Professor Frankino graduated from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1962, where he was a member of the Catholic University Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. He was Teaching Fellow at Northwestern University School of Law (1962-63), Assistant Professor at Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law (1963-65), and a Professor at Villanova University School of Law (1965-71). He also was a Research Professor at the Institute of Comparative Law, University of Florence, Italy in 1970. He served as Dean of Creighton University School of Law from 1971-77, and was a partner at the law firm of Kutak, Rock & Huie from 1977-79. He was the Dean of the Columbus School of Law and the General Counsel of Catholic University of America from 1979-86. In 1986, he returned to Villanova as Dean, and served as Dean until 1997 when he resigned to assume a position on the faculty.

Professor Frankino is a member of the American Law Institute, and a fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation. He is also a Knight of Malta. His professional experience includes being a consultant for the American Bar Association and for the Association of American Law Schools.

Professor Frankino is active in the American Bar Association Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (CEELI). CEELI was formed by the ABA to facilitate the process of legal reform now underway in Central and Eastern Europe. Professor Frankino serves as a member of the Accreditation Committee of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the ABA. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Pennsylvania Futures Commission on Justice in the 21st Century.