About Peter Bowman
Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge is a distinguished legal scholar and educator based in Athens, Georgia. He has been a prominent figure at the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served as Dean from January 2015 to December 2024. During his tenure, the law school achieved historic rankings, set fundraising records, and expanded access to student financial aid—transforming the institution into a leader in legal education. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to academic excellence and student support, which contributed to the law school's reputation as one of the nation's top values in legal education. Rutledge's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1995. He then pursued a Master of Letters in Applied Ethics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar.
This international experience enriched his understanding of global legal perspectives. Subsequently, he earned his Juris Doctor with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 2001. While at Chicago, he was a Tony Patiño Scholar and served as Executive Editor of The University of Chicago Law Review, further honing his legal acumen and editorial skills. Before entering academia, Rutledge gained practical legal experience as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas during the 2001-2002 term. He also clerked for Chief Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. These clerkships provided him with invaluable insights into the judicial process at the highest levels. Following his clerkships, he practiced law at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, focusing on international dispute resolution and Supreme Court matters. His legal practice laid a strong foundation for his later academic pursuits. In 2024, Rutledge announced his decision to return to the faculty at the University of Georgia School of Law after a decade of impressive service as dean. His tenure was marked by significant achievements, including leading the law school to be consistently recognized as one of the nation's top values in legal education. Rutledge has also been active in professional circles, advising parties on matters of international dispute resolution and serving as an expert in both litigation and arbitration.
His expertise has made him a sought-after consultant in complex legal matters. In August 2024, Rutledge joined Morris, Manning & Martin as senior counsel in the firm's litigation practice in Atlanta. He focuses on building out an appellate practice and enhancing the firm's alternative dispute resolution capabilities with his significant international dispute resolution experience. His transition to private practice reflects a continued commitment to advancing legal education and practice, while also contributing to the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in the legal profession.
