In recognition of Women’s History Month, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law advances its strategic expansion of endowed faculty positions with the creation of the Roslyn M. Litman Endowed Professor of Law in Civil Liberties. The establishment of this prestigious endowed title marks a significant milestone in the Law School’s broader effort to bolster its national scholarly reputation and support preeminent legal minds on its faculty.
Under the leadership of Dean Jerry Dickinson, Pitt Law is moving forward with a multi-year initiative to expand its roster of endowed chairs and positions, creating the vital infrastructure needed to support world-class scholars. The establishment of this title—named for one of the most formidable women in the history of the Pennsylvania bar—is central to this vision, representing a long-term investment in high-impact research, rigorous teaching, and national engagement.
“The establishment of the Roslyn M. Litman Endowed Professor of Law in Civil Liberties represents a transformative moment for our community,” said Dean Jerry Dickinson. “Roz embodied the very best of Pitt Law—intellectual rigor, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice. This endowed title ensures that her legacy will continue to inspire scholarship, teaching, and advocacy in civil liberties for generations to come.”
The creation of this endowed title was made possible through the visionary generosity of donors dedicated to honoring the legacy of Roslyn “Roz” M. Litman (JD ’52). This endowment will allow the Law School to support a distinguished scholar whose research focuses on civil rights and civil liberties, further amplifying Pitt Law’s impact on the national stage.
A Legacy of Courage and Civil Rights Leadership
The establishment of this position honors the memory of a true trailblazer. A 1952 alumna, Roz Litman graduated first in her class and earned the highest bar exam score in Pennsylvania at a time when fewer than 100 women had ever practiced law in Allegheny County.
After being denied employment by major law firms because of her gender, Litman founded her own firm and pioneered legal theories that brought about systemic change for marginalized communities. A fierce defender of the First Amendment, her career was highlighted by a landmark victory before the U.S. Supreme Court in County of Allegheny v. ACLU (1989), a case that remains a cornerstone of Establishment Clause jurisprudence.
“Our mother believed deeply in the Constitution as a living promise that demands constant vigilance, courage, and advocacy,” said the Litman family. “She would be profoundly honored to know that her life’s work will continue through a professorship dedicated to civil liberties at Pitt Law, the institution that helped launch her extraordinary career. We are grateful to the Law School for preserving her legacy and advancing the values she held so dear.”
In conjunction with the announcement of the professorship, the Barco Law Library has launched the Roz Litman Digital Exhibit, an online collection honoring Litman’s life, career, and lasting impact on civil liberties. The exhibit features digitized materials from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law archives, including photographs, case briefs, newspaper coverage, scholarship, and personal interviews that document Litman’s extraordinary legal career and her profound influence on the Pittsburgh region and beyond. Explore the exhibit.