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who is Richard Bierschbach

Richard Bierschbach Biography – Early Life, Education, Career, Family and More

Profession: Dean
Nationality: American

Richard Bierschbach is an American legal scholar, professor, and administrator who has made a strong mark in higher education. Since 2017, he has served as Dean and John W. Reed Professor of Law at Wayne State University Law School, leading the institution to significant national recognition. With a background that includes clerkships at the U.S. Supreme Court and top federal courts, along with academic excellence at the University of Michigan, he is respected as both a scholar and a leader. His expertise in criminal law, procedure, and regulatory issues continues to shape discussions in legal academia and public policy.

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Richard Bierschbach Wiki/Bio

Full NameRichard A. Bierschbach
ProfessionDean, Professor of Law, Legal Scholar
Current ResidenceDetroit, Michigan, USA
NationalityAmerican
Table of Contents

Richard Bierschbach Early Life

Born in the mid-1970s, he grew up with a strong focus on education, which later shaped his academic journey. His upbringing and disciplined path through higher education suggest a family background that encouraged scholarship and professional achievement.

Richard Bierschbach Education

Bierschbach completed his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Michigan in 1994, graduating summa cum laude. He then attended the University of Michigan Law School, earning his J.D. in 1997. He graduated first in his class, receiving the Daniel H. Grady Prize and the Henry M. Bates Award, the law school’s highest honors. His outstanding academic record helped him secure prestigious clerkships and roles in government law offices.

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Richard Bierschbach Family Details

Richard Bierschbach maintains privacy around his family. He is married to Carina, and together they have two children. No further details about his parents or siblings are publicly available, as his focus remains on his professional contributions.

Richard Bierschbach Career

After law school, Richard Bierschbach clerked for Judge A. Raymond Randolph on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (1997–1998). He then became a Bristow Fellow in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Solicitor General (1998–2000). From 2000 to 2001, he clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court. He later worked as an Attorney-Adviser in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel (2001–2002).

In 2002, he entered academia at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University), where he became a respected scholar and eventually served as vice dean.

In August 2017, Bierschbach was appointed as the 12th Dean of Wayne State University Law School. Under his leadership, the school’s national ranking rose from 100th to 58th. He launched innovative programs such as a holistic defense partnership with the School of Social Work and strengthened ties between students, faculty, and the community.

His scholarship focuses on criminal law, criminal procedure, administrative law, and corporate crime. He is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and an elected member of the American Law Institute.

In September 2025, he was named Interim President of Wayne State University, further reflecting the trust placed in his leadership.

Career Milestones

MilestoneDetails
Law DegreeJ.D. from University of Michigan Law School, first in class (1997)
ClerkshipJustice Sandra Day O’Connor, U.S. Supreme Court (2000–2001)
DOJ RolesBristow Fellow (1998–2000); Attorney-Adviser, Office of Legal Counsel (2001–2002)
Cardozo LawProfessor and Vice Dean at Cardozo School of Law (2002–2017)
Wayne State DeanAppointed 12th Dean of Wayne State Law School (2017)
Ranking SuccessImproved law school’s rank from 100th to 58th (2017–2025)
Interim PresidentNamed interim president of Wayne State University (2025)

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