Lecture and Speaker Series
Widener Law Commonwealth has a long history of welcoming global, state, and local leaders to speak to the law school community and the public on emerging topics relevant in today's legal environment.
Jurist in Residence Lecture Series
The Law and Government Institute’s Jurist in Residence Program brings prominent judges to the law school to share their expertise and engage with the law school community. Each jurist serves a two-year term where they teach specialized classes. The Jurist’s visit culminates with a lecture to the law school community on a timely and important legal topic of their interest or within their expertise.
Past Jurists in Residence
- Royce Morris, Judge on the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas
- Susan E. Schwab, Chief Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- P. Kevin Brobson, Justice on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- Mary H. Leavitt, President Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
- Thomas G. Saylor, Chief Justice Emeritus of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Dean’s Diversity Forum
As the law school’s longest running event, the annual Dean’s Diversity Forum is just one part of our efforts to celebrate diversity, bringing together some of the nation's most creative and innovative judges, scholars, and practitioners to have candid conversations on race, equity, inclusion and the law.
John Gedid Lecture Series
The Law and Government Institute’s lecture series honors John Gedid, one of the founders of Widener Law Commonwealth, the school’s first vice-dean and the founder of Widener’s Law and Government Institute. Professor Gedid has served as a wonderful mentor to every faculty member the school has hired. The series showcases the work of nationally recognized young scholars much the same way Professor Gedid has fostered, encouraged, and applauded the work of those who joined the school he helped to found.
The Justice William Strong Lecture Series
The Business Advising Program’s lecture series honors Justice William Strong, a business lawyer from central Pennsylvania who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court before serving as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. This series brings nationally recognized scholars and practitioners to discuss difficult ethical issues and situations confronting business lawyers.
Environmental Law Distinguished Speaker Series
The Environmental Law and Sustainability Center’s distinguished speaker series brings nationally and internationally known environmental scholars to the Widener Law Commonwealth campus to deliver presentations to the law school community on timely and important environmental law topics.
Dean’s Lecture Series
The Dean's Lecture Series brings leading stakeholders in the legal community to Widener Law Commonwealth for informative presentations and discussions with law school students, faculty, and staff. Presentations are held throughout the academic year and give attendees the opportunity to hear new perspectives on current legal topics.
View Recordings of our Lecture Events on YouTube
