Louis S. Rulli

Louis S. Rulli is the Shuster Practice Professor of Law and Director of the Civil Practice Clinic and Legislative Clinic at Penn Carey Law School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a leading expert in public interest law, clinical legal education, legislation, and civil asset forfeiture, with a strong commitment to access to justice for low-income individuals.

His research focuses on civil forfeiture reform, legal ethics, and the rights of indigent clients. He has written extensively on how civil asset forfeiture disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and has advocated for legal reforms to protect innocent property owners. His work emphasizes the need for legal representation in civil proceedings and the expansion of pro bono services.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent scholarly focus on civil forfeiture, access to justice, legal ethics, and public interest lawyering. These works span law reviews, policy testimony, and public advocacy, reflecting a career dedicated to legal reform and clinical education. Key themes include the abuse of civil forfeiture, the need for counsel in civil cases, and systemic barriers to justice for the poor.

• University-wide Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (2006)
• Penn Carey Law’s Beacon Award for exemplary faculty commitment to pro bono service (2012)
• Community Legal Services’ Champion of Justice Award (2012)
• Villanova University’s Praxis Award in Professional Ethics (2015)
• AALS Father Robert Drinan Award (2019)
• Pennsylvania Bar Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Rulli has supervised numerous law students through clinical programs, training them to represent indigent clients in civil forfeiture and legislative advocacy. He has also advised on policy initiatives, served on judicial ethics committees, and contributed to legislative reform efforts. His leadership in legal services governance includes past roles with Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and the Women’s Law Project. He currently serves as Hearing Officer for the City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics and Access to Justice Advisor to the Philadelphia Bar Association.

He has directed clinical programs at Penn Law for over two decades, overseeing student representation in civil forfeiture cases, which has been featured in national media such as The New Yorker. His work bridges legal scholarship, clinical teaching, and public policy, making a significant impact on both legal education and justice reform.