April Barton Reappointed Dean of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

“April Barton is a stellar leader and role model for both faculty and students in the Duquesne Kline School of Law,” Gormley said. “She provides vital guidance to faculty and important support to our law students as they learn the skills necessary to build fulfilling careers while improving the lives of others and the profession. April also personifies the compassion and leadership skills that we seek to imbue in our students. I’m proud to have her continue to serve as dean at Duquesne Kline Law School.”

Barton has served as dean of the Kline School of Law since 2019. Under her leadership, the school has increased enrollment while raising the academic profile of the entering class; continues to excel in bar passage and post-graduation employment rates; and operates under a new shared vision of the future focused on cross-disciplinary learning, leadership development and community well-being. Barton has launched various initiatives, including a business essentials micro-credential program with Duquesne’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business and a one-of-a-kind Leadership Fellows Program. In addition, the law school received a $50 million commitment from law alumnus and nationally renowned lawyer Thomas R. Kline in 2022—the largest gift in both the school’s and the University’s history.

“It has been gratifying to work as dean with the Duquesne Kline School of Law family,” Barton said. “Our faculty’s passion and commitment to our students is remarkable, and our staff and administration’s dedication to our program of legal education is exceptional. Our students continue to inspire me each and every day, and are the reason why I have the best job in the world. I look forward to continuing to work with our community to ensure our students leave Duquesne Kline prepared for what’s next in their lives, with professional confidence, impressive experience and robust networks as they begin their meaningful careers.”  

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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