Two New Clinical Faculty Appointments

Harry J. Gruener, ’69, and Dan Friedson have been named Assistant Clinical Professors of Law. Gruener and Friedson formerly held appointments at the School as Visiting Clinical Professors of Law and were the architects of the School’s two newest clinics.

Gruener created and directs Pitt’s Family Law Clinic and Friedson created and directs the Community Economic Development Clinic. Both clinics are unequivocal success stories, marking their third anniversary this fall.

Pitt’s Family Law Clinic provides no-cost legal services to the indigent of Allegheny County. The Clinic offers legal expertise and support in dealing with matters of child support, custody and visitation rights to a population historically underrepresented or never represented. In its relatively short history, the Clinic has become a trusted resource in the community.

The Community Economic Development Clinic, in its first year alone, supported and saved 132 jobs, served 30 small businesses, 35 non-profits, 29 municipalities and helped clients create or maintain a combined total of 2.5 million dollars in revenue. The Clinic provides free legal support to small business start-ups, non-profit community organizations, and potential homeowners from distressed areas who are unable to afford legal representation on their own.