2022 has been a busy and exciting year at Widener Law Commonwealth! The relentless work and efforts of our dedicated faculty, staff, alumni, and students contributed immensely to the growth of our law school. Below are a few of the many highlights from the past year.
Return to In-Person Events
As classes resumed for the Spring 2022 semester, we ushered in a careful and controlled approach to resuming on-campus in-person events, including our CLE and student events. Students participated in several events off campus as well, such as the special debate and panel discussion with medical residents at the annual Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society Conference. Additionally, for the first time, we held our graduation ceremony at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Harrisburg.
Our Evening at the Capitol event resumed after a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. This signature event honored Peggy Morningstar and Megan Martin with the law school’s Excellence in Public Service Award. Additionally, a special award was given to Daniel Schuckers in appreciation for his 15 years of service as an adjunct professor.
New Programs
The Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic began a new program designed to protect elderly citizens in Dauphin County. This year, five of the clinic interns took part in the county’s Pro Bono Guardianship Monitor Program, working with clinic director Mary Catherine Scott to ensure elderly residents are receiving proper care and reporting any issues or concerns to the court for additional follow-up and action.
The Business Advising Program launched the Justice William Strong Lecture Series. The event honors Justice Strong, a business lawyer from central Pennsylvania who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice before serving as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The lecture series brings nationally recognized scholars and practitioners to Widener Law Commonwealth to discuss challenging ethical issues and situations confronting business lawyers. Our first lecture featured Attorney Sandra Rocks from Cleary Gottlieb.
New Faculty and Administration
We welcomed Michelle Collazo Vos and Quinn Yeargain as our newest full-time professors. Vos has an extensive background in contract law, regulatory compliance, environmental law, land use law, and state and local government. Yeargain brings substantial expertise in state constitutional law, criminal law, environmental law, and state government. Both professors are a welcome complement to our team of respected legal scholars.
Attorney Nicole Antos joined our team as assistant dean of career development, providing students and alumni with vital career-related training and support. Prior to arriving at the law school, she served as the director of legal and community services at the Dauphin County Bar Association.
Leading the Legal Profession
Professor Jill Family was elected as the chair of the American Bar Association’s Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, where she is leading the section’s law reform efforts, educational programming, publications, and efforts to mentor future administrative law experts to discuss groundbreaking issues of administrative law.
Professor Juliet Moringiello was selected by the Uniform Law Committee to serve as co-chair of a committee on the use of tokens and related products in real property transactions, adding to her growing list of awards and accolades for her work in commercial law.
Associate Dean of Admissions Matthew Kerns was elected chair of the Association of American Law School’s Pre-Law Education and Admission to Law School Section.
Professor John Dernbach was awarded the Curtin Winsor award from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council for his substantial leadership and contributions to environmental law.
But that’s not all – Widener Law Commonwealth is fortunate to have faculty who have authored or co-authored several publications this year, which can be found at this link.
As we look back on our accomplishments in 2022, we also look forward to a bright and successful 2023 for our students, staff, and faculty.
