Deborah Brake

Deborah Brake is a John E. Murray Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, serving as Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development. Her expertise spans gender equality, Title IX, sexual harassment, and employment discrimination. She holds a JD from Harvard Law School (magna cum laude) and a BA from Stanford University.

Brake’s research focuses on Title IX’s impact on sports and education equity, pregnancy discrimination, and retaliation law. Her seminal work includes Getting in the Game: Title IX and the Women’s Sports Revolution (2010) and co-authorship of Gender and Law: Theory, Doctrine, Commentary. Her scholarship has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and informed legislative reforms like the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Key Contributions:

• Testified before Congress on gender discrimination and equal pay
• Amicus briefs in landmark cases (e.g., Ledbetter v. Goodyear)
• Edited major works like The Oxford Handbook of Feminism and Law

Awards & Recognition:

• Yale/Stanford Junior Faculty Forum selection for her article Leveling Down
• Keynote speaker at major academic conferences (e.g., Tucker Center, Indiana University)

Academic Leadership: Brake bridges theory and practice, advocating for Title IX compliance in athletics and campus sexual misconduct policies. She has pioneered discussions on transgender inclusion in sports and the intersection of gender, health, and constitutional rights.