Duquesne Kline School of Law Alumni Association Honors Alumni with Awards

Justice Donohue was recognized with the Distinguished Alumna Award, an honor given to an alumna/alumnus who graduated 20 years or more ago and is distinguished through achievements in the legal profession, the community, and to Duquesne Kline School of Law, with the focus on achievement in the legal profession. 

Judge Howsie was recognized for his service and commitment to Duquesne Kline School of Law with the Dr. John E. Murray, Jr. Meritorious Service Award. It was presented in recognition of services rendered and contributions made to Duquesne Kline Law Alumni Association and the Duquesne Kline School of Law, with the focus on service and commitment. 

Judge Rudzki received the Outstanding Achievement Award, presented to a person who is distinguished through achievements in the legal profession and who has practiced law for 19 years or less. Other factors, such as achievements in one’s church, occupation or business, are also considered, as well as contributions and service to Duquesne Kline School of Law, with the focus is on achievement in the legal profession.

The Honorable Christine L. Donohue, L'80

Justice Christine Donohue has served on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania since January 2016. Immediately prior to her service as a Supreme Court Justice, she was a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania for eight years.

Justice Donohue was a civil trial lawyer for her entire career as a lawyer. She was a shareholder in the law firm, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C. in its commercial litigation department. She earned her Juris Doctor degree at Duquesne Kline School of Law where she served on the Duquesne Law Review. While in practice, she was listed in Best Lawyers in America and the Top 50 Lawyers in Pittsburgh. She is an elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and the American Board of Trial Advocates. She is a past president of the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association.

Justice Donohue is a fellow of the American and Allegheny County Bar Foundations and a past chair of the ACBA Young Lawyers Division. Justice Donohue is the 2025 recipient of the PBA’s Anne X. Alpern Award. She was twice recognized by the Pennsylvania Law Weekly as one of Pennsylvania’s “Women Leaders in the Legal Profession.” She is a frequent lecturer on appellate practice and judicial ethics.

Justice Donohue is a former judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline, a former chair and member of the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners and the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board, and a former member of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Justice Donohue spearheaded a program known as Project LITIGATE to encourage law firms to give young lawyers the opportunity to develop skills in the courtroom, particularly in civil jury trials.

The Honorable Elliot C. Howsie, L’98

The Honorable Elliot C. Howsie grew up in Wilkinsburg and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he obtained both his undergraduate degree and master’s degree in criminal justice.

Judge Howsie attended the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University’s evening program while working two full-time jobs. He earned his Juris Doctor in 1998. While attending Duquesne Kline School of Law, Judge Howsie served as an intern for the Public Defender’s Office as well as Neighborhood Legal Services. Upon graduating from law school, he began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Justin M. Johnson of the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He then worked for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for five years as an assistant district attorney. After leaving the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Judge Howsie started his own law firm and worked as a sole practitioner. In his practice, he specialized in criminal law matters as well as personal injury cases.

On March 19, 2012, he was appointed by Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as Allegheny County’s first African American chief public defender. As the Chief Public Defender of Allegheny County, Judge Howsie is responsible for managing the office and providing effective legal representation to any indigent person that is in need of an attorney.

In 2019, Judge Howsie was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate to a seat on the Court of Common Pleas. He was sworn in as a judge in May 2019. In 2021 he was elected to a full term on the court and currently serves in the Criminal Division.

In addition to his professional role, Judge Howsie previously served on the Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board as well as the Macedonia FACE BOARD. He is currently an adjunct professor at Duquesne Kline School of Law where he teaches and mentors first-year minority law students.

The Honorable Matthew V. Rudzki, L’13

Judge Matthew V. Rudzki is currently assigned to the Civil Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, to which he was elected in November 2025. He presides over a general trial docket and two specialty dockets—housing court and conservatorships.

Judge Rudzki majored in history and German at Washington & Jefferson College (2008) and earned his law degree from the Duquesne Kline School of Law (2013). Between his undergraduate studies and matriculating at Duquesne Kline as an evening division student, Judge Rudzki completed a gap year on a Fulbright Fellowship, teaching at two high schools in Austria.

Before taking the bench, Judge Rudzki built his legal career in private practice with Giuffre Law Office and Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace. His primary areas of practice included school and municipal law, estate planning and administration, and real estate law. He earned recognition as a Pennsylvania Rising Star by SuperLawyers on multiple occasions.

Judge Rudzki has a strong commitment to public service, having previously served as a councilman and mayor for his hometown, Sharpsburg Borough. During his time serving Sharpsburg, he introduced legislation to create the Sharpsburg Environmental Advisory Council and Sharpsburg Historical Commission. Judge Rudzki also supported and signed into law a nondiscrimination and human rights ordinance.

In November 2021, Judge Rudzki was elected as a magisterial district judge for the six Fox Chapel Area communities. To promote access to justice and trauma-informed practices while a district judge, Judge Rudzki introduced innovative initiatives such as night court for juvenile cases and working individuals, used trained therapy dogs in court, and utilized social workers and diversionary services in his courtroom.