Ella Kwisnek

Ella Kwisnek is associate dean for students and assistant professor of legal research and writing at Duquesne University School of Law. Kwisnek has a B.A. from Saint Vincent College, a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, and a MS.Ed. with a focus on community counseling from Duquesne University School of Education.

After graduating from law school, she served for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho. Upon returning to the U.S. she clerked for then Superior Court Judge Thomas Saylor. In 1995, Kwisnek returned to Duquesne University School of Law as a full-time research & writing instructor. In 1997 she was appointed director of career services and in 1998 assistant dean for students.

In 2011, Kwisnek was promoted from her career services position to work full-time as assistant dean of students and vice dean of the evening division. In 2019 she was promoted to her current position. She has taught Legal Research & Writing at Duquesne since 1995. In addition, she has taught Advanced Legal Writing, Advanced Legal Reasoning, and PA Pretrial Civil Litigation Simulation at the School of Law, Legal Research and Writing in Duquesne's Paralegal Institute, and Legal Aspects of Business Organizations in Duquesne University's business school.

• MS.Ed., Duquesne University School of Education
• J.D., Duquesne University School of Law
• B.A., Saint Vincent College