Programming

Preserving Democracy: Bridging the Divide Between Rural and Urban America

April 15, 2021. Jen Giovannitti, President, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

Preserving Democracy: Time for Truth about Pennsylvania’s 2020 Presidential Election

February 4, 2021 David Thornburgh, President and CEO of The Committee of Seventy.

Governing in Crisis: Fostering a Fairer and Less Costly Criminal Justice System

President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark of Pennsylvania’s Fifth Judicial District.

Governing in Crisis: Battling COVID-19 with the Power of Science

Arthur S. Levine, former Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences - University of Pittsburgh.

Governing in Crisis: Battling Hunger in our Home Region.

December 1, 2020. Lisa Scales, CEO & President, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Governing in Crisis: Helping our Neighbors in Need.

November 17, 2020. Bobbi Watt Geer, CEO and President of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Governing in Crisis: The Role of Oversight in our Democracy

Susanne Sachsman Grooms, Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Governing in Crisis: Maintaining Law and Order While Preserving Democracy.

Harry Litman, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

Governing in Crisis: The Rule of Law and the United States Department of Justice.

Chuck Rosenberg, former U.S. Attorney, senior FBI official and DEA Chief.

Governing in Crisis: Ensuring our Elections are Fair and Safe

David Thornburgh, President and CEO, The Committee of Seventy; Founder, Draw the Lines; and Chair, Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission.

Governor Thornburgh

The Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law & Public Policy was established in 2007 at the late Dick Thornburgh’s Law School alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. In conjunction with the Dick Thornburgh Papers held by the University's Hillman Library, the Forum reflects Dick's lifelong work in public service. The Forum is in intended to foster discourse on issues vital to the preservation of our democratic system and the Rule of Law upon which that system depends.  

Special thanks to Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenberg who serves as the Director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum who has supported this effort since its inception, as well as to many others who have provided their time and resources and dedication throughout the years.