The University of Pittsburgh School of Law announced recently that it raised $8 million during the 2024–25 fiscal year, marking one of the most significant fundraising totals in the school’s history.

Since getting a new dean in January — Jerry Dickinson, who has been on the law faculty since 2017 — the law school has been making strides to becoming a top 50 national law school, climbing to No. 79 this year in the U.S. News and World Report rankings.

Applications for the JD program have increased by 55% to 60% over last year, outpacing the national average of 23%, and the school placed first in the state in bar passage rates in February.

Dickinson called the $8 million total a powerful validation of the School’s trajectory.

“This fundraising haul is more than a number. I believe it’s a reflection of our community’s belief in Pitt Law’s vision,” he said. “Our alumni and friends are stepping up to help us build a dynamic, modern law school that can lead regionally and compete nationally. Their support is helping us strengthen student outcomes, faculty excellence, and long-term sustainability.”

He credited the school’s development team, Ben Ginsberg and Christina Daub, and a renewed relationship with the Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement Office as instrumental in Pitt Law’s recent fundraising successes.

The $8 million will be used to improve key areas across the school, including student support, tuition scholarships and faculty recruitment, along with enriched academic programming in public interest and business law.