Justice David N. Wecht

Term

January 2016 – January 2026

Education

  • Yale University, Yale College (B.A.), 1984. Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude.
  • Yale University, Yale Law School (J.D.), 1987. Notes Editor, The Yale Law Journal.

Professional Experience

  • Adjunct Professor, Duquesne University School Of Law, Pittsburgh, PA, 1997-Present.
  • Instructor, College of General Studies, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010-Present.
  • Visiting Professor, Harry Radzyner Law School, Reichman University, Herzliya, lsrael, July-August 2022.
  • Professor, Criminal Justice College, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China, November 2017-November 2020.
  • Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2012-2016.
  • Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, 2003-2012 (Administrative Judge, Family Division, 2009-2011).
  • Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court, Allegheny County, 1998-2003.
  • Partner, The Wecht Law Firm, Pittsburgh, PA, 1996-2003.
  • Associate, Katarincic & Salmon, Pittsburgh, PA, 1993-1996.
  • Associate, Williams & Connolly, Washington, DC, 1989-1993.
  • Law Clerk to Hon. George E. MacKinnon, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Washington, DC, 1987-1988.

Memberships and Associations

  • Member, American Law Institute.
  • Member, Judicial Education Advisory Board, Law and Economics Center, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University.
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science & Law, Duquesne University.
  • Member, American Bar Association.
  • Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association.
  • Member, Allegheny County Bar Association.

Awards and Honors

  • Jewish Law Day Award 2016, Louis D. Brandeis Law Society, Philadelphia, PA, May 10, 2016.
  • Humanitarian Award, J.N.L. Club, 2003.
  • Certificates of Recognition, Regional Development Funding Corp., Pittsburgh, PA, 2000, 2001.
  • U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Commander’s Award, Toys For Tots, 2001. Certificate of Recognition, Variety Club, The Children’s Charity, Pittsburgh, PA, 2000.
  • Honorary Citizenship, City of Harrisburg, PA, 2000.
  • The Fabulous Forty Under Forty Award, 1999.
  • Pittsburgh’s Fifty Finest Award, 1997.
  • Certificate of Distinguished Service, U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, 1989.

Publications

  • Wrestling With The Baer, 62 Duquesne Law Review _ (forthcoming Autumn 2023).
  • Nondelegation In Pennsylvania, 46 Harvard Journal Of Law & Public Policy 377 (Spring 2023) (with Lawrence McIntyre).
  • Incumbent Protection In Legislative Redistricting: First Principles And The Constitution, 32 Widener Commonwealth Law Review 1 (2023) (with Brett Graham).
  • Majoritarianism Run Riot: Christian Supremacism And The Religion Clauses, 58 Gonzaga Law Review 93 (2022/2023).
  • Breaking the Code of Deference: Judicial Review of Private Prisons, 96 Yale Law Journal 815 (March 1987).