Professor Gitelman earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University, and a Master of Laws from the University of Illinois. After teaching at the University of Denver College of Law and Duke University School of Law, Gitelman joined the University of Arkansas at Fayettteville Law School faculty in 1965. His area of scholarship focused on land use law and evidence. Other areas of interest included constitutional law, conflict of laws, education law, and social legislation. In 1978, Gitelman received the Distinguished award in Teaching presented by the Arkansas Alumni Association. Professor Gitelman was honored with the Cathey Award for his contributions to The Arkansas Lawyer, where he served as a member of the publication's Editorial Advisory Board. From 1991 to 1998, Gitelman served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the University of Arkansas School of Law.