David F. Dieteman, M.A., J.D.

M.A., Philosophy, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1994); J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law (2000): An experienced civil litigator, transactional lawyer, and sports reporter, Dave studied Philosophy at Notre Dame under Alasdair MacIntyre and Ralph McInerny, and at CUA with Robert Sokolowski and Russell Hittinger. Research and teaching interests in the social, legal, and ethical environment of business, and the political philosophy of Friedrich Hayek and the Austrian School, the Thomistic philosophy of law, and ethics in the Western and Eastern traditions. He has practiced law since 2000, in both large and small firm environments, and is presently a solo practitioner. His legal practice includes business law, both transactional and litigation, labor and employment, civil trial and appellate litigation, real estate, and wills. He is also trained as a mediator in the federal courts.

Teaching 

Teaching Philosophy

I strive in my teaching to expose students to the essentials of the subject matter, to stimulate their passion for learning, to engage them with the material, and to help them sharpen their critical-thinking skills. In addition, as an attorney who regularly advises small businesses, I focus my approach to the material to the practical realities of business that my students are likely to encounter. I make reference to current events, and to my practical experience in legal matters, as the cases in today's headlines are often those cases that we most readily understand, and that illuminate the law and philosophical ethics.

Understanding that different persons have different ways of learning, I mix lectures with group projects, short case summaries, and longer case analyses, to provide students with different challenges and different means of being evaluated. In-class participation is encouraged and graded.

Courses Taught

• BA 241: Legal Environment of Business
• BA 242: Social and Ethical Environment of Business
• B LAW 441: Business Law II: Agency, Employment and Business Structure 

Service 

Speaking Engagements

• Ethics. Presented to the Presque Isle Chapter of Chartered Property Casualty
• Underwriters, Erie PA, 2010.

Participation in Community Affairs

• United Way. Volunteer for Penn State Erie, Erie PA, 2010.
• Membership in Professional Societies 
  • American Bar Association, 2000 –. 
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, 2000–.
  • Erie County Bar Association, 2000 –.