The University of Pittsburgh School of Law is pleased to announce that Thomas (Tommy) Latino has been named Executive Director of the Professional Development Office (PDO), effective July 25.
In this role, Mr. Latino will provide the leadership and vision for a dynamic, responsive, and student-centered PDO. Mr. Latino joins Pitt Law from the Florida State University School of Law, where he served as the Career Advisor and Employer Development Manager. He worked with some of the nation's largest financial and legal firms, recruiting and placing graduates and experienced professionals at various levels across diverse sectors. During his tenure at FSU Law, Mr. Latino pioneered the ‘EPIC’ project; a project using theories from organizational behavior and business analytics to produce a highly unbiased, highly accurate predictive model for projecting fit within the Transactional and Litigation practice areas. This research was published in the June 2020 issue of Washington Lawyer magazine.
Mr. Latino has authored several articles discussing the strategic importance of diversity within the legal industry as well as various models employers could utilize the reduce turnover costs, enhance diversity, and increase net income. Mr. Latino developed his ‘business of law’ philosophy to advising during his MBA studies at the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary. Mr. Latino will advise Pitt Law students on the language of business as well as his ‘Firm of 1’ approach that has proven highly effective in providing students with a competitive advantage in the legal job market.
“When you consider how saturated the legal market is, especially for new law grads, it demands an innovative approach. I am looking forward to brining my design thinking and strategic vision to the students of Pitt Law.” said Latino. “I am very fortunate to have found an institution with the right leadership that recognizes the importance of innovative thinking.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Tommy Latino to the Pitt Law community as our new Executive Director of Professional Development,” said Dean Amy J. Wildermuth. “He is an accomplished career development professional and will be an incredible partner in strengthening the PDO’s services and expanding our programs in a complex and changing professional environment.”
Mr. Latino studied Political Science and International Economics at Beloit College, Law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biotechnology at Harvard University, and Business Administration at the College of William & Mary.