The University of Pittsburgh School of Law is proud to appoint two distinguished faculty members to an endowed chair and an endowed fellowship, recognizing their exceptional scholarship, teaching, and national impact in the legal field. Nominated by then-Interim Dean Mary Crossley and supported by Dean Jerry Dickinson, these appointments reflect the School of Law’s commitment to academic excellence and thought leadership.
William M. Carter, Jr.
Judge J. Quint Salmon and Anne Salmon Endowed Chair and Professor of Law
Professor William M. Carter, Jr., a nationally recognized expert in constitutional law, civil rights, and racial justice, has been appointed to Judge J. Quint Salmon and Anne Salmon Chair, designated for a scholar with preeminence in constitutional law.
“Professor Carter is one of the nation’s foremost legal scholars on the Thirteenth Amendment, the First Amendment, and civil rights issues,” said Dean Dickinson. “His brilliance in the classroom, his commitment to justice, and his influential scholarship make him more than deserving of this distinguished chair.”
Carter’s work has been published in leading journals such as the Columbia Law Review, Northwestern Law Review, Texas Law Review, and the Harvard Law Review Forum, as well as in books published by the Oxford and Cambridge University Presses. His research has been cited by federal courts, leading scholars, and major advocacy organizations. A four-time recipient of the Professor of the Year award, Carter is also deeply committed to teaching and mentoring.
“I’m deeply honored by this recognition and grateful to my colleagues and students,” said Carter. “This endowed Chair affirms the importance of pursuing research that advances equity and justice.”
Carter served as Dean of Pitt Law from 2012 to 2018 and has lectured nationwide and internationally, including at Harvard, Columbia, NYU, the Sorbonne, and the White House Counsel's Office. He earned his JD, magna cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Greer Donley
John B. Nicklas, Jr. Faculty Fellow
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development
Associate Professor of Law
Professor Greer Donley, a leading national expert on abortion law and reproductive justice, has been named the John B. Nicklas, Jr. Faculty Fellow. This fellowship supports faculty who demonstrate excellence in both teaching and scholarship.
“Professor Donley is at the forefront of one of the most urgent legal issues of our time—reproductive rights,” said Dean Dickinson. “Her scholarship is not only academically rigorous—it’s shaping real-world policy and public discourse.”
Donley’s work has appeared in top law reviews, including those of Stanford, Columbia, and Duke, has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court, and is widely covered in national media. She has played a pivotal role in shaping state-level abortion protections post-Dobbs, and her advocacy and academic impact have earned her numerous awards, including the Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award.
“This fellowship provides meaningful support for my ongoing work at a time when reproductive rights are under sustained attack,” said Donley. “I’m grateful to be part of a law school that values impactful, engaged scholarship.”
Before joining academia, Donley practiced healthcare and FDA law at Latham & Watkins and clerked for the Hon. Robert Sack on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the University of Michigan Law School.
“These appointments speak to the caliber of faculty at Pitt Law,” Dean Dickinson said. “Professors Carter and Donley are thought leaders whose work is transforming their fields. We are proud to support their continued excellence.”