Widener Law Commonwealth Clinic Students Bring Estate Planning Services to Harrisburg Seniors
Students from Widener University Commonwealth Law School’s Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic visited B’Nai B’Rith Apartments on April 4 to provide free estate planning services to senior residents, part of the law school’s longstanding commitment to public service and experiential learning.
The student team—Kayden Rude, Karyna Vadalazkava, Aaron McLaughlin, Josh Henry, Gianna Ianni, Nico Cavalari and Griffin Smeltz—met with residents at the apartment complex, located at 130 S. Third St., to assist with drafting wills, powers of attorney and advanced healthcare directives.
“This is real, hands-on experience with clients who need meaningful legal help,” said Mary Catherine Scott, associate clinical professor of law and director of the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic. “Many of the people we serve are elderly or indigent, and would not otherwise be able to afford these services.”
Students who participate in the clinic receive academic credit while gaining experience in client counseling and document drafting under faculty supervision. Most are third-year law students, though second-year students can also participate depending on clinic enrollment and caseloads.
“These moments show students how law intersects with life,” Scott said. “They see the emotional weight of these decisions, and how vital legal documents can be in planning ahead—especially when families are involved.”
Scott, who sits on the Elder Justice Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, said the clinic partners with local organizations—including the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging—to identify community members in need of assistance.
“We try to alternate each spring semester between visiting B’Nai B’Rith in Harrisburg and the Hoy Towers in Swatara Township,” she said. “It’s important to be present in the community—and consistent.”
After Friday’s meetings, students will return in two weeks with a notary to finalize documents with clients. Copies will also be made for clients' records and their designated agents.
According to Scott, these services—if sought privately—could cost several hundred dollars. “Offering them at no cost is one way we’re helping close the justice gap for vulnerable populations,” she said.
For second-year student Karyna Vadalazkava, the experience underscored the power of combining legal education with meaningful community engagement.
“I am passionate about participating in community events and contributing to causes that are meaningful to me,” Vadalazkava said. “Regrettably, the elderly are frequently neglected. Consequently, I was thrilled when the opportunity to assist individuals at B’Nai B’Rith Apartments arose. Working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds is always a valuable educational experience, as it teaches us how to communicate with them and address their needs.”
Vadalazkava reflected on one client in particular, the plaintiff in a landmark 1998 Pennsylvania Supreme Court case involving name change procedures and gender-affirming care.
“This woman is truly extraordinary, and she expressed sentiments that were profound, insightful, and touching to me,” she said. “Her life story and perspective on life inspired me to write a story about her, as her narrative is undoubtedly valuable and deserves to be told. I was profoundly affected by her narrative.”
Vadalazkava emphasized the broader importance of the clinic’s work and the need for legal professionals to serve vulnerable and marginalized communities.
“Legal assistance is of the utmost importance, as not everyone possesses a law degree and legal assistance is typically costly,” she said. “Therefore, the work that the clinic does is absolutely crucial, and I only wish more people would become more involved. I aspire to always remember that there are vulnerable and marginalized communities in need of assistance, and I am committed to providing assistance in any way possible, regardless of the direction my career takes me in the future.”
Kaden Rude, a second-year law student, said the event brought together both the technical and human sides of practicing law.
“It felt amazing to apply my legal education in such a hands-on way,” Rude said. “All of the individuals that attended our event were very appreciative of the help that we were providing and were incredibly welcoming. I think my favorite aspect of the event was talking with and learning about each person’s life and being able to provide them with the help they need to get their estates in order.”
He added that the experience opened his eyes to the barriers many people face when it comes to legal access and planning for the future.
“It really showed me that, while it is incredibly important to know the law, it is equally important to be a good listener and communicator,” Rude said. “It showed me how important building trust with clients is, and I hope to apply these lessons to my future career so I can be the best advocate possible.”
The event was organized in collaboration with Natashia Woods, the services coordinator at B’Nai B’Rith Apartments.
“It means so much to have these services brought directly on site,” said Woods. “A lot of our folks don’t have transportation or a strong support system. When programs like the Central PA Law Clinic come in, it gives our residents access to legal help they might never receive otherwise.”
The program is just one of several initiatives through the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic, which also handles domestic violence, custody, and guardianship cases. Scott emphasized that the visibility of the clinic’s work helps prospective students and the broader public understand how Widener Law Commonwealth fosters a practical, professional, and community-centered legal education.“Our students don’t just talk about access to justice—they provide it,” Scott said.
