Jerry Dickinson

Jerry Dickinson, a Pittsburgh native and Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, brings a dynamic vision to Pitt Law rooted in a distinguished career as a constitutional law scholar, civil rights lawyer, community advocate, and politician. As Dean, Dickinson is committed to enhancing Pitt Law’s academic excellence, strengthening its national reputation, building ties with the local legal community, securing resources, and expanding opportunities for students to engage in meaningful legal practice.

Scholarship and Teaching

An accomplished scholar, Dean Dickinson specializes in constitutional law, focusing on judicial federalism, civil liberties, state constitutional law, and the constitutional politics of the U.S. Supreme Court. His scholarship has been published in top law reviews and journals at law schools such as N.Y.U. Law, Georgetown, Penn Law, Duke Law, William & Mary Law, Washington & Lee, Ohio State, Cardozo Law, and Baylor Law, and has been cited by federal courts, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third and Sixth Circuits, and in high-profile amicus briefs.

Dean Dickinson’s forthcoming book, The Bottom-Up Constitution: States and the Evolution of American Constitutional Law, explores the critical role state courts, state legislatures, and state constitutions have played in shaping federal constitutional law.

In addition to his prolific scholarship, Dickinson is a sought-after voice in national and international media. His commentary and op-eds have appeared in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, USA Today, Bloomberg, The Hill, The Atlantic, and MSNBC. Internationally, his work has been featured in BBC News, BBC UK, and other global publications.

Dickinson has taught first-year courses in Constitutional Law and Property, as well as upper-level courses in constitutional theory and race and the law. His engaging teaching style and innovative curriculum have inspired countless students and reflect his deep commitment to advancing knowledge in these critical areas of the law.

Local Impact

As a born and raised Pittsburgh native, Dean Dickinson is deeply connected to the region and the state and has built a career rooted in serving the local community. Dean Dickinson practiced law at Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh, where he represented corporate clients in complex transactions and litigation and gained significant experience in business development. He also founded and coordinated the Reed Smith’s Housing Rights Project, a pro bono initiative advocating for indigent tenants in eviction proceedings in collaboration with the Neighborhood Legal Services Association.

Before entering academia, Dean Dickinson clerked for the Honorable Theodore A. McKee, then-Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, based in Philadelphia.

Dean Dickinson is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and maintains a strong relationship with the local practicing bar. He frequently attends bar association events and engages with legal professionals across the region to strengthen connections between Pitt Law and the practicing legal community.

Dean Dickinson’s high name recognition in the Pittsburgh region stems from his frequent public appearances and contributions to local media. He regularly appears on local television and radio, including WTAE, KDKA, WPXI, andWESA, where he discusses pressing legal and social issues. He is also frequently quoted and interviewed in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Pittsburgh City Paper.

International Reach

Dickinson’s influence extends beyond Pittsburgh to the global stage. As a Fulbright Scholar in Johannesburg, South Africa, he studied comparative constitutional law and worked as a human rights advocate defending squatters facing eviction. He partnered with South African lawyers at the University of Witswatersrand’s Centre for Applied Legal Studies to organize and represent indigent communities in housing disputes. His Fulbright research was published in top-tier South African law reviews, which have subsequently been cited by international and South African courts.

Political Leadership and Experience

Dean Dickinson’s brings significant political experience to the Dean’s Office. His ability to connect with diverse communities and build broad coalitions informs his leadership as Dean. A former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, he ran high-profile campaigns in Pennsylvania Congressional Districts located in the Pittsburgh region 2020 and 2022. He raised over $1 million from individual donors.

Personal Background

Dickinson’s inspiring journey began in Allegheny County’s foster care system, where he was raised in a multiracial foster home with 11 children. His upbringing instilled a deep commitment to equity, opportunity, and public service. Today, Dickinson lives in Pittsburgh’s Regent Square neighborhood with his wife, Emily, their two daughters, Nyla and Aria, and their dog, Denzel.