Learn to lead

Our students come to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University from all walks of life, each bringing a diverse background and unique perspective. They come together as a family to learn, study, and interact in a rigorous academic setting.

Male student with downtown blurred in background
Just as they find down time with each other, many students become involved in any of our 30 student-run organizations. Each is unique, just like each student, and enhances personal and professional interests. They make important connections in these pursuits and gain significant experience.

Students shine in the many available leadership opportunities, either through running an organization or volunteering in one. They also hone their legal skills by joining our award-winning trial advocacy and nationally award-winning appellate moot court program.

Whether practicing for a simulated trial, advocating for animals, or promoting military issues, students pursue the activities that interest them, personalizing their law school journey.

Create a balance

Organizations are only one way our student life team helps our lawyers create a healthy mind, work, and body balance. Stress relief and wellness activities—such as yoga—are offered regularly in our meditation room.

View of Power Center with downtown buildings in background
Lunchtime sessions for law students, networking, and affinity group get-togethers are other ways we strive to keep students connected and help them unwind. We also get back to basics, sometimes painting rocks or decorating jack-o-lanterns to take a break from studies, bond, and relax.

Our students anticipate our annual activities, like the PILA Auction, the Hanley Bowl law student flag football game, the Barristers' Ball and the Katie Westbrook 5K Race & Dog Walk among others. We offer a variety of events and opportunities to fit your personal and professional interests and ambitions.

Get Involved

 
Advisor with student looking at laptop

Student Organizations

Students shine in the many available leadership opportunities, either through running an organization or volunteering in one. They also hone their legal skills by joining our award-winning trial advocacy and nationally award-winning appellate moot court program. Whether practicing for a simulated trial, advocating for animals, or promoting military issues, students pursue the activities that interest them, personalizing their law school journey.

Explore all opportunities
Students by Tribone Center

Publications and Blogs

Communication and writing skills are essential to a successful legal career. Law students at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University study with law professors who are renowned for their legal research and writing skills. Students have multiple opportunities to hone their writing competency both in class and through various publications.

Learn More

Wellness Resources

The wellbeing of our law students is of paramount importance to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. The Wellness Committee works to implement the Student Wellbeing Policy by creating toolkits for achieving wellbeing and working with University administrations to ensure that students have a safe, clean, working environment with affordable and healthy food choices. The committee also schedules regular programming to advance student wellbeing. Students are always welcome to meet with the Dean of Students about any problems or concerns. Whether an issue is an academic or a personal concern that may adversely impact academics, the Dean of Students works with students to get the help they need and to develop strategies to manage problems. All matters are kept strictly confidential so long as no threat of harm to self or another appears imminent.

Wellness Resources

At the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, we are concerned about law students' personal wellbeing as well as their academic achievement. Law students are encouraged to develop healthy habits that will sustain them through the demands of law school and their legal careers. One of the keys to success in law school involves managing the volume of work and the stress associated with the workload. To manage stress students need to stay healthy by doing the following:

  • Making healthy food choices
  • Exercising regularly
  • Treating illness as it arises
  • Handling an emergency or injury right away
  • Seeking help whenever necessary

In particular, the faculty and administration recognizes that the stresses of law school may lead to drug and alcohol abuse and dependency and mental health issues. Early intervention is the key to avoiding or addressing such problems. Accordingly, any student struggling with any such issues is strongly encouraged to immediately seek help from one of the resources listed below.

  • Mindfulness and Meditation Room
  • Wellness Tip of the Week in The Docket
  • Wellness Week including a CLE done in conjunction with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers PA – Mental Health IS Health
  • Therapy Dogs (monthly) and chair massages (during exams)
  • Dean of Students wellness hours in the student lounge twice per week to answer questions and offer support
  • Wellbeing Working Group that includes faculty, staff, and students
  • Student Support Team designed to identify at-risk 1L students and intervene to direct them to appropriate resources.
  • The syllabus template includes links to wellness resources
  • Mental Health First Aid training for staff and student leaders
  • Food pantry and clothing closet
  • Wellness Series for faculty, staff, and students addressing the five pillars of wellbeing: psychological flexibility, mindfulness, emotion regulation/distress tolerance, acceptance, and self-compassion.
Center for Student Wellbeing                                                                                                        
    1. Counseling and Wellbeing Center, 326 Gumberg Library, Phone: (412) 396-6204
    2. Health Services, 3rd Floor Gumberg Library, Phone: (412) 396-1650
    3. Sports and Recreation, 2nd Floor, Power Center, Phone: (412) 396-5050.

      Basketball/volleyball courts, Racquetball courts, Cardio equipment, Fitness studios, Weight room, Exercise classes. Towers Swimming Pool. McCloskey Field. Basketball/Street Hockey Court. Tennis Court.
Oasis Wellness App, available to all students on campus  

DU CARES, Assumption Hall, (412) 396-5834 - Drug and alcohol counseling and information.

Disability Services, 305 and 309 Student Union, (412) 396-6658 – resources on receiving accommodations for disabilities

Psychology Clinic, 227 Rockwell Hall, (412) 396-6562 – Affordable services provided by doctoral students in Duquesne University's clinical psychology program who are working under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty members and selected licensed adjunct faculty psychologists in the community.

Group Therapy Workshop, Support, and Social Groups, 326 Gumberg Library, (412) 396-6204 -Duquesne University is offering virtual and in person support group meetings for all Duquesne students, faculty and staff to provide spaces where we can support each other, learn coping skills and gain insight as we all navigate stressful and uncertain cultural times:
  • LGBTQIA+ Support and Social Group
  • Student Study Skills Group
  • Meditation Practice for Challenging Times, Meditation Group for Students
  • The Well: Student Support Group
  • The Village: Where Duquesne Black and African American Students can Express their Emotional Needs and Receive Support
  • RISE (Offered through DU CARES) : Support group for student who have family, friends or loved ones battling substance use disorders or have lost loved ones to the disease
                          
Campus Ministry, located on the ground level of the Towers Living Learning Center, the Spiritan Campus Ministry Center (SCMC) houses a relaxing lounge area, a study room, a café and kitchen, and interfaith prayer and reflection room.  The University chapel holds masses every day.

Brother Keating Initiative, helps food-insecure members of the campus community receive access to supportive services. The initiative’s comprehensive services address health and wellness and include meal vouchers and a campus food pantry.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, provides support services and coordinates community-wide events and programs to celebrate and acknowledge campus leaders and raise awareness about critical issues.

Bias Education Response Team (BERT), a multidisciplinary team that educates the campus community, monitors and reports on trends, and responds to bias incidents through restorative practices.

American Bar Association wellbeing resources – the ABA offers wellbeing tips and links for law students.

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers – Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc. is a comprehensive assistance program designed to meet the unique needs of law students, lawyers, judges and their family members who are struggling with alcohol and drug related problems or with stress, anxiety, depression, gambling and other emotional and mental health issues. Lawyers' Confidential Helpline: 1 (888) 999-1941

view of downtown buildings looking up at sky

Orientation

The Dean of Students Office plans Orientation, which is held in August immediately before the first day of classes. The event introduces 1L students to academic expectations and student life at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.

Group of female graduates clapping at commencement

Endowed Scholarships

Each year the School of Law distributes a number of scholarships from a wide array of endowed scholarship funds made possible by the generous contributions of our benefactors. Application procedures are distributed to current students in the spring term. A portion of incoming student scholarships are also funded through the endowed funds. Duquesne Law also awards a limited amount of endowment scholarship funds to returning law students in good standing who have unmet need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office, and who meet certain criteria delineated by the donors. Students must complete a FAFSA form as well as an online application to be considered.

Working Together

Our staff's office doors are open to our students. We work together to help them find their passions in the pursuit of the law. We likewise lend helping hands and ears to students as they navigate their personal and professional paths.

Ella Kwisnek, J.D., M.S.Ed.

Associate Dean of Students and Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing

Ella Kwisnek, J.D., M.S.Ed.

Beth Bauer, M.B.A.

Assistant Director of Student Organizations and International Programs

Beth Bauer, M.B.A.