University of Pittsburgh School of Law

06/05/2026

Professor Emeritus Arthur Hellman, a nationally recognized scholar of federal courts, was recently quoted on judicial ethics, recusal standards, and public confidence in the judiciary.

Discussing questions surrounding judicial impartiality and recusal obligations, Hellman emphasized the importance of transparency and public trust in the courts:

“These are some difficult questions, and many of them would have been much easier if the council had officially identified the judge.”

Litigants could seize on openings to ask a Georgia federal judge to take herself off certain political cases, after she was found to have improperly had an affair with a police officer in chambers and attended a political event.

06/05/2026

University of Pittsburgh School of Law faculty were well represented this week at the 49th Annual Health Law Professors Conference in Atlanta, sponsored by the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics and Georgia State University College of Law.

Professor Mary Crossley presented Opportunities and Challenges in Teaching Health Law, Professor Greer Donley presented Fetal Personhood Post Dobbs, and Professor Tomar Pierson-Brown presented Mindset in Health Law: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

The annual conference brings together educators and scholars from law, medicine, public health, bioethics, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and health care administration to discuss emerging issues at the intersection of law, medicine, and ethics while sharing innovative teaching strategies and scholarship.

06/05/2026

Professor Greer Donley was cited in an article published by Slate. "By the way, we should give a shout-out to the law professors who devised and promoted shield laws—David Cohen, Rachel Rebouché, and Greer Donley. They’ve made Sam Alito very mad. So don’t ever let anyone tell you law review articles don’t matter."

The Supreme Court restored telehealth access to abortion pills on Thursday.

06/04/2026

In a recent interview, Professor David Harris discussed the importance of public trust in the criminal justice system.

"When you see a prosecutor refer a case to the AG, it’s not just about the facts—it’s about the optics. The public has to believe the system isn’t rigged. In towns like East Lansing, where MSU’s student body brings in young, politically engaged residents, the perception of bias can be just as damaging as the bias itself."

🔗 https://ow.ly/9Qb550Z7zrr

06/04/2026

Dean Dickinson recently spent time in New York City with Todd Matras (JD ’00) at Cadwalader.

Todd has built an impressive practice in fund finance, advising clients on sophisticated transactions and representing the kind of practical, commercially focused leadership Pitt Law alumni bring to the profession.

The visit also offered an opportunity to reflect on Todd’s Pitt Law experience, from memorable 1L cold calls to the friendships and connections formed during law school that continue to endure.

06/04/2026

Support the future of legal scholarship at Pitt Law!

We're in the final stretch of the Law Review EngagePitt campaign and have already reached 62% of our $25,000 goal. Every gift helps support the student editors and members who produce the University of Pittsburgh Law Review and contribute to the intellectual life of our law school.

The campaign ends June 8. Help us cross the finish line and make an impact today!

🔗 https://ow.ly/X6jW50Z7z26

06/04/2026

Professor Arthur Hellman contributed a guest post published by reason. Hellman, who testified as an expert witness in the 2009 impeachment of Judge Samuel Kent, argues that District Judge Eleanor Ross's case warrants serious congressional attention — after she was found to have made repeated false statements to judicial investigators and received only a private reprimand.

🔗 https://ow.ly/vKJF50Z6ccC

06/03/2026

A few weeks ago, Assistant Dean of Public Interest Megan Lovett had the honor of attending Guru Vandana, a beautiful Teacher Appreciation Day celebration organized by Sai Patil, PhD, MBA.

Guru Vandana, which means “salutations to the teacher,” is an initiative of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS USA) that celebrates educators and mentors from all walks of life. The event brought together an inspiring group of teachers, from Pre-K educators and karate instructors to AP high school teachers and university professors.

Guests learned about Hindu values of humility, community service, and honesty while enjoying performances, songs, skits, and a delicious home-cooked meal. Professor David Harris was an honored guest and speaker. One memorable highlight was receiving a beautiful henna design from a talented seventh-grade student—its traces only recently faded away.

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Lauren Kelly Gielarowski (JD ’12), Erica Kelly Curren (JD ’14), and Gianna Kelly (JD ’17) on being named 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars.

This distinction recognizes outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, with only a small percentage of practicing attorneys in Pennsylvania receiving the honor each year.

We are especially proud to see the founding partners of The Kelly Firm, a women-owned and female-led law firm, recognized for their excellence, leadership, and commitment to serving clients across Pennsylvania!

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Dean Jerry Dickinson on publishing three major law review articles during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Published in the Yale Journal on Regulation, William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, and Utah Law Review, Dickinson's scholarship examines constitutional theory, home rights, federalism, and the evolving relationship between state and federal constitutional law.

His continued commitment to research and writing exemplifies the intellectual leadership at the heart of Pitt Law.

Read more 🔗 https://www.law.pitt.edu/news/dean-jerry-dickinson-publishes-three-major-articles-top-law-journals-during-2025-2026-academic