Faculty and Staff

From the Classroom to the Courtroom

DePaul Law faculty are dedicated educators who prepare the next generation of legal professionals through a balance of academic rigor and practical experience. Our full-time professors bring scholarly depth and a strong commitment to teaching and mentorship, while our adjunct faculty—practicing attorneys, judges and legal professionals—offer real-world insights that bring the law to life.

Each brings distinct strengths to the classroom, helping you connect legal theory to practical application. This balanced approach equips you with the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s legal landscape.

Explore the Law With Leading Faculty

Full-Time Faculty

Leading scholars, your dedicated mentors

Learn from distinguished scholars who are at the forefront of legal thought. They bring their research into the classroom, providing you with a deep and current understanding of the law.

Meet Our Full-Time Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Learn law from those who practice it every day

Our adjunct faculty are respected attorneys, judges and legal professionals from across Chicago. They provide insights from the front lines of the legal profession.

Meet Our Adjunct Faculty

Clinical Faculty

Guides for client-centered advocacy

Our clinical faculty are seasoned practitioners who will guide you through the process of representing actual clients. Under their mentorship, you will learn to apply legal theory to advocate for individuals and communities.

Meet Our Clinical Faculty

Legal Writing Faculty

Master legal writing and argumentation

Clear, compelling writing is a lawyer's most essential skill. Our legal writing faculty are dedicated specialists who provide one-on-one coaching to help you develop a clear and authoritative voice.

Meet Our Legal Writing Faculty

Emeriti Faculty

Architects of academic and ethical foundations

We honor the distinguished careers of our emeriti faculty, whose scholarship and dedication built the foundation of our institution. Their work continues to inform our community and sets the standard for academic excellence.

Meet Our Emeriti Faculty

Visiting Faculty and Fellows

New ideas, global viewpoints

DePaul Law regularly welcomes visiting scholars and fellows who enrich our curriculum and contribute to our vibrant intellectual atmosphere.

Visiting Faculty and Fellows

Faculty Expertise in Action

Jesse Cheng

Assistant Professor of Law

<div class="ck-content"><p>Jesse Cheng focuses on criminal law, sentencing and restorative justice. Most recently, he has explored the constitutional implications of capital sentencing and proposed a new framework for addressing disparities in death penalty cases.</p></div>

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Wendy Epstein

Vincent de Paul Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Professional Development

<div class="ck-content"><p>Wendy Epstein is a former partner with Kirland & Ellis LLP who focuses on health care law and policy. Most recently, she has researched how price transparency can empower patients in their health insurance decision-making processes, contributing to discussions about behavioral economics and health care access.</p></div>

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Max Helveston

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Law

<div class="ck-content"><p>Max Helveston, who practiced with Latham & Watkins LLP, focuses on consumer protection, insurance, health and commercial law, most recently investigating the responsibilities of social media influencers in disseminating health information.</p></div>

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Julie Lawton

Professor of Law and Founder of Our Business Law Clinic

<div class="ck-content"><p>Julie Lawton previously practiced with Morrison & Foerster LLP. She founded the DePaul Business Law Clinic and now leads our business law program, drawing on her extensive experience in consumer credit, real estate development and financial services.</p></div>

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Karl Lockhart

Assistant Professor of Law

<div class="ck-content"><p>Karl Lockhart, who practiced with Hogan Lovells US LLP, focuses on the intersections of corporate law and other business-related topics. He has most recently explored the concept of public interest damages, which could help small businesses protect their intellectual property rights.</p></div>

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Receive Guidance for Your Ambition

Our staff support every step of your journey

<div class="ck-content"><p>DePaul Law staff are active partners in your success. Whether you explore career paths with the Office of Professional & Career Development, meet with Student Affairs for academic advising or connect with one of our center or institute directors to discuss fellowship opportunities, you’ll find dedicated support tailored to your goals from your first semester through graduation and beyond.</p></div>