competed in
two Moot Court competitions, conducted multiple mock depositions, and externed for
judges in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for
the Western District of Pennsylvania—all for class credit. These experiences have
equipped me with practical skills and the confidence to embark on my career with purpose."
The American Bar Association law school data for the Thomas R. Kline School
of Law of Duquesne University is available for download.
Let us help you find your future on the Bluff!
Graduate Testimonials
Consumer Information
As part of the accreditation process for all law schools in the United States, the
American Bar Association requires that schools publicly disclose certain consumer
information on their websites. This report appears in the ABA-LSAC Official Guide
to ABA-Approved Law Schools. Duquesne Kline School of Law is accredited by the American
Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).
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