Rory Little, Professor of Law

Professor Little came to Hastings in 1994 after a distinguished 12-year career as a practicing litigation, criminal (defense and prosecution), and appellate lawyering career.  He is today a nationally recognized authority on criminal litigation ethics, federal criminal law, appellate litigation and constitutional issues. On three occasions he has been awarded the "Best Professor" designation by Hastings' third-year class.

Professor Little chairs and serves on various committees in the American Bar Association and Federal Bar Association; annually publishes a Review of the Supreme Court’s Term: Criminal Cases for the ABA; and serves as Reporter to the ABA’s Task Force to Revise the Criminal Justice Standards, Prosecution and Defense Functions.  He also occasionally serves as an expert witness in litigation matters; provides commentary on current legal issues for various print and electronic media; and maintains an Of Counsel position for appellate matters with the international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery. 

After graduating from Yale Law School, Professor Little served as law clerk to U.S. District Judge Louis F. Oberdorfer (Washington DC); Justice Potter Stewart (ret.), working on matters before the First, Third and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal; and Justice William J. Brennan Jr.  Professor Little also clerked part-time for Justices Powell, Stevens and Chief Justice Burger - a unique one-year experience.

Professor then practiced privately at Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin in Washington DC; and in 1987 he joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s Organized Crime & Racketeering Strike Force as a Trial Attorney.  In 1989 he became the Appellate Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California, and has now argued over 60 federal and state appeals while briefing many many more.  In 1996-97 Professor Little took a leave of absence from Hastings to serve as an Associate Deputy Attorney General in Washington D.C. under Attorney General Janet Reno and Deputy AG Jamie Gorelick.

Professor Little was born and raised in New Jersey, which probably explains a lot of things.  He has three children who keep getting older.  He used to run marathons and can occasionally be seen in running regalia, still staggering along.

Courses Taught: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Federal Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Legal Ethics (Professional Responsibility)