Pat Gillen received a B.A. in History from Providence College, an M.A. in American History from Fordham University, and a J.D. and Ph.D in American History from the University of Notre Dame.

After graduating from Notre Dame Law School in 1992, he entered the practice of law and clerked for the Honorable Daniel A. Manion, Circuit Judge, for the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the Honorable Robert D. Potter, United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina.

Prior to joining Ave Maria School of Law, Pat focused his practice in the area of civil litigation, where he represented clients on a wide variety of matters involving civil rights and constitutional law.

Currently, Pat serves as an Associate Professor at Ave Maria School of Law, where he teaches Constitutional Law and American Legal History, among other subjects.  Pat also serves as special counsel for Thomas More Society and has assisted in its representation of clients in cases involving religious liberty and free speech.