Regent Square attorney honored as Shaler Area Distinguished Alumnus
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A 2005 Shaler Area graduate who founded Pittsburgh’s pro bono Housing Rights Project and is paving the way for affordable housing in the city’s Hill District has been chosen as the district’s annual Distinguished Alumnus.
Jerry Dickinson, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, was honored for his community activism that has largely focused on helping marginalized groups.
The Regent Square resident credited Shaler Area for setting him on the path toward serving the public.
“From serving as senior class president to editor-in-chief of The Oracle, to captaining the boys soccer team and serving as placekicker for the football team, I embraced all three worlds of academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities to build leadership skills that would prepare me for a career serving the public interest,” Dickinson said.
Previously an attorney at Pittsburgh’s Reed Smith LLP, Dickinson in 2014 founded the Housing Rights Project to advocate for indigent tenants undergoing eviction in Allegheny County. That effort was in conjunction with the Neighborhood Legal Services Association.
Today, he continues to represent poor tenants in eviction proceedings amid the pandemic and litigates fair housing cases in state court.
Dickinson earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. He earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
A Fulbright Scholar, Dickinson lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, and worked as a human rights activist and advocated on behalf of squatters in the inner city.
He also previously served as a law clerk for Theodore McKee, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, and has published editorials in national outlets such as The Washington Post and The Atlantic.
His written testimony was once invited to be included in a hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Shaler Area created the Distinguished Alumnus Award to recognize graduates of Shaler, Etna or Millvale who have made a valuable contribution to society, said Bethany Baker, communications specialist. A committee of teachers and administrators selects the winner each year.
“It is an honor,” said Dickinson, who received tenure from Pitt earlier this year.
“I thank the teachers, staff, administrators, mentors and many others at Shaler Area for providing me with a stellar education that prepared me for a career serving the public interest.”
Dickinson was celebrated during the district’s National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Nov. 5.
He reminded people to let passions blaze their trail.
“Success is not about being the fastest, strongest, or smartest at what you do,” he said. “Success is simply discovering what you love to do.”