History of the College of Law

Illinois College of Law; Founded by Howard N. Ogden (1864-1915), is established as a local proprietary law school designed to address efforts to raise the educational requirements for admission to the bar. Originally located at 160 W. Washington St.; by 1904 increasing enrollment required a move to a larger facility at 301 Erie. St. It was a thriving local bar school with a scholarly post-graduate program. Illinois College of Law is the only law school not on the east coast at the time, offering both day and evening instruction. It prospered for 15 years.

Leadership during this period:

Howard H. Ogden (College of Law Dean, 1910-1915)

Francis X. Busch (College of Law Dean - Evening Division 1913-1915, College of Law Dean, 1915-1925)

Milestones:

1912:

Illinois College of Law acquired by DePaul University. Both schools were experiencing declining enrollments, due to a fluctuating economy, and the merger proved to be beneficial to both institutions. The university’s enrollment doubled to approximately 400 students. Howard Ogden became the first non-Catholic trustee of the university and dean of the College of Law.

1913:

College of Law day division moved to North side campus building at Webster and Kenmore. Francis X. Busch (1879-1975) named as dean of the evening division, which remained at a separate downtown location (First, 301 Erie St. then 207 South Wabash Ave.)

1915:

On January 28th, Howard Ogden died. The law school passes to the university- Day and evening divisions merge under Dean Busch. Both divisions (along with the College of Commerce) relocated to the Tower Building at 6 North Michigan Ave.

1916:

Eleanor Blanche MacCarthy, the first woman to enroll after the merger, graduates with an LL.B. and a Ph.D.

New York Board of Regents recognizes DePaul College of Law, allowing graduates to practice in New York.

College of Law enrollment continues at approximately 200 student per year.

Leadership during this period:

Francis X. Busch (College of Law Dean - Evening Division 1913-1915, College of Law Dean, 1915-1925)

William Francis Clarke (Dean of the College of Law, 1925-1940)

Milestones:

1924:

DePaul College of Law accredited by the American Association of Law Schools.

1925:

DePaul College of Law accredited by the American Bar Association- Council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Enrollment climbs to 532.

Leadership during this period:

William Francis Clarke (Dean of the College of Law, 1925-1940)

Milestones:

1933:

Richard J. Daley (1902-1976); American politician and six term Mayor of Chicago (1955-1976), graduates as part of Class of 1933.

1939:

Photo: Members of the Junior Bar Association before and during a moot court session, 1939

Two photographs printed side by side. "Left photograph; Junior Bar Association Member Csar, Patek, Corrigan, O'Malley and Ward gather in conclave for the preparation of Moot Court briefs. "Right photograph; Junior Bar Association Staidness was not always the rule as witness this scene from a mock trial." Courtesy of University Archives, http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16106coll5/id/911/rec/4

Leadership during this period:

William Francis Clarke (Dean of the College of Law, 1925-1950)

Milestones:

1940:

Photo: Moot Court Team April 1940

"The DePaul University Moot Court Team is shown as it prepared its final brief before it was to meet Loyola University in the finals of the state-wide moot court team contest this afternoon, sponsored by the Illinois Bar Association. Members of the team (left to right, standing) Eugene Lieberman, Jack Hogan, and James Murray, and (seated) Bernice Goode and Joseph Zurawski."; publication notes. Stamped on the clipping: "APR 20 1940". Courtesy of the University Archives, http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16106coll5/id/914/rec/106

1945:

Albert E. Bennett (1914-1971); Illinois state senator (1957 – 1961; 1967-1971), graduates as part of the class of 1945.

1947:

Odas Nicholson (1924-2012), is the first Black women to graduate from the law school in 1947. Nicholson was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County by the Supreme Court of Illinois in November 1980 and was elected to a full term in November 1982 and served until her retirement in 1994. Nicholson was the first African-American woman assigned to the Law Division of the Court and the first woman assigned to the Motions Section where she served for eight years. She was also the first black WBAI president in 1973. Excerpts of the Chicago Defender, (https://chicagodefender.com/services-set-for-judge-odas-nicholson-2060/). Photo taken from the DePaulian 1947, courtesy of the university Archives, http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15448coll1/id/33114/rec/1

1948:

Photo: Students Studying in Law Library at 64. E. Lake St.

"Students Studying in the Law Library (Law Library 64. E Lake St.)". Courtesy of the University Archives, http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16106coll5/id/290/rec/5

Leadership during this period:

Harry Derward Taft (Dean of the College of Law, 1950-1956)

Daniel Patrick Ward (Dean of the College of Law, 1956-1961)

Milstones:

1952:

Benjamin L Hooks (1925-2010); American civil rights leader, and practicing attorney, Hooks served as executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1977 to 1992. Graduate of the class of 1952.

William J. Bauer (1926-); Senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, in Chicago. Previously served as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Graduate of the class of 1952.

1959:

Photo: Frank J. Lewis Building Dedication, May 2, 1959

"Formerly known as Kimball Hall, built in 1918 acquired in 1955 as gift from Lewis. Photograph taken at the dedication of Lewis Center with a military honor guard on either side of Mr. Lewis and Fr. Theodore J. Wangler C.M., V.P. Student Affairs." Courtesy of the University Archives, http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/dpubuilding/id/686/rec/1

Leadership during this period:

Daniel Patrick Ward (Dean of the College of Law, 1956-1961)

Philip Romiti (Dean of the College of Law, 1961-1969)

Milestones:

1964:

M. Cherif Bassiouni (1937-2017), joined the faculty where he taught until 2012, retiring as Emeritus Professor of Law. Prof. Bassiouni served in numerous United Nations positions and served as the consultant to the US Departments of State and Justice on many projects. He was a founding member of DePaul’s International Human Rights Law Institute.

1965:

John H. Stroger, Jr (1929-2008), was American politician who served from 1994 until 2006 as the first African-American president of the Cook County, Illinois Board of Commissioners. Stroger was a member of the Democratic Party. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and from 1992 to 1993 served as president of the National Association of Counties. Stroger is a graduate of the class of 1965.

1966:

Samuel K. Skinner (1938-) is an American politician, lawyer, and businessman. Skinner served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush. Prior to the Bush administration, Skinner served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois under President Gerald R. Ford from 1975-1977. Skinner is a graduate of the class of 1966.

1969:

Photo: Fran Stewart (73') and Dean Schillinger, BSU Strike of 1969

BSU member and Alumnus Francine Stewart Soliunas (Law Class of 1973; middle of photo) with Dean Schillinger (left in photo) during the Black Student Union Strike / Protest and SAC (Schmitt Academic Center) Building Occupation of 1969. Courtesy of the University Archives, http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16106coll5/id/1082/rec/4.1969 

Leadership during this period:

Robert G. Weclew (Acting Dean of the College of Law, 1970-1971)

Richard C. Groll (Dean of the College of Law, 1971-1978)

Elwin J. Griffith (Dean of the College of Law, 1978-1985)

Milestones:

1971:

James M. Lyons (1947-), is an attorney at law in Denver, Colorado. He is a commercial trial lawyer with extensive public service. Lyons is a graduate of the class of 1971.

1972:

College of Law opens the legal clinic to broaden opportunities to students through practical experience providing affordable legal aid to those who could not otherwise afford it. Information from University Archives http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16106coll4/id/26184/

Leadership during this period:

Elwin J. Griffith (Dean of the College of Law, 1978-1985)

John C. Roberts (Dean of the College of Law, 1986-1996)

Milestones:

1981:

A national Center for Church / State studies established in the College of Law to conduct research on church / state issues. The only one of its kind in the country, the center operated under the College of Law and developed a network of scholars and attorneys throughout the country to stimulate research in areas where government impinges on religious institutions. Information from University Archives http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16106coll4/id/26184/

1985:

The College of Law establishes the Health Law Institute, one of the first programs in the country to teach health law to law students and lawyers. The college launched a master's degree in health law, the only one of its kind in Chicago. Information from University Archives http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16106coll4/id/26184/ 

Leadership during this period:

John C. Roberts (Dean of the College of Law, 1986-1996)

Teree E. Foster (Dean of the College of Law, 1997-2001)

Milestones:

1990:

The International Human Rights Law Institute was founded in the College of Law, the first such center in the Midwest.

1994:

The Robert A. Clifford Chair in Tort Law and Social Policy was established. It was the first endowed chair in the College of Law (see 1992.)

1997:

The College of Law was ranked among the top 50 Law Schools nationally in awarding law degrees to Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans.

1998:

The College of Law established the International Criminal Justice and Weapons Control Center to address worldwide criminal justice issues and explore the legal aspects of controlling weapons of mass destruction. Under the co-direction of professors M. Cherif Bassiouni and Barry Kellman, the center conducted research and served as a legal and informational resource. The center continued Bassiouni's work on globally significant programs such as the establishment of a permanent international criminal court to try individuals charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The College of Law established the Center for Law and Science to identify, collect and analyze important scientific literature, related trials and appellate reviews of criminal and civil cases that have science issues as important components.

1999:

M. Cherif Bassiouni, a College of Law professor, longtime advocate of international peace and justice, and president of DePaul's International Human Rights Law Institute (see 1998), was nominated for the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize, the first DePaul faculty member so honored. He was nominated by The International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council of the United Nations, which said Bassiouni was the "single most driving force behind the global decision to establish the International Criminal Court."

Leadership during this period:

Teree E. Foster (Dean of the College of Law, 1997-2001)

Glen Weisenberger (Dean of the College of Law, 2002-2009)

Hon. Warren D. Wolfson (Dean of the College of Law, 2009-2011)

Milestones:

2000:

The College of Law established the Center for Justice in Capital Cases with the aid of funding from the Illinois State Appellate Defender's Office. Under the direction of Andrea Lyon, former chief of the Homicide Task Force for the Office of the Cook County Public Defender, the center served as a training ground for students interested in working on capital cases. It also provided attorneys with training and consultation resources to better represent their clients.

Order of Lincoln, Law professor M. Cherif Bassiouni was named a recipient of the Order of Lincoln medallion, the highest award given by the State of Illinois. He was recognized for his work in documenting atrocities in the Balkans in the 1990s and his ongoing commitment to international human rights. (See 1998.)

2002:

The College of Law creates the Dr. Florence Wissig Dunbar Program in Animal Rights Law.

2003:

With the generous support of the Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Law firm, the Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center is founded in the College of Law. The Family Law Center's goals are to provide students with high-level training and experiential learning in the field of family law, along with meaningful opportunities to assist underserved children and families through pro bono and community service opportunities within the Chicago community.

Outgoing Illinois Governor George Ryan pardoned four Death Row inmates and two other prisoners during a speech at DePaul's College of Law. Law professor Andrea Lyon was instrumental in representing the men. Gov. Ryan previously had placed a moratorium on all executions in Illinois because of concerns over Illinois' justice system.

Leadership during this period:

Hon. Warren D. Wolfson (Dean of the College of Law, 2009-2011)

Gregory A. Mark (Dean of the College of Law, 2011-2015)

Jennifer Rosato-Perea (Dean of the College of Law, 2015-current)

Milestones:

2016:

DePaul University College of Law's Black Law Students Association (BLSA) mock trial team members are the 2016 national champions of the NBLSA Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition.