Tapping Reeve was an American lawyer and educator, best known for founding the first law school in the United States in 1784 in Litchfield, Connecticut. His school became a model for legal education and trained many prominent lawyers of the time, contributing significantly to the development of the American legal system. Reeve was also a notable figure in the early American legal community, serving as a judge and participating in various legal reforms. His contributions helped shape the profession and laid the groundwork for future legal education, influencing institutions like Harvard Law School and Yale Law School.