معرفی
April M. Barton serves as Dean and Professor of Law at Duquesne University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law, a position she has held since 2019. Under her leadership, the law school has risen 40 spots in U.S. News and World Report rankings and achieved record application volumes and student metrics. She oversees approximately 70+ faculty and staff, 500+ students, and 9000+ alumni, guiding the institution with a focus on ethical legal practice, equal justice, and civic engagement.
Her educational background includes a J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and a B.S. from Moravian University.
Barton's research spans the intersection of law, technology, and leadership. She is a leading voice in AI Law & Policy, having developed curricular innovations in Technology and AI, and teaches courses on AI Law & Policy and Law & Leadership. Her work in cyberlaw dates back to the 1990s, addressing foundational issues in internet regulation, intellectual property, and digital rights. More recently, she focuses on leadership development in legal education, advocating for the integration of leadership skills as a core competency for lawyers. She has launched initiatives such as the Lawyers as Leaders program and a Mini-MBA for law students, emphasizing business acumen and ethical leadership.
Her publications reflect a trajectory from early cyberlaw scholarship to contemporary challenges in AI and legal education. She has consistently addressed the evolving relationship between law and technology, with recent work highlighting leadership as a critical component in preparing lawyers for the future.
Barton has secured significant institutional support, including facilitating a $50 million commitment from alumnus Thomas R. Kline, the largest gift in Duquesne University history. She has testified before the U.S. Congressional Commission on Online Child Protection and the European Commission's Venice Commission, and serves on national bodies such as the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Deans' Steering Committee. Her leadership extends to promoting diversity through the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition and advancing legal education innovation via national working groups.
She has spearheaded physical renovations of the law school building and developed international partnerships, including a faculty exchange with the University of Sorbonne, Paris.
