Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Two smiling special guests brought joy to our bar takers yesterday by helping to deliver snacks to them while they studied. The duo are daughters of adjunct professor Tom Cocchi, who teaches Core and Applied Competencies and is a vital member of our Bar Studies programming. He serves as a mentor during the summer as well and assists in preparing our graduates for one and done! 🍪🍫☕️

Over the summer, our Bar Studies department offers afternoon snacks and drinks to our bar studiers on campus, allowing us to connect with each bar taker individually and offer real-time counseling and support throughout the summer. Our programming embraces our law students from the moment they enter law school until after graduation and the bar examination. It is one of the many ways in which we live our Spiritan mission of serving God by serving others. ❤️💙

Congratulations to Professor Steven Baicker-McKee who received the Thomas R. Kline Excellence in Teaching Award at our 2026 Commencement!

This honor is awarded to a full-time faculty member who best demonstrates impactful and creative teaching methods that serve the pedagogical needs of our students and advance legal pedagogy generally. Professor Baicker-McKee received the award for his excellence in teaching Civil Procedure. Well done, Professor! 🥳

A surprised Professor Ashley London received the Association of Academic Support Educators (AASE) 2026 “Guiding Light” award. The honor recognizes a member of the academic and bar success community “who consistently serves as a source of guidance, wisdom, and support for others in ASP/ Bar Studies.”

Recipients of this special award have “steady presence and thoughtful guidance make our community stronger and more connected,” and who help others “find clarity, confidence, and direction in their work,” whether “though formal mentoring relationships, informal advice, institutional leadership, or modeling best practices.”

We are so proud of Professor London for her collaborative leadership, mentorship, thoughtfulness, and guidance. Congratulations on receiving this well-deserved honor! 🤩 🏆

“Law school has also given me extraordinary opportunities, including competing with the Appellate Moot Court Board, where I represented Duquesne Kline at the national level in two competitions. Experiences like these did more than strengthen my advocacy skills. These experiences have prepared me to enter the Pittsburgh legal community ready to make a meaningful impact.” - Kaelyn Underwood

Kaelyn was part of the Appellate Moot Court Board team of Elizabeth Stern, L’26, and Joe Kelly, L’26, who won first place at the prestigious ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (“NAAC”) in Chicago in April.

After bar passage, Kaelyn will join Fox Rothschild as an associate in the Pittsburgh office.

Our spring magazine features a story about veterans and active military members enhancing our law school. We also share alumni sweetheart stories and much more!

Read for a sneak peek: https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/law/alumni/salus-populi-magazine.php

It's never too early to prepare for the bar! Yesterday we hosted our double MPT practice session for our new grads (look at how many joined us)! During this time, there are 3 hours to take back-to-back MPTs. This practice is crucial because this is what our graduates will encounter on their first day of the bar exam. 📖⚖

We are happy to support bar prep by providing practice, lots of snacks, ear plugs, and support! 🙂

“My education at Duquesne Kline Law has prepared me for my profession by equipping me with the essential skills required to effectively advocate for any potential client. During my tenure at Duquesne Kline Law, I undertook assignments that challenged me to adopt positions I would not typically consider, requiring critical thinking to construct successful arguments from those perspectives.” -Seth Merryman, L’26

Upon passing the bar, Seth will join Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. as an associate. Congratulations, Seth!

Dean April Barton was honored recently with a 2026 Award of Distinction by the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania. She was one of several women who were honored for exceptional accomplishments in their respective fields, and for serving as role models to Girl Scouts today. Congratulations, Dean Barton!

“Duquesne Kline Law has instilled discipline, resilience, and a deep respect for practicing ethically. It taught me that the practice of law is not simply about being victorious, but about exercising sound judgment, upholding integrity, and serving others with professionalism," said Drew Gudenburr, L’26.

Drew served as a Junior Staff Member for Volume 63 of the Duquesne Law Review and on the Editorial Board for Volume 64. He served as the Executive Research Editor for Joule: Duquesne Kline Energy and Environmental Journal and was on the Executive Board of the Appellate Moot Court Board. He competed in the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition and the National Appellate Advocacy Competition. He also participated in the Veterans Clinic, where he was certified by the PA Supreme Court to assist veterans with legal matters, and was a member of the Leadership Fellows Program.

“I am beyond grateful for all of these opportunities I was provided and am eager to be in a position to give back in my future,” he said.

Drew plans to work at Wabtec Corporation in its in-house fellowship program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Growing up in Utah, Thane Zeeh, L’26, was surrounded by mountains, salt flats, and sand dunes. National Parks were short drives away, and he regularly visited them, taking in their majestic beauty. He gained a deep appreciation and care for the environment and journeyed to Duquesne Kline School of Law with an interest in environmental law.

Thane immediately found charm in Pittsburgh’s towering backdrop and the city’s accessibility. “I really like Pittsburgh, especially the cityscape in the summer. I love the walkability here and living downtown. I can walk to the courthouse, and the Environmental Hearing Board is within walking distance,” he said.

Enjoying city life, Thane immersed himself in learning the law and gained a deeper understanding of something he always cherished—the environment—and its relation to the law. Read more: https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/law/news/conservation-crusader.php