16 minute read
Legal Eagles
Throughout Westminster’s
T170-year history, countless graduates have gone on to enjoy careers in the law.
Westminster’s strong liberal arts tradition and its focus on critical and analytical thinking has laid sturdy foundations for success in the legal profession for students from all disciplines.
Many of Westminster’s graduates are also alumni of prestigious law schools—Harvard, Georgetown University, Washington and Lee University, University of Virginia, Boston University, University of Pittsburgh, Case Western Reserve University, just to name a few. But now, through 3+3 partnerships with two Pennsylvania institutions— Duquesne University School of Law and Widener University Commonwealth Law School—today’s prospective law students can achieve their bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees in only six years.
While some of Mother Fair’s legal eagles practice in the courtroom, others ply their trade for a myriad of corporations and businesses, in regulatory agencies and serving the public in federal, state and local government posts. On the following pages, we are proud to showcase the outstanding professional accomplishments of some of our many extraordinary alumni attorneys—all of whom are grateful for their Westminster beginnings.
TOM TUPITZA ’79
Leadership skills honed at Westminster
While interning at the Washington, D.C.,
Woffice of the American Civil Liberties Union during his senior year, Tom Tupitza ’79 was asked to go to the Supreme Court to pick up a copy of a decision just handed down in an important women’s rights case. “They told me to read it over the phone to the law professor in New York City who had successfully argued the case," he says. The professor was none other than the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “Obviously I didn’t know who she was then, but I remember a delightful conversation with her. Within a year she had been appointed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.” Today, Tupitza serves as president at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., a position he’s held since 2007. An attorney with the firm since 1982, he advises clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors on finance, real estate and governance matters. An elected member of the American Law Institute and a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers, he serves as bond counsel in tax-exempt financing transactions. He is also listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in four practice areas, including Public Finance Law, for which he was named Lawyer of the Year in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area in 2020 and 2015.
At Westminster, Tupitza earned a B.A. degree with a double major in political science and business administration - management. He went on to earn a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as executive editor of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.
Tupitza decided in high school that he wanted to pursue a legal career. He choose Westminster for his undergraduate degree, because he wanted to attend a small, liberal arts college that was close to home. Just not too close.
“Westminster’s size, sense of community and values provided the inspiration and opportunity to develop leadership skills, which have been integral to my career and my volunteer service.”
One of Westminster’s consistent strengths, in Tupitza’s opinion, has been its faculty, who are excellent scholars but are also passionate about teaching and mentoring.
“So many of them contributed to my development. The late Wally Scheid, for example, who I never had as a classroom teacher, but who was my debate coach throughout my four years at Westminster, took a special interest in me and became a major influence,” says Tupitza.
Tupitza, who resides in his hometown of Erie, Pa., has a strong sense of civic responsibility and serves as director of several civic and charitable organizations.
“I think it’s important to give back to the community where I grew up and where I’ve enjoyed a rewarding career and life. Westminster helped instill that ethos in me,” he says.
A former chair and current member of Westminster’s Board of Trustees, he has also always tried to carve out time for his alma mater.
“Westminster was very generous to me,” he says, “something for which I continue to be grateful. In the years since, I have tried to pay the College back through my service and support.”
—Valentine Brkich ’97
From the Beltway and beyond
DEBORAH MAJORAS ’85
During the January term of her senior year, Deborah Platt Majoras
D’85 took an internship with the Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund. The intercultural studies major, who was planning on going into social work, wanted to see what it would be like to work in
Washington, D.C. It was a decision that would change her life. “That internship really piqued my interest in practicing law,” says Majoras. “It played a big part in where I am today.” As chief legal officer and secretary for Procter & Gamble, which she joined in 2008, she oversees a legal and government relations department that includes nearly 500 professionals. Previously, she served in the George W. Bush administration as chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), where she focused on ensuring data security and protecting consumers from emerging digital frauds and served as co-chair of the President’s
Identity Theft Task Force. Prior to the FTC, Majoras worked in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Then newly inaugurated
President Bush had appointed one of Majoras’ law partners to head the Antitrust Division at the DOJ, and he asked her to go with him and become a deputy assistant attorney general. Although she loved government service, she says it wasn’t without its challenges. “The key is to get right to the essence of a problem and then pull in the people who can think about issues in different ways and from different angles, even disagreeing, in order to find a better way.” Majoras has received several awards and honors, including
YWCA Career Woman of Achievement recipient, Corporate
Board Member’s “GCs to Watch” honoree and Ohio Women’s Bar Association Founder’s Award recipient. In 2020 she was named one of the Legends in Law by the Burton Awards.
It’s a long way from where she started out in high school, when just choosing a college could be a challenge.
“It’s fair to say that I got really lucky to have ended up at Westminster,” she says. “The Westminster brochures seemed to describe a genuine focus on people, and my gut feeling told me that I would fit in there. Both of those things turned out to be true.”
After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in intercultural studies that combined sociology, Spanish and Latin American studies, Majoras went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Majoras credits her professors at Westminster for challenging her to push herself—Nancy Mandlove (modern languages) and Gene Sharkey (history) in particular.
“They taught me how to think critically,” she says. “They pushed me to be a real problem-solver, someone who could take smart risks and communicate well. Practicing law is all about making judgments with confidence and advocating for a point of view. Developing those skills made an enormous difference.”
Despite her busy schedule, Majoras still makes time for Westminster. She is a past chair and current member of Westminster’s Board of Trustees.
“Westminster had such a big impact on me. Continuing to serve keeps me connected to my roots and gives me the opportunity to have an impact on others.”
—Valentine Brkich ’97
JEFFREY WILEY ’75
[WESTMINSTER PROFESSORS] NURTURED IN ME AN INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY THAT HAS STAYED WITH ME TO THIS DAY.” “ Intellectual curiosity piqued at Westminster
BBack when Jeff Wiley ’75 was in high school, he had different ideas about what he might do for a career.
In the ninth grade, he had to write a paper for a social studies class on his chosen profession, and he thought he might want to become a lawyer. “Later,” says Wiley, “I thought about returning for a while to the steel mill where I worked summers, or even better, tending bar in Key West. But law school beckoned.” After obtaining his B.A. from Westminster, Wiley went on to earn a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1978. Today, he serves as the managing director and chief operating officer at the law firm of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote in Pittsburgh, a position he has held since 1997. In this role he oversees the firm’s 20 offices, including its main office in Pittsburgh. Over the years Wiley’s practice has been in the areas of medical malpractice defense, commercial litigation, white-collar crime, railroad law and insurance defense. But as the firm has grown to its present size with approximately 200 lawyers, more and more of his time has been dedicated to management of the firm. “I spend at least half of my time traveling to the firm’s regional offices,” he says. “They need to feel a connection to the firm and to be reminded that they are critical to our success.” Prior to his current position, Wiley served as an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County in various trial units and as a legal adviser to two investigating grand juries. “My time there was invaluable to my development as a trial lawyer and also as a person.” Wiley chose Westminster because of its excellent reputation as a small liberal arts college that was relatively close to home. “The various times I was on campus just felt right,” he says.
Two professors in particular had a lasting impact on him: Gary Mullin and Tom Nichols, both in the political science department. “Each was demanding and challenging in his own way. They gave generously of their time out of the classroom,” says Wiley, “which is a Westminster hallmark. And perhaps most importantly, they nurtured in me an intellectual curiosity that has stayed with me to this day.”
Wiley says the foundation he received by getting a liberal arts education has been invaluable. “That, coupled with the development of the intellectual curiosity I referred to, prepared me well for law school and the practice of law in general.”
Wiley, who serves on several non-profit boards, is a past member of the Westminster Board of Trustees. He is set to return for another term in July.
As for the future, Wiley says he would love to teach, either at a law school or at the undergraduate level, possibly something along the lines of a criminal law or business course. “In the meantime, I’d like to continue staying at this firm as long as my partners let me.”
Of course, his curious nature leaves him open to other options as well. “You never know,” he says. “Perhaps that bartending job in Key West.”
—Valentine Brkich ’97
Similar paths, individual successes
JOAN LAWSON ’82 EMMA LAWSON ’18
AAs far back as they can both remember, Joan and Emma Lawson knew they wanted to step foot into the legal world one day. Fast forward to today where this motherdaughter duo both work in the public service field of law as public defenders. Joan Ziegler Lawson ’82, who double majored in history and political science at Westminster, entered Vanderbilt University Law School intending to study entertainment law. But after taking a handful of criminal law classes, Joan realized her path was changing. After earning her juris doctor degree, Joan clerked for Davidson County (Tennessee) Chancery Court before joining the Nashville Public Defender’s Office, where she has served the people of Music City for 37 years. Growing up going into the office with her mother, Emma Lawson ’18 was drawn early to a career in public service law. The only question: Defense or prosecution? Emma, who double majored in history and philosophy at Westminster, says internships during her undergraduate years helped her find the answer to that question. In fact, it was interning for a boutique law firm in Sydney, Australia, when Emma realized civil law was not the path for her.
While at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Emma gained additional experience interning with the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and the Suffolk (Ohio) County District Attorney’s Office. Today she is back in her home state of Tennessee serving as a prosecuting attorney for the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office.
For both mother and daughter, law school—and their professional successes—may not have been attainable without the generous financial scholarships Westminster offered during their undergraduate years. Both say they have their alma mater institution to thank for paving the way for their successes.
Joan recalls one of her career-defining moments as the time she obtained a not-guilty verdict in a homicide jury trial by asserting a self-defense claim. She was invited to discuss her experience at a Continuing Legal Education conference.
“It was really cool to be recognized as someone who has expert knowledge in their field,” says Joan.
As for Emma, her career-defining moment so far was when she was assigned several cases to handle on her own with supervision as needed.
“When I was handed that stack of files, I realized that I can actually do this and was more prepared than I thought,” says Emma.
Even though Joan and Emma have chosen different career paths, they both have the same words of advice for current Westminster students interested in careers in the legal profession: “If you are interested in law school, you don’t need a specific major. Major in what you are interested in, but don’t forget to take classes that hone your reading comprehension, writing and critical thinking skills. The legal field is very diverse and it allows you to combine whatever your interests are into a career that works for you.”
—Mackenzie Basalla ’19
RICK DEBLASIO ’11
SIMPLY PUT, ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I EVER MADE WAS ATTENDING WESTMINSTER.” “ Determination, hard work keys to success
IIf you ask Rick DeBlasio ’11 about his college days, he will tell you that he wouldn’t trade his Westminster College experience for anything.
“Simply put, one of the best decisions I ever made was attending Westminster,” says DeBlasio, a New Castle native.
The current in-house counsel for the Housing & Redevelopment
Insurance Exchange (HARIE) and Excalibur Insurance
Management Services in Pittsburgh, DeBlasio says it was his undergraduate studies as a political science major that attracted him to the study of law.
But the former outfielder for the Titan baseball team says one of his true mentors was his college bench coach, Larry Kelly. A practicing attorney for more than 30 years and a partner with the
New Castle-based law firm Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly and George,
Kelly was sharing more than ballfield strategy with DeBlasio.
“Seeing his passion for the legal world, and life in general, was inspirational,” he says.
After graduating from Westminster in 2011, DeBlasio went on to earn his juris doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 2014.
As in-house legal counsel at HAIRE, which specializes in insuring all forms of government entities, DeBlasio defends his clients against general liability and workers’ compensation claims. He also trains employees and employers on various issues all centered on workplace safety.
“I really love the day-to-day grind in my profession and knowing that all the work you put in is worth it at the end of the day,” says DeBlasio.
And that hard work is getting recognized. In 2018 he was named one of the “20s of 2018 Pittsburgh” by Whirl Magazine, which celebrates outstanding and successful people in their 20s within the City of Pittsburgh.
While Westminster paved the way to his law school success, it also led DeBlasio to his lifelong friends.
“I’m getting married in July and most of my groomsmen, including my best man, went to Westminster,” he says.
When asked about the advice he would offer to an undergraduate student interested in pursuing a career in the field of law, DeBlasio admits that it is a demanding line of work that requires a high level of attention to detail and preparation. But, he says, it is ultimately a rewarding career when the necessary time and energy are put into it.
“Success in the legal profession could mean changing someone’s life, society or even the world for the better—the opportunities are endless.”
—Mackenzie Basalla ’19
RACHEL SHERMAN ’13
[HER WESTMINSTER MENTOR] MESSAGED ME EVERY FEW MONTHS THROUGHOUT LAW SCHOOL TO CHECK IN.” “ Networking connections can lead the way
WWhen Rachel Sherman ‘13 was in high school, she had big dreams of becoming a forensic scientist to help solve criminal cases. When she took a deeper dive into learning more about the profession, she discovered that while she was interested in the idea of analyzing and interpreting evidence in a criminal investigation, she was bothered that she wouldn’t be involved with cases to the end. By the time she stepped onto Westminster’s campus as a first-year student, her mind was made up: she was going to be a lawyer. While she was a political science major and appreciated her professors in that discipline, it was one criminal justice studies course that had great impact. Taught by the late Robert Buehner Jr. ’75, an alumnus adjunct professor and former member of the Westminster Board of Trustees, the course required students to engage in mock court exercises by selecting different crimes committed in the movie “Animal House.”
She enjoyed the course content and Buehner’s teaching style, but she also appreciated his mentorship. Buehner, who served as the Montour County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney for 20 years, offered Sherman insight and support as an undergraduate and then later as a student at Penn State Law.
“He messaged me every few months throughout law school just to check in and give me tips on applying for internships. He even served as a reference for when I applied for a clerkship after law school graduation,” says Sherman.
After earning her law degree in 2017, Sherman spent two years clerking for the Centre County (Pennsylvania) Court of Common Pleas. There she learned how judges think, what they look for and what is not effective.
“I can’t imagine beginning a career as an attorney without that experience,” she says. “It’s surreal to be just out of law school and have a judge want to know your thoughts on cases and issues. I gained so much confidence from that experience.”
Today Sherman serves as an assistant district attorney in the Special Victims Unit of the York County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney’s Office. The work is challenging—they handle cases involving child victims and cases of a sexual nature—but rewarding.
Sherman says she feels fortunate to work under experienced supervisors who continuously teach and guide her in handling unique and challenging cases. And she’s finding successes of her own as well. Just this May, she earned the Outstanding Service-Assistant District Attorney recognition for her work over the past year.
Her biggest piece of advice to someone pursuing a similar field: talk to attorneys.
“Law school is no easy task and not a route I would have taken if I was unsure about a legal career. I think the best preparation is to talk to someone who is currently practicing,” says Sherman. “Most lawyers are eager to help students and young lawyers if you just reach out.”
—Mackenzie Basalla ’19
