The University of Illinois College of Law is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony (“Tony”) Ghiotto as the inaugural director of the Kimball R. and Karen Gatsis Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism. Ghiotto will also serve as the director of the Trial Advocacy Program, and as a teaching assistant professor.
In this new position, Ghiotto will oversee the Anderson Center’s initial developmental phases and design and implement a strategic plan intended to further the “best in class” goal of the Center. He will also direct the College of Law’s successful Trial Advocacy, Trial Team, and Moot Court programs, as well as teach related courses, instructing students in basic and advanced trial advocacy techniques.
“Tony brings enormous insight, experience, energy, and creativity to this very important role at the College. We are thrilled to get him, and we look forward to the tremendous impact he will have on our one-of-a-kind Advocacy and Professionalism Center, and on our advocacy programs more generally,” said dean and Iwan Foundation Professor of Law Vikram Amar.
He added: “The incredible generosity of the Andersons and our (related) ability to recruit someone of Tony’s caliber have put advocacy at Illinois on a great footing.”
“As an exceptional teacher and experienced trial lawyer, Tony has the complete skill set necessary to lead the Anderson Center. Karen and I are very much looking forward to working with Tony,” said Anderson Center co-founder Kimball Anderson.
Ghiotto joins the College of Law from Campbell University, where he has been a member of the law faculty since 2017. His research and scholarship explore the intersection of criminal law, criminal procedure, administrative law, and national security law. He is a dedicated scholar and teacher, with his works appearing in the Harvard National Security Journal, the Buffalo Law Review, and the University of Baltimore Law Review, while also being selected by the Campbell Law student body as “Professor of the Year” in academic years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
Ghiotto has been active in Campbell Law’s nationally recognized advocacy program, where he regularly teaches trial advocacy, coaches competitive advocacy teams, and previously served as director of advocacy. In doing so, he draws on his nearly twelve years of experience as a judge advocate with the U.S. Air Force. While serving as an active duty judge advocate, Ghiotto prosecuted a wide range of felonies, served as an Air Staff legal advisor to the Air Force’s Judge Advocate General, and performed special duties at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Legal Policy Board, in its investigation and report to the Secretary of Defense regarding the military services responses to civilian casualties caused by American service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ghiotto also deployed to Parwan Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he represented the United States in over 100 Detainee Review Board hearings. He continues to serve in the rank of lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
Ghiotto is a proud product of Chicago’s south-suburbs. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Illinois, his Master of Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Force’s prestigious Air Command and Staff College, and his Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law.
Ghiotto spoke to us about what drew him to the position at the College of Law.
“Not only is the University of Illinois my undergraduate alma mater, but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the College of Law's inspired leadership, its prestigious and world class faculty, its highly credentialed and diverse student body, and its impressive alumni network. In an increasingly complex and divisive world, the courtroom will be the forum where many on these issues will be resolved. There's never been a greater need for professional and competent advocates.”
He added: “As the state's flagship university, our goal for the Anderson Center and for advocacy at the University of Illinois will be to tap into the vast resources and networks available to us to be the nation's top advocacy school, winning not only national recognition, but also producing professional and competent advocates that will litigate in real world courtrooms nationwide.”
Learn more about the Kimball R. and Karen Gatsis Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism online.