Why is law school diversity important?

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) advocates for diversity in law schools. They believe—as do we in the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University—that access to justice is essential for a democratic society, and diversity in the legal profession increases the likelihood of access for people from an increasingly diverse population.

Further, diversity in law schools enables individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to add their perspectives to the greater legal community.

Duquesne Kline School of Law is dedicated to creating a truly diverse community of scholars. Today, our students have more opportunities than ever to study with future colleagues from a multitude of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. They learn from professors who bring diverse experiences into the classroom—and they experience firsthand the U.S. legal industry transforming into a more diverse profession. 

At Duquesne Kline School of Law, Diversity Matters.

Law Affinity Groups and Events Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Duquesne Duquesne Bias Education Response Team Harvard Project Implicit Bias Test

All are welcomed at Duquesne Kline School of Law

Duquesne Kline School of Law is proud of its historic, and forward looking, commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession:

  • We had the first black dean of a major American Law School.
  • The first woman admitted to our School was in 1914.
  • The first man of color to graduate from our School was in 1925.
  • Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education opened in 2013 and provides student attorneys hands-on client experiences which impacts diverse communities.
  • Impactful speakers have been welcomed on campus including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Upcoming Law Events

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Table Talk Tuesdays - Pollock Begg

Pollock Begg is a progressive family law firm located in downtown Pittsburgh. Partner...

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  • Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
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Fall 2024 Recruitment/OCI Reception

Current 1L, 2E, and 2P students are invited to meet recruiters and attorneys at the firms...

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  • Power Center Ballroom
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Table Talk Tuesdays - Marshall Dennehy

Brad Haas, Shareholder at Marshall Dennehy, will be tabling in the Student Lounge on Tuesday,...

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  • Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
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Student & Alumni Highlights

Tiffeny M. Ayoola headshot in front of Tucker Arensberg, P.C. law office

Tiffeny M. Ayoola, 2L

Tiffeny recently served as a law clerk at Tucker Arensberg, P.C.

Joseph Segar headshot

Joseph Segar, 2L

Joseph worked at Sitko Bruno, LLC, this past summer.

Hannah Dean headshot

Hannah Dean, 2L

Through the ACBA Summer Clerkship Program, Hannah was a bankruptcy intern for Neighborhood Legal Services.

Jordan Jiles headshot

Jordan Jiles, 2L

Jordan worked at Fisher Phillips, LLP, this past summer.

Chelsea Bruce headshot

Chelsea Bruce, 2L

Chelsea worked for Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC, this past summer.

Jurry Bajwah headshot

Jurry Bajwah, 2L

Jurry interned in the legal department at Highmark, Inc., this past summer.

Kay Will headshot

Kay Will, 2L

Kay recently completed a law internship for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Elijah Tait headshot

Elijah Tait, 2L

Elijah worked at Zimmer Kunz, PLLC, this past summer.

Joe Leckenby headshot

Joseph Leckenby, 2L

Joseph landed a legal intern position with BNY Mellon. He was also a Summer Clerk with the Allegheny County Bar Association.

Kebron Assefa headshot

Kebron Assefa, L'23

Kebron is attending medical school in Missouri.

Tiere J. Phillips headshot

Tiere J. Phillips, L'23

Tiere is a first-year associate for Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, P.C.

Olamide Owoeye headshot

Olamide Owoeye, L'23

Olamide returned to JacksonKelly PLLC, as an Associate Attorney.

Dana Aboud headshot

Dana Aboud, L'23

Dana is an Associate in the Securities & Capital Markets (Corporate) for McGuireWoods, Pittsburgh Office.

Jamilah Wesley headshot

Jamilah Wesley, 3L

Jamilah was a risk management internship this past summer with Freddie Mac in McLean, VA.

Roshni Master headshot

Roshni Master, 3L

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University named Roshni Master as the 2023 recipient of the Trial Skills Diversity Scholarship.

Fallon Howard headshot

Fallon Howard, L'23

Fallon is an Associate Attorney for Cole, Scott & Kissane in Orlando, FL.

Headshot of Adger Drummond II

Adger W. Drummond II, 3L

Adger was an Associate Attorney for Ogletree Deakins this past summer.

Heather L. McCutcheon headshot

Heather L. McCutcheon, 2L

Heather worked for the law firm Caroselli, Beachler, and Coleman this past summer.

Jocelyn Brooks-Ezelle headshot

Jocelyn Brooks-Ezelle, 2L

Jocelyn interned this past summer at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office in the Domestic Violence Unit.

Isabel Dobbs

Isabel Dobbs, 2L

Isabel worked at Osterhout Berger Disability Law this past summer.


Diversity Resources

Explore our internal and external resources related to diversity and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.

Duquesne University, led by the Holy Spirit and guided by its Catholic values, is committed to fostering and maintaining authentic relationships with every person.

In support of this commitment, the University has implemented a process that enables students, faculty, staff, and alumni who identify by a name other than their given (legal) first name to use a chosen first name for University systems where a legal name is not required ("Chosen First Name").
Learn more
According to Pronouns.org, "...often people make assumptions about the gender of another person based on the person’s appearance or name. These assumptions aren’t always correct, and the act of making an assumption (even if correct) sends a potentially harmful message that people have to look a certain way to demonstrate the gender that they are or are not."

Learn more at Pronouns.org

Director of Inclusive Excellence

Meet Dr. Valerie J. Harper

In September 2022, Dr. Valerie Harper was named the Director of Inclusive Excellence for the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.

Dr. Valerie J. Harper headshot