David J. Hickton founded the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security in 2017, where he serves as founding director. He holds faculty appointments in the School of Law, the School of Computing and Information, and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Hickton took a leave of absence from the university to serve as staff director and senior counsel to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis from 2020 to 2021. From 2010 to 2016, Hickton served as United States attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where he prosecuted groundbreaking cyber cases, including a first-of-its kind indictment against members of the Chinese military for economic espionage. Hickton had a distinguished career in private practice prior to his service as U.S. attorney and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Hickton has been admitted before numerous courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Hickton is a 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a 1981 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He began his legal career as a clerk for U.S. district judge Gustave Diamond. He has been named Pennsylvania Attorney of the Year, Distinguished Alumni of Pitt School of Law, and a University of Pittsburgh Legacy Laureate. He is also a recipient of the University of Pittsburgh 225th anniversary medallion, an honor bestowed on alumni who have brought particular honor to the university through their work and service.