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Michael R. Dimino, Sr.

Professor of Law


PUBLICATIONS
SSRN Papers
Curriculum Vitae

Phone: 717.541.3941

“Teaching gives me the opportunity to think and talk with students about some of the most interesting and timeless questions that have been asked throughout history. When we consider issues of government power and individual rights, the students and I get to challenge each other to think not just about what justice is, but about the proper role of the law – and lawyers – in achieving it.” 

Professor Dimino teaches courses related to constitutional law, election law, federal courts, statutory interpretation, and criminal law. Professor Dimino graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1998 with degrees in political science and history. He then attended Harvard Law School, where he was Articles Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, and from which he graduated cum laude in 2001.

Professor Dimino served as Chief Clerk to Associate Judge Albert M. Rosenblatt of the New York State Court of Appeals, and then clerked for Senior Circuit Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and Judge Paul L. Friedman of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

A two-time recipient of Widener’s Douglas E. Ray Award for Faculty Scholarship, a two-time recipient of Widener’s Outstanding Professor Award, an elected member of the American Law Institute, and a Fulbright scholar, Professor Dimino has written extensively on constitutional law, free speech, and election law, and has co-authored Voting Rights and Election Law (3d ed. 2021); Congressional Investigations and Oversight (2d ed. 2023); The Best Candidate: Presidential Nomination in Polarized Times (2020); The Mueller Investigation and Beyond (2020); Understanding Election Law and Voting Rights (2016); and Sports Law: Cases and Materials (2d ed. 2007).

Professor Dimino is a long-suffering fan of the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills, and has refereed hockey for more than thirty years.

  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Criminal Law
  • Election Law
  • First Amendment
  • Legislation
  • Federal Courts
  • Administrative Law

Education

BS, State University of New York at Buffalo, summa cum laude
JD, Harvard University, cum laude

Experience

Law Clerk, Judge Paul L. Friedman, United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Law Clerk, Senior Circuit Judge Laurence H. Silberman, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Chief Law Clerk, Associate Judge Albert M. Rosenblatt, New York State Court of Appeals

Bar Admissions

New York
Pennsylvania

Memberships  

Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies (Member of the Executive Committee of the Free Speech and Election Law practice Group)
AALS Section on Election Law (Member of the Section’s Executive Committee)

Selected Media Coverage

WHTM-TV (ABC-27)
Michael Dimino provided analysis regarding a decision by a Pennsylvania school to close locker rooms amidst concerns about a transgender student on April 26, 2023.

YAHOO! NEWS
On November 18, 2022, Michael Dimino discussed recent claims made by Donald Trump regarding the 2020 election in Pennsylvania. 

WGAL-TV
Michael Dimino was featured on WGAL-TV's In Focus show discussing the PA U.S. Senate debate on October 31, 2022. 

WHP-TV (CBS21)
Michael Dimino was featured in a June 25, 2022 story focused on the upcoming gubernatorial race in Pennsylvania following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

ABC 27 (WHTM-TV)
Michael Dimino discussed the leaked draft U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v. Wade on May 3, 2022.

WGAL-TV
Following confirmation hearing coverage for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michael Dimino provided opinions and expectations on March 22, 2022 on how the U.S. Senate will vote.

WITF-FM
Michael Dimino discussed the infamous Plessy vs. Ferguson case on WITF-FM's Radio Smart Talk show on January 3, 2022

LANCASTER ONLINE
Michael Dimino provided commentary on 11/26/21 on a case in Lancaster County involving a candidate for school board who is challenging the Commonwealth Court's decision to not count certain write-in votes submitted through the county's election software.

ABC 27
Michael Dimino was included in story coverage on 9/1/21
Court says former Cumberland County judge should be disciplined for misconduct 
While the former common pleas judge resigned from the bench on June 1, it was important the Court of Judicial Discipline still issue an opinion on his case.

WITF-FM
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 3/16/17
Experts say ID requirement for Rep. Perry town hall on Saturday is legal

The Daily Signal
Michael Dimino was quoted on 3/3/17
3 Different Ways State GOP Lawmakers Are Fighting Sanctuary Cities

CBS 21
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 2/2/17
Trump's Supreme Court choice won't majorly change court decisions 

CBS 21
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 1/23/17
Trump signs executive order to leave TPP

The Daily Item
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 12/2/16
Election officials call cyber-attack theory far-fetched
This article also appeared in The Meadville Tribune

CBS 21
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 10/31/16
Judge retirement question on PA ballot has caused concerns

National Iraqi News Agency
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 9/12/16
Gun rights got approval from Federal judges

WHTM (ABC)
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 9/9/16
Federal judges grant gun rights to Midstaters with prior convictions

The News Journal
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 6/13/16
Pennsylvania suing Delaware in U.S. Supreme Court

Law360
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 5/5/16
Pa. Justice Recusals Renew Questions Over Judicial Elections

Patriot News
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 4/27/16
McGinty moves toward battle with Toomey, but larger forces are at hand

WITF-FM Smart Talk
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 3/7/16
Supreme Court replacement

WHTM-TV
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 2/15/16
Legal scholars say Scalia’s passing affects all of us

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 2/12/16
Pennsylvania treasurer race may hold key in budget standoff 

WHTM-TV
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 1/5/16
Law professor explains power of executive order

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Michael Dimino was quoted on 11/4/15
Donations from lawyers, labor fuel wins for Dems in Pa. Supreme Court race

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Michael Dimino was quoted on 10/25/15
The most significant race in recent memory for Pa. Supreme Court
Also appeared in the York Daily Record and the Lebanon Daily News.

The Pittsburgh Courier
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 10/20/15
The toll of campaigning in judicial elections

WHTM (ABC) 
Michael Dimino provided expert commentary on 10/15/15
Three open seats, history, on Pa. Supreme Court

Lexis Nexis
Michael Dominio was profiled on LexTalk on 9/18/15
Michael Dimino: Applying "The Rules" Both On and Off the Field

Herald Mail Media
Michael Dimino, provided expert commentary on 8/12/15
Pa. school board member required to prove residency

The News Journal
Michael Dimino, was quoted on 8/5/15
Battered but not broken, the Voting Rights Act turns 50

WHP-TV
Michael Dimino, provided expert commentary on 7/17/15
The legality of breaking into a car to save a pet from the heat

WDEL-FM
Michael Dimino, was a guest on 6/29/15
He discussed the Supreme Court’s decision on a redistricting case (no link available)

WHP-TV

Michael Dimino, was interviewed on 6/26/15
How Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Could Effect Religious Schools

York Dispatch
Michael Dimino and Robert Power, provided expert commentary on 6/24/15
Reilly campaign work broke law, but extent of wrongdoing unclear

WHP-TV (CBS)
Michael Dimino, was quoted on 6/1/15
Reid's misdemeanor may not impeach

Pennsylvania Cable Network
Michael Dimino, interviewed on 11/11/14
Discussed Justice McCaffery resignation and changes at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (no link available)

Mint Press News
Michael Dimino, Sr., quoted on 10/27/14
2014 Elections Paint Gruesome Future For Republican Party

WITF-FM Radio Smart Talk
Michael Dimino, interviewed on 07/01/14
Smart Talk: State budget update; Legal aid in civil cases; Contraception Supreme Court ruling

WDEL 1150 AM

Michael Dimino, interviewed on 06/26/14
Discussed Supreme Court decisions on presidential recess appointments (no link available)

WGAL-TV NBC

Michael Dimino, interviewed on 05/22/14
Discussed Governor Corbett's decision not to appeal same-sex marriage ruling

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Michael Dimino, interviewed on 04/23/14
Discussed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding Michigan's affirmative-action ban on the afternoon broadcast (no link available)

Delaware Grapevine

Michael Dimino., quoted on 03/27/14
The Bonini Bill

WHYY Newsworks, WITF-FM, and WESA-FM

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Pa. firm's challenge of contraception mandate (WHYY Newsworks on 03/24/14)
U.S. Supreme Court to hear midstate challenge of contraception mandate (WITF.org on 03/25/14)
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Local Challenge of Federal Contraception Mandate (WESA-FM on 03/24/14)

Pennsylvania Cable Network

Michael R. Dimino, served as a panelist on televised discussion on 01/29/14
Panel Discussion on voter ID legislation (no link available)

The York Record and The Patriot News

Michael Dimino, on Pennsylvania voter ID law
Accept, appeal or pass a new law: Options for voter ID supporters in Pennsylvania (York Record 01/19/14)
What could a voter ID appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court look like? (The Patriot-News on 01/17/14)

WDEL 1150 AM

Michael Dimino, interviewed on 01/13/14
Discussed Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in a case focused on presidential recess appointment power (no link available)

faculty directory a-d e-k l-p q-z