Overview
Rory Little analyzes critical issues for the development of trial-level strategy, as well as complex and challenging appellate matters. He personally handles appeals of exceptional importance and urgency.
Since 1994, Rory has served as a professor at Hastings College of the Law (University of California) in San Francisco, where he teaches courses in constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, and professional responsibility. Rory lectures nationally on appellate advocacy techniques, criminal law topics and legal ethics.
Rory practiced law for 12 years before entering academia. In addition to three years of private practice, he served as a federal prosecutor for the Organized Crime and Racketeering Strike Force, prosecuting cases of labor racketeering, money laundering, narcotics and other organized criminal activity. He also served as the chief of the Appellate Section for the US Attorney’s office for the Northern District of California, and has argued more than 50 cases in courts of appeals at the federal level. His governmental service includes a term as an associate deputy to Attorney General Janet Reno in the US Department of Justice, where he managed complex civil, criminal and ethics issues.
Rory served as a law clerk for US District Judge Louis Oberdorfer in Washington, DC. He then served as law clerk to US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart (retired), working on matters before various federal courts of appeals and was then hired to clerk full time for Justice William J. Brennan Jr. He also worked two-month stints as law clerk to Justices Lewis F. Powell and John Paul Stevens.
While at law school, Rory was director of the Yale Legal Services Organization and senior editor for the Yale Law Journal.
Recognitions
- The Legal 500 2010 to 2011, recognized as one of the leading appellate lawyers in the United States
- National Law Journal, 2010 Appellate Hot List
Community
- American Bar Association, served on Standing Committees for Professional Responsibility and for Criminal Justice Standards, currently serves as chair of the Criminal Amicus Briefing Committee and as reporter to the Task Force to Revise the Standards for Criminal Justice, Prosecutor and Defense Functions
Credentials
Education
Yale University – Yale Law School, JD, 1982
University of Virginia, BS, 1978
Admissions
California
District of Columbia
Courts / Agencies
Supreme Court of the United States
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
US District Court for the Northern District of California (trial bar)
US District Court for the District of Columbia (trial bar)
