| Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University | |
| Motto: | Salus Populi Suprema Lex "The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law" |
| Parent: | Duquesne University |
| Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic (Spiritan Fathers) |
| Type: | Private |
| Parent Endowment: | $260.6 Million[1] |
| Dean: | April Mara Barton |
| City: | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates: | 40.4365°N -79.992°W |
| Students: | 471 |
| Ranking: | 94th (2024)[2] |
| Bar Pass Rate: | 83.33% |
The Thomas R. Kline School of Law is the law school of Duquesne University, a private Catholic university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Dean April M. Barton joined the school in 2019 as its 13th dean.
The School of Law was founded in 1911, and is the only multiple-division law school in western Pennsylvania. Located on the 47acres Duquesne University campus, the law school is walking distance to Pittsburgh's downtown legal, corporate, and government communities. The School of Law has over 8,500 alumni globally.
According to Duquesne's 2024 ABA-required disclosures, admission acceptance rate is 56.3% while 73.6% of the Class of 2022 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment ten months after graduation, excluding solo practitioners.[3] Duquesne's 2023 ABA-required disclosures indicate an 83.33% bar passage rate across all jurisdictions where law school graduates took the bar exam for the first time.[4]
In 1911, the Law School became the first professional school added to Duquesne University. The Law School was first located on 4th Ave in downtown Pittsburgh at the George Building, and is now located on the main university campus less than a mile from the Allegheny County Courthouse and the center of the Pittsburgh legal community. Classes began on September 25, 1911, and consisted of 12 students. The Law School was founded as an evening program, designed to allow individuals with family and work obligations the opportunity to study law. Over the years, Duquesne Law School expanded its programs to include a full-time day and part-time program. However, after almost 100 years, the evening program still remains as the only program of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. Graduates from Duquesne University School of Law comprise over a third of the Allegheny County Bar Association (Pittsburgh).[5] The traditions and goals of the Law School are characterized by the school's motto, salus populi suprema lex, "The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law."
On September 7, 2022, it was announced that the law school has been renamed after litigator and former alumnus Thomas R. Kline, following a $50 million donation.[6] The donation is the largest in the history of the university.[7]
The school offers several degree programs. The Juris Doctor, the primary degree required to practice law in the United States, can be obtained through either the daytime, evening, or part-time division. An LLM, or Master of Laws, is offered through the School of Law for foreign attorneys who have already received a law degree in their native country but wish to become acquainted with the United States legal system.
In addition, Duquesne offers several joint degree programs through other graduate divisions within the university, and other institutions in the Pittsburgh area. Joint degrees currently offered in conjunction with a J.D. include, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Environmental Science & Management, and Master of Divinity (with Pittsburgh Theological Seminary).
There are over 8,500 alumni of the school practicing in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Almost 30 percent of the practicing lawyers in western Pennsylvania are graduates of the law school. A large number of graduates (160) from Duquesne Law are judges on the local, state, and federal levels, including the highest courts and appellate courts in over 20 states. Of all the law schools in Pennsylvania, Duquesne has produced the most judges seated in the Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and Court of Common Pleas.[8]
The Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education of Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University offers several clinical programs which allow students to learn practical lawyering skills while still in law school. Duquesne Kline currently operates seven clinical programs, four yearlong externship programs, as well as several one-semester and summer externships.[9]
The Law School is housed Edward J. Hanley Hall and the Dr. John E. Murray, Jr. Pavilion on the Duquesne University campus. The combined structures occupy nearly 125000square feet. Administrative and faculty offices, classrooms of various sizes, two courtrooms, study areas and a multilevel law library are all under one roof, along with a locker room, café, lounge area and offices for student organizations. Offices and conference areas for the School's in-house clinics are located in nearby Fisher Hall. Law School facilities feature computer and audio/video technology for teaching, research and administrative functions. Law School students can use all of the other amenities on Duquesne's 47acres campus, including computer laboratories, the university's Gumberg Library, dining services and recreational facilities.
According to Duquesne's official 2024 ABA-required disclosures, 96.4% of the Class of 2023 (132/137) were either employed or pursuing a graduate degree within nine months after graduation.[3] See other employment statistics here.
The total cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses) at Duquesne for the 2023–2024 academic year is $77,818.[16] The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $176,676.[17]
The tuition for a master of laws for foreign law students is $32,498.[18]
In Winter 2024, National Jurist recognized Duquesne University School of Law as one of the Top Schools for salary versus debt, with an 89.1% debt-to-income ratio.[18]