Jules Epstein

Jules Epstein is the Edward D. Ohlbaum Professor of Law and Director of Advocacy Programs at Temple University Beasley School of Law. He is a former partner at the highly respected Philadelphia criminal defense and civil rights firm of Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing, Feinberg, & Lin LLP, where he remains of counsel. Professor Epstein teaches criminal law and evidence courses.

A 1978 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Professor Epstein began his legal career with the Defender Association of Philadelphia. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania from 1988 through 2006, has taught in and prepared materials for countless continuing legal education programs, and has authored dozens of articles and book chapters on criminal law and evidence topics. He served as a Professor of Law and the Director of the Taishoff Advocacy, Technology, and Public Service Institute at Widener School of Law before joining the faculty at Temple.

Professor Epstein’s work has concentrated, in recent years, on capital case, eyewitness, and forensics issues. He has taught death penalty law nationally to judges and attorneys, and continues to handle capital cases at the appellate and post conviction stages. In the area of eyewitness evidence, he has lectured, authored both articles and book chapters, and served as an expert witness.

Nationally, Professor Epstein served as a member of the National Commission on Forensic Science from 2013 until the Commission’s demise in 2017. He is faculty for the National Judicial College, teaching courses to judges in advanced evidence and capital case law. In Pennsylvania, he is a member of a group of lawyers, judges and academics revising the Suggested Standard Jury Instruction, Criminal, and served on a commission addressing issues in cases of wrongful convictions.

Education

Juris Doctor, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, 1978
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts (Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), University of Pennsylvania, 1975

Research & Teaching Areas

Criminal Law
Criminal Procedure
Evidence
Trial Advocacy
Areas of Expertise
Criminal Law and Procedure
Evidence
Trial Advocacy
Pennsylvania Criminal Law & Procedure
Death Penalty
Forensic Science