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Faculty In the Media

The following summary lists many of the instances during 2019 in which Widener Law Commonwealth faculty members have been quoted or featured in coverage by local, regional, or national news media organizations.

Please note that some news sites may require registration in order to view stories and some links may expire shortly after they are posted.

PENN LIVE

Who was the newsmaker of the decade? Tell us what you think 

December 13, 2019

In a list of the top newsmakers of the decade, this outlet recognizes Widener Commonwealth Law Scholar in Residence Donald A. Brown for his role as the first American to receive an international award for work on the ethics of climate change.

TRUTH OUT

Trump Has Built a Bureaucratic Wall to Keep Out Immigrants He Says He Wants 

December 7, 2019

Jill Family, professor and director of the Law and Government Institute at Widener Law Commonwealth, is quoted about a rise in administrative lawsuits challenging decisions on H-1Bs and other work visas.

PENNSYLVANIA CAPITAL-STAR

The impeachment evidence is plain as day. When will Republicans stop defending the indefensible? 

December 4, 2019

Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Emeritus Michael Cozzillio co-authors this opinion piece about the ongoing impeachment inquiry and hearings. 

FORBES

How Even Libertarians Can Tackle The Climate Crisis 

December 3, 2019

An article highlighting the publication "Legal Pathways To Deep Decarbonization In The United States” quotes the co-editor and Widener Law Commonwealth Professor John Dernbach, director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center.

MOTHER JONES

Trump Has Built a Wall of Bureaucracy to Keep Out the Very Immigrants He Says He Wants 

December 2, 2019

This investigative look at how the administration's immigration policy is impacting H-1B visas quotes Jill Family, professor and director of the Law and Government Institute at Widener Law Commonwealth, on why the number of lawsuits against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is increasing. Additional coverage featured in Yahoo! Finance

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Trump’s New Executive Orders Could Thwart His Immigration Policy 

November 25, 2019

An article outlining how new executive orders may lead to changes in how the administration approaches immigration policy features Jill Family, professor and director of the Law and Government Institute at Widener Law Commonwealth.

PENN LIVE

Enough already - we must act on climate change 

November 23, 2019

This letter-to-the-editor references the recent international honor awarded to Don Brown, Widener Commonwealth Law professor and scholar in residence, by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for his decades of work advocating climate change ethics.

PENN LIVE

Pa. professor wins international acclaim for pricking our consciences on climate change 

November 13, 2019

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization presented Donald Brown, scholar in residence for sustainability ethics and law at Widener Law Commonwealth, with the Avicenna Prize, a prestigious award that recognizes his advocacy on behalf of the world’s poor, who are most directly and urgently feeling the impacts of a changing climate.

PENN LIVE

Tammy Wynette would be so proud of Republicans today 

November 13, 2019

Michael J. Cozzillio, professor emeritus at Widener Law Commonwealth, co-authors this opinion piece in light of the ongoing congressional impeachment hearings.

PENNSYLVANIA CAPITAL-STAR

The Pa. Bar Association carefully creates judicial candidate ratings. But do they actually serve voters? 

November 1, 2019

As four candidates battle for two seats on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Michael Dimino discusses the role of judicial candidate ratings created by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

THE PROGRESS

Pennsylvania lawmakers aim to reform tax structure without creating new problems 

October 31, 2019

Michael Hussey, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor at Widener Law Commonwealth, is quoted in this article that explains lawmakers' attempts to examine the commonwealth’s tax structure. This article was also shared in the Courier Express and The Bradford Era.

READING EAGLE

Marsy's Law, explained: What you need to know about the crime victims' rights measure on the November 5 ballot 

October 24, 2019

Commonwealth Law Professor Michael Dimino is quoted in this article outlining an upcoming ballot question seeking to add crime victims' rights to the state constitution.

ABC 27

Man says Cumberland County judge ‘out of control’ 

October 17, 2019

Michael Dimino, professor at Widener Law Commonwealth, is featured in this broadcast news story about a Cumberland County judge's behavior and potential abuse of power.

MOTHER JONES

The Trump Administration Is Denying H-1B Visas at a Dizzying Rate, But It’s Hit a Snag 

October 17, 2019

Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Jill E. Family discussed H-1B visa denials. This story was written in collaboration with RevealNews.org and was also published in Truth Out.

ENERGY GOVERNANCE SOUTH AFRICA
What Climate Activists and the Media Should Learn from Greta Thunberg’s September 23 UN Speech
October 8, 2019
Donald Brown, scholar in residence for sustainability ethics and law through Widener Law Commonwealth's Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, writes about the power of Greta Thunberg’s speech at the UN Climate Action Summit.

THE READING EAGLE
Marsy's Law, explained: What you need to know about the crime victims' rights measure on the November 5 ballot
October 1, 2019
Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Michael R. Dimino is quoted in this article that examines an upcoming ballot question aiming to amend the state constitution to grant certain rights to crime victims.

BLOOMBERG LAW
Big Law Firms Draft Model Climate Laws in Pro Bono Project
September 26, 2019
More than 20 law firms have signed on to develop model laws and regulations created from recommendations outlined by John Dernbach, professor of environmental law and sustainability and director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center at Widener Law Commonwealth, in his co-edited book on policies to combat climate change. The ABA Journal shared this announcement as well.

GOLOCALPROV
Former Roger Williams President Santoro Passes Away at 77
September 10, 2019
Anthony Santoro, who was instrumental in expanding Widener University School of Law from Delaware into Pennsylvania, passed away at the age of 77 on Monday. Michael J. Cozzillio, emeritus professor of law at Widener Law Commonwealth wrote a tribute to former Dean Santoro in PennLive. His passing is already included in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

PENNLIVE
Stand up, your father’s passing
August 27, 2019
Michael J. Cozzillio, emeritus and distinguished professor of law at Widener Law Commonwealth, is a co-author on this opinion piece about the Republican party.

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Philly DA Larry Krasner said he offered suspect in police shooting a ‘phony baloney’ deal to surrender
August 16, 2019
Robert H. Davis Jr., adjunct professor of legal ethics at Widener Commonwealth Law, provides commentary on the ethics of the actions taken by Maurice Hill’s lawyer, the gunman who shot six officers and created a daylong stand off in North Philadelphia.

STRATEGY GIRL
Career Profile: Law Professor, Jill Family
August 14, 2019
Jill Family, professor of law and government at Widener Law Commonwealth, was interviewed for a Q&A about her career path.

PENNLIVE
Decency and courage -- they should still count for something
August 5, 2019
Widener Law Commonwealth's Emeritus Professor Michael J. Cozzillio co-authored this opinion piece that voices his perspective on the current state of political affairs in the U.S.

MARKET WATCH
UPDATE: Woman says she was partially blinded by a retractable dog leash purchased on Amazon — and wants the tech giant to be held liable
July 8, 2019
Christopher J. Robinette, professor of law at Widener Law Commonwealth, is quoted in an article examining a product liability lawsuit against Amazon that may make large tech companies responsible for the third party products that they sell.

APPELLATE ADVOCACY BLOG
Brief Writing: Where Do I Even Begin?
July 2, 2019
This blog post is written by Amanda L. Sholtis, professor of legal methods and director of academic success at Widener Law Commonwealth.

THE MORNING CALL
Your View: How ‘one fair minimum wage’ would reduce harassment in Pa.
June 14, 2019
This opinion piece is written by Randi Teplitz, assistant dean of students and deputy Title IX officer at Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

Pennsylvania must replace natural gas with non-fossil energy asap | Opinion
PennLive
June 8, 2019
Donald Brown, scholar in residence and professor of sustainability ethics and law at Widener Law Commonwealth, writes this opinion piece in support of adopting policies that will replace all fossil fuel technologies with technologies that don’t emit greenhouse gases.

How Lawyers Can Help Save The Planet
Law 360
May 21, 2019
John Dernbach, professor of environmental law and sustainability at Widener Law Commonwealth, co-authors this article sharing a legal toolkit with more than 1,000 specific recommendations for actions at the federal, state, and local levels and in the private sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislature is again courting changes for Pa. courts
The Philadelphia Inquirer
May 14, 2019
A look at anticipated changes on how state judges are appointed quotes Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Michael Dimino, an expert in constitutional and election law.

‘Well intentioned but impossible:’ Why critics say Marsy’s Law will undermine the rights of the accused
Pennsylvania Capital Star
May 13, 2019
Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Michael Dimino is quoted in an article that explores the idea of due process and how it intersects with state government.

Confronting climate change: WITF Smart Talk
State Impact
May 11, 2019
Originally featured last week on WITF’s Smart Talk, Commonwealth Law Professor of Environmental Law and Sustainability John Dernbach spoke about how to confront climate change and references his new book “Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States.”

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Penn Live
May 10, 2019
Commonwealth Law Emeritus Professor of Law Michael J. Cozzillio co-authored this opinion article.

Smart Talk
WITF
May 8, 2019
John Dernbach, Widener Commonwealth Law professor of environmental law and sustainability, is a featured guest on an episode centered on climate change.

ELI Publishes Book On Legal Pathways To Deep Decarbonization
JD Surpa
May 3, 2019
Commonwealth Professor of Environmental Law and Sustainability John Dernbach participated in a panel at the Environmental Law Institute on his latest book “Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States.”

Puerto Rico gubernatorial candidate Cruz, hostile to FOMB, could throw wrench into restructuring if elected
Debtwire (no link available)
May 1, 2019
Story quotes Commonwealth Law School Professor Juliet M. Moringiello on municipal bankruptcy practices.

Bring it on | Opinion
Penn Live
May 1, 2019
Michael J. Cozzillio, who co-wrote this op-ed in the wake of Robert Mueller’s report, is an emeritus professor of law at Widener Commonwealth Law.

Earth Day Road Trip to Char’s focuses on climate change
WITF
April 21, 2019
WITF’s Smart Talk takes a road trip today for Earth Day to talk with experts including Donald Brown, Scholar in Residence for Sustainability Ethics and Law in Widener Commonwealth Law’s Environmental Law and Sustainability Center.

WESA-FM (Radio)
April 18, 2019
John Dernbach, a professor of environmental law and sustainability at Commonwealth Law, was interviewed about Pennsylvania’s duty to address climate change under its environmental rights amendment.

Pa. to review sweeping carbon-cutting proposal, despite opposition
Pittsburgh-Post Gazette
April 16, 2019
The Environmental Quality Board voted to accept a rule-making petition, supported by the Widener Commonwealth Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, to create a Cap-And-Trade Program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania for evaluation. Commonwealth Professor of Environmental Law and Sustainability John Dernbach, one of the petitioners, is quoted. A similar story appeared in PA Environment Digest Blog and WITF.

These Lawyers Are Creating An ALEC For Climate Change
Clean Technica
April 5, 2019
John Dernbach, director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center at Widener University, co-published a 1,100-page compendium of policy ideas aimed at cutting carbon pollution in the United States.

Environmental lawyers fight fire with fire, adopt ALEC’s methods to tackle climate change
Think Progress
April 1, 2019
John Dernbach, director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center at Widener Commonwealth Law, co-published a 1,100-page compendium of policy ideas to inspire the development of new laws from lawyers across the United States that can then be distributed to local, state, and federal lawmakers.

New Book Arms Policymakers, Lawyers, Private Sector With Tools to Combat Climate Change in the United States
Environmental Law Institute
March 2019
John Dernbach, professor and director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center at Commonwealth Law, is one of the editors for a newly released book “Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States,” which details more than 1,000 recommendations covering a range of policy areas to reduce GHG emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050.

Widener, state bar team up for class on starting law firm
Central Penn Business Journal
March 14, 2019
Widener Law Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania Bar Association are partnering on a class that teaches students about starting and successfully managing a law firm. The story quotes Dean Christian Johnson, Eden L. Mandrell, director of the Career Development Office, and 2017 alum, Robert Moran, of the Moran Law Group, LLC.

Do dignity and equality matter as Americans go gray?
Patriot-News
February 16, 2019
Commonwealth Law Dean Christian Johnson and Professor Randy Lee co-authored an op-ed addressing the difficulties faced by some members of minority groups as they age. The op-ed ties into the topic of the Annual Dean’s Diversity Forum which will be held on the Widener Law Commonwealth campus today. The title of the forum is, Race and the Future of America’s Elderly: What Happens to You After You’ve Built the Present.

House Democratic Policy Committee Hears Testimony On Oil & Gas Industry Methane Leakage
PA Environmental Digest Blog
January 25, 2019
In a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing that discussed the impact of methane leakage on climate change, Commonwealth Law Professor and Scholar in Residence Donald Brown testified that the world must reduce greenhouse gases by 45 percent by 2030.

Trump’s Supreme Court Picks Could Trip Up Immigration Agenda
Bloomberg Law News
January 17, 2019
Article quotes Jill Family, professor of law and government at Commonwealth Law.

Community Briefs: Souper Bowl of Caring kicks off this Sunday in Springfield
Delaware County Daily Times
January 17, 2019
Commonwealth Law Professor and Scholar in Residence Don Brown will speak at a hearing to discuss the impact of methane leakage from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry on climate change.

Translating Economics for Immigration Policy
JOTWELL – Journal of Things We Like (Lots)
January 17, 2019
Commonwealth Professor of Law and Government Jill Family contributed an article examining Howard F. Chang’s The Economics of Immigration Reform and the importance of connecting disciplines.

Methane, Climate Change Public Hearing Is Jan. 24 in Havertown
Targeted News Service
January 14, 2019
Widener Commonwealth Law Professor Donald Brown will testify at the PA House Democratic Policy Committee on Jan. 24 to discuss the impact of methane leakage from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry on climate change.

A Grindr harassment suit could change the legal landscape for tech — and free speech
NBC News
January 5, 2019
Christopher Robinette, a law professor at Widener Commonwealth Law who specializes in products liability law, is quoted on a lawsuit filed against the dating app Grindr arguing that the tech company should face greater accountability for what happens on its platform, including harassment through fake profiles.

Chester County DA names former federal prosecutor to beef up pipeline probe
WHYY
January 5, 2019
Article quotes John Dernbach, a professor of environmental law at Widener Commonwealth Law, following an announcement from the Chester County’s District Attorney naming a former federal prosecutor with experience in environmental law to work on a criminal investigation into Sunoco’s controversial Mariner East 2 pipeline.

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