Professor Kirtley is Associate Professor of Law and Director of Clinics at the UW School of Law. Prior to teaching, Professor Kirtley was a partner in a Michigan law firm. His practice specialty was business law and commercial litigation.

He teaches courses in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and negotiations and supervises student practice in the Mediation Clinic. He has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School and Ohio State University College of Law.

Professor Kirtley has a private mediation practice, and conducts trainings in both negotiation and mediation. He is a frequent presenter in ADR meetings and conferences. Professor Kirtley has served as Chair (1992-93) of the ADR Section of the Washington State Bar Association. He has published several articles in the field of alternative dispute resolutions, including an article concerning mediation privilege statutes that won first prize in the 1995 CPR (Conflict Prevention & Resolution) Institute for Dispute Resolution Awards for Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution.