We educate lawyers to preserve the highest ideals of our profession and to promote
equal justice and democratic discourse through leadership, service, and civic engagement.
As a student at Duquesne Kline, you will receive a well-rounded legal education full
of opportunities to practically apply your coursework—through our clinics, our appellate programs, and innovative offerings, like our Leadership Fellows Program and JD/ MBA program.
Your courses are taught by our acclaimed faculty who are committed to our students’ success. They work to ensure your legal education
prepares you with the modern skills needed to excel in the practice of the law.
Prepare for Your Future
Providing a pathway to an honorable pursuit of law is at the core of who
we are.
Be the first to know about everything related to the Duquesne Kline School of Law
– from insightful information about our programs and the application process to updates
on upcoming admissions events.
96.4% of the graduates were employed or pursuing a graduate degree*
*Class of 2023 Statistics as reported to the ABA 10 months after graduation. 96.4%
(132/137 graduates) includes one graduate whose start date was deferred beyond March
15, 2024; one graduate who was employed in a law school funded position; and three
graduates who were enrolled in full-time graduate studies.
Ranked a Top 10 Law School for “Professor Accessibility”
Duquesne Kline School of Law ranks in the top 10 for “Professor Accessibility,” and
additionally ranks in the top 50 for “Career” outcomes. These high ranks from the
TaxProf Blog are based on the recently released 2024 Princeton Review Law School ratings.
The ratings are out of 168 law schools in the United States.
Ranked #94 out of 196 by U.S. News and World Report, the Thomas R. Kline School of
Law of Duquesne University has earned its strong reputation by what it provides inside
and out of the classroom. Students graduate from our law school empowered by community-focused
and collaborative learning and a drive for excellence across all aspects of the law.
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
You will learn with acclaimed faculty who are passionate about their profession and
the difference it can make. Duquesne Kline Law faculty offer you a combination of
legal experience, knowledge of emerging technology in the field, and commitment to
excellence that gives you a legal education to prepare you for whatever is next.
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University is ranked 6th in the nation as
"Top Law School for Bar Passage". Successful bar passage doesn't just happen. It starts
with academic rigor, individual attention, acclaimed professors, and a carefully conceived
program of special bar preparation options.
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. Those values are outlined in our Learning Outcomes and Performance Criteria.
Our School of Law is unique among American law schools in offering a Law and Computing
Concentration. We are among a handful of schools teaching a computer programming course
for lawyers, and part of a smaller group of schools teaching multiple courses on computer
programming for law students.
I think the Tribone Center reinforces the idea that Duquesne Kline not only gives you the conceptual foundation
for your profession, but also the practical side. That was a big driver in getting
the clinic.
Tom Tribone, L'85CEO of Franklin Park Infrastructure, Inc.
22,304hours of legal service through clinical education programs
My educational experience at Duquesne Kline Law has instilled in me the value in aiming
for excellence in my advocacy, both written and oral. This has benefited me through my training and continued development.
Brazitte Poole, L’19Labor and Employment Attorney at UPMC in Pittsburgh
15years of program excellence in Trial Advocacy
By giving students from all backgrounds the crucial support and resources they need
to succeed in law school, and by striving to instill within them the values of service,
leadership, and civic engagement, we will not only diversify and strengthen our profession,
but we also will make strides toward a more just, inclusive, and prosperous city and society.
Professor Megan E.K. MontcalmDirector of Academic Excellence and Assistant Professor of Legal Skills
I came to Pittsburgh for my American dream. I couldn’t be happier with my experience
at Duquesne Kline. Not being from the area, it was really important to be connected
to someone in the Pittsburgh legal community, to know what is going on, and good paths
to take.
David McPeak, L'23Associate Attorney, Flaherty & O'Hara
8,500+graduates who practice in every field of law
Outstanding Academic Experience
We are dedicated to excellence. Your experience here will give you the knowledge,
analytical skills, ethical strength, and leadership mindset to succeed.
Prepared
Over 8,500 Kline School of Law Alumni are currently practicing law across multiple
areas of the profession. They make an impact around our nation and the world. They
are ready to help you blaze your professional path with advice, internships, and experience.
Duquesne Kline Law has long history of making a legal education accessible, and our
part-time program is among the best in the nation. We offer several ways for individuals
to pursue a valuable law degree.
Leadership, service, and civic engagement can be discussed in the classroom, but they
are developed through practice, via active participation in group settings, and by
working with and for the larger community.
National and International Legal Experts Attend AI and Law Conference
Nearly 100 judges and attorneys from across the globe convened at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University from December 2-5, 2024, for a four-day conference entitled “Artificial Intelligence for Judges and Lawyers: A Comprehensive Course.” The innovative and informative conference outlined the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the law. It was a collaboration between the Thomas R. Kline Center for Judicial Education and the National Judicial College.
Unique Book Collection from Special Friendship Graces Library
The first time Bruce Ledewitz, Adrian Van Kaam Endowed Chair in Scholarly Excellence and Professor of Law, met fellow Professor of Law Robert Taylor, L’79, was during the summer of 1980. The two began teaching at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University that year. Taylor was 14 years senior to Ledewitz, who had recently graduated from Yale Law School. Initially, they became acquainted through scholarly pursuits.
Ideas and Support for Older Pennsylvanians Shared at Recent Elder Justice Consortium Meeting
The Elder Justice Consortium of Pennsylvania Law Schools (EJC) met for their 3rd annual meeting with the Justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on November 19 in Hershey, Pa. The group includes deans from all Pennsylvania law schools, faculty and administrative representatives of each school’s experiential programming.
We rise by helping each other, and since the inception of the annual Day of Giving, the special community of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University has always been a driving force in the upward trajectory of our law school. Each year, you have wholeheartedly and consistently donate
Lawyers on Location: Mark Santo, Marco Q Rossi & Associati PLLC
All law students are invited to attend a "Lawyers on Location" luncheon with Mark Santo, Esq., an accomplished international business and lega executive who brings a distinct perspective to his client’s business objectives, fusing executive management and international legal experience into a power
-
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
Please join us for a Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University Virtual Information Session.
The Admissions Team will discuss topics ranging from the admissions process, financial aid, studying, and living in Pittsburgh, PA. Following the brief presentation, there will be Q&A with law stud
-
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
"I wanted to go to school somewhere that felt genuinely supportive and student
focused. Duquesne Kline has many great opportunities and programs but still feels
close knit and very personal."
"I chose Duquesne Kline because of the amazing scholarship opportunities. Additionally,
the high bar passage rate was important to my decision because I want to be successful
inside and outside of law school."
"Duquesne Kline offered me the opportunity to work full time and step into the
legal field while pursuing my dreams of becoming a lawyer. I know that no matter
what lies ahead, the evening program has prepared me for bar prep and my future career."
“Duquesne Kline School of Law’s Clinical Legal Education program merged my academic
training with real-world legal experiences. Pro bono programs, externships, and community
service prepared me for a smooth transition from law school to law practice."
"I chose Duquesne Kline School of Law because I was attracted to Duquesne’s strong
alumni network and its commitment to making practice-ready lawyers in Pittsburgh."
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).
The American Bar Association law school data for the Thomas R. Kline School
of Law of Duquesne University is available for download.
