Equity and Justice
Earn a Juris Doctor degree and join a community focused on equity and justice at Widener Law Commonwealth. Help promote social justice and create equal opportunities for marginalized communities in the legal profession and beyond.
Removing Barriers to Law School
With support from Widener Law Commonwealth student fellows, the Center for Equity and Justice assists in opening doors to legal careers that might otherwise be inaccessible through the LSAT prep pathway programs. These programs aren't just about improving test scores; it’s about empowering students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in law school and beyond.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
CENTER FOR EQUITY & JUSTICE STUDENT FELLOWSHIPS
Fellows contribute to key initiatives, gaining hands-on experience that bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. These fellowships enable law students to perform transformative social justice work.
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA LAW CLINIC
The clinic handles Administrative Law, Consumer Law, Elder Law, and Family Law cases. Clinic students gain both practical legal experience and the satisfaction that comes from helping people in the community who can't afford legal services. Over 250 civil cases are closed in an average year at the clinic.
PUBLIC INTEREST INITIATIVE (PII) PROGRAM
Serves as the center for student public interest work at Widener Law Commonwealth. Through the PII, you can improve your practical legal skills while providing services to benefit organizations or individuals dedicated to charitable works, civil liberties, or public rights.
Get Involved in Campus Life
Selected Campus Organizations
American Constitution Society (ACS)
Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, ACS members support and advocate for laws and legal systems that strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and redress the founding failures of our Constitution and enduring inequities in our laws in pursuit of realized equality.
Public Interest Law Society (PILS)
The Public Interest Law Society seeks to further the interests shared by the public and to promote the public good through use of the legal system.
Spirit of Service Association (SOS)
A principled consortium of individuals dedicated to serving the needs of active military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Every year, SOS partners with the Pennsylvania Bar Association to host Wills for Heroes events, where volunteers provide free basic estate planning for first responders and military veterans and their spouses.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Provides free income tax preparation assistance to low-income, elderly, and disabled taxpayers as well as to taxpayers for whom English is a second language. Student volunteers get free classroom training and certification by the IRS after satisfactorily completing an open book exam.