Donald N. Bersoff, a law professor emeritus at Villanova and Drexel University law schools who lived in Haverford and Radnor, was both a lawyer and psychologist who created a joint graduate program at the two law schools and at Hahnemann University.

The innovative programs were among the first in the country.

“He educated us all to the importance of the interaction of the two fields,” a former colleague said. “He contributed greatly to the field and moved it forward.“

Dr. Bersoff of Philadelphia died March 26. He was 85, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

He was also an author, consultant, mentor, volunteer, and a veteran..

He taught students, colleagues, and others how to navigate conflicts between law and psychology, conducting pioneering research in the law’s overall application to all behavioral sciences.

Dr. Bersoff championed legal and mental health services for all, as well as diversity in law, and international collaboration among lawyers and psychologists.

He focused his attention on law and psychology after witnessing unfair public school student placement policies while teaching psychology at Ohio State University and the University of Georgia in the 1970s.

Read more about the life of Dr. Donald N. Bersoff in The Philadelphia Inquirer.