News

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is proud to prepare students for meaningful and successful careers in law. This year, several alumni earned spots on the prestigious 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists — national honors that recognize excellence and leadership in the legal field.

Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas, uses a rigorous, multiphase selection process combining peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Only 5 percent of attorneys in each state are named Super Lawyers, while just 2.5 percent are selected as Rising Stars—a designation for lawyers either 40 years old or younger or in practice for less than 10 years.

“I am proud of the number of our alums who made the Super Lawyers list, and I’m impressed with those recognized as Rising Stars,” said Dean andré douglas pond cummings. “It’s indicative of the quality of the education we provide here at Widener Law Commonwealth—and more than that, of the kind of students we attract: dedicated, passionate, and determined to make an impact.”

Among the Widener Law Commonwealth alumni honored this year is Rosina Stambaugh ’13, founder of The Law Office of Rosina C Stambaugh, a firm focused on immigration and crimmigration law, a practice area at the intersection of criminal and immigration law that addresses the immigration consequences of criminal convictions. Stambaugh was selected as a 2025 Rising Star, an award that she has been selected for since 2019.

A first-generation American, Stambaugh said her passion for immigration advocacy took root at Widener Law Commonwealth and deepened during early career experiences.

“My empathy for immigrants was deeply shaped by two early experiences: my work with the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center during law school and my clerkship with the York Immigration Court,” she said. “At PIRC, I met families facing overwhelming odds with resilience and grace. Their courage left a lasting impression on me.” 

“Widener gave me the opportunity to work directly with people and communities whose lives were impacted by the law—it helped me realize just how powerful legal advocacy could be,” she added.

Now a recognized advocate and community leader, Stambaugh attributes her success to transparency, diligence, and integrity.

“One of the strengths I bring to immigration and crimmigration work is an unwavering commitment to honesty—even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient,” she said. “What sets me apart is that I’m not just focused on winning cases—I’m focused on doing right by the people I serve and the profession I represent.”

Stambaugh has been widely recognized for her pro bono work and currently serves as vice chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Immigration Law Committee. She regularly encourages emerging lawyers to seek out meaningful experiences that expand their impact.

“To current students and recent graduates: lean into opportunities that challenge you and stretch your perspective,” she said. “Often, the quiet, consistent commitment to integrity and client care makes the greatest difference.”

Also named to the 2025 Super Lawyers list is Marianne Kreisher ’96, a certified elder law attorney and managing member of Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Kreisher has dedicated her practice to helping families navigate the complexities of long-term care, guardianships and estate planning.

“After graduating from Widener, I spent eight years as a deputy attorney general in the Criminal Appeals Section of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General,” Kreisher said. “My experience at Widener gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to take on that role right out of school—and it helped me discover the value of clear, compassionate advocacy.”

She later returned to her hometown of Bloomsburg and joined a general practice firm, where she noticed important legal details she wasn’t fully capturing—subtleties that often become clearer with deep specialization. That realization led her to pursue elder law certification at a time when fewer than 40 certified elder law attorneys were practicing in Pennsylvania.

“I saw how crucial it was to provide compassionate guidance during what is often a challenging time for families,” she explained. “There are not many resources out there, and many times families did not know where to turn. Elder law is the most fulfilling area of law I’ve practiced in—helping families facing emotional and financial challenges and being able to guide them to resources that could assist in their journey.”

Kreisher expanded her practice by earning national guardian certification and developing a dedicated guardianship division to serve individuals without family or those who have been exploited.

“We have put a team in place that is here to assist clients and their families throughout the aging process,” she said.
Kreisher believes her team-centered, client-focused approach has contributed to her recognition.

“This field of law lets me focus on the clients,” she said. “I invest time in understanding my clients, their families, and their goals for both life and legacy. Our office is approachable and supportive, committed to assisting clients and their families as they age.”

Her firm includes four social workers who advocate for clients and is a member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.

“Beyond legal documents, we guide clients through the aging process by leveraging community relationships to find answers,” she noted.

To law students and new lawyers, Kreisher offers grounded advice:
“Never stop learning—find an area of law that interests you and learn everything you can about it,” she advised. “My second piece of advice is to find a good work-life balance. Make time for yourself and your family, friends, and loved ones. It gives you a chance to recharge so that when you are ‘working,’ you are at your best.”

Another Widener alumna recognized on the 2025 Super Lawyers list is Regina M. Foley ’92, a partner at Raynes & Lawn in Philadelphia, where she concentrates her practice on catastrophic personal injury and medical negligence matters. Foley, who has earned national recognition for representing individuals and families in high-stakes cases, credits key experiences at Widener Harrisburg for shaping her approach to advocacy.

“I had two opportunities while I was at Widener Harrisburg that helped shape my approach to advocacy: I secured a job in the tort litigation section at the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office during my second year, working 25 to 30 hours a week. In my third year, I was a certified legal intern for the office, which allowed me to attend depositions, argue preliminary objections, and work collaboratively with senior AGs and get real-world, hands-on experience,” Foley explained. 

“Additionally, I was fortunate to participate in the ITAP program, a 10-day intensive trial advocacy program offered over spring break at the campus. During ITAP, we worked with lawyers and professors and did both a bench trial and a jury trial. Had I not attended Widener Harrisburg, I would not have had either opportunity.”

Foley, who has practiced civil litigation for more than three decades, said these experiences left a lasting impact. “At the time, I did not realize the impact these experiences had on me as a young lawyer; now having practiced for 33 years in civil litigation, I look back often and fondly on them,” she said. “They taught me the importance of diligence, dedication, perseverance, preparation and compassion — all traits I continue to utilize today advocating for my clients.”

Recognized as one of the top 50 women super lawyers in Pennsylvania since 2017, Foley shared the guiding principles that set her apart: “I approach every case with rigorous attention to detail and a tireless work ethic, ensuring that no aspect is overlooked and that my clients receive the strongest possible advocacy,” she said. “At the same time, I never lose sight of the human element. I lead with compassion—listening to my clients, understanding their needs, and making sure they feel heard and supported throughout the legal process.”

She encouraged current law students and early-career lawyers to embrace mentorship, hard work, and authentic relationships: “The legal field rewards diligence and consistency. There are no shortcuts to being respected—you earn it through the quality of your work, your reliability, and how you treat others,” she advised. “Prioritize relationships — not just networking. Invest in people, not just positions. Remember, careers in law are marathons, not sprints.”

Super Lawyers, which has been recognizing the profession’s top attorneys for over three decades, publishes its selections annually in Super Lawyers magazine and online at superlawyers.com. The resource is designed to help individuals and businesses find reputable legal counsel and has a wide readership in both digital and print formats.

For Stambaugh, the Rising Star distinction is a reminder of the mission that continues to drive her work. “Ultimately, strive to be the kind of lawyer who leaves the profession—and the people you serve—better than you found them,” she said.

“In every courtroom, boardroom, or community they serve, our alumni are leading with integrity and passion,” added cummings. “Their achievements on these lists reflect not only personal excellence but also the values at the heart of a Widener Law Commonwealth education.”

In total, 24 Widener Law Commonwealth alumni were named to the 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list and 33 alumni were recognized as Rising Stars, bringing the law school’s representation to 57 attorneys honored in Pennsylvania and Delaware for their outstanding professional achievements.

Super Lawyers:

• Allie, Meredith – Allie Law Group
• Bowser, Anthony T. – Krevsky Bowser LLC
• Burkholder, David M. – Wisler Pearlstine, LLP
• Cooper, Scott B. – Schmidt Kramer PC
• Crosby, Matthew S. – Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLP
• Daley, Patrick T. – Sweeney & Neary, LLP
• Foley, Regina M. – Raynes & Lawn
• Goldberg, Joshua B. – ARM Lawyers
• Haberman, Leonard P. – Haberman Law PC
• Hoover, Anthony M. – Levin Hoover Family Law Firm
• Jacob, Devon M. – Jacob Litigation, Inc.
• Karapelou, Dimitri L. – Musi, Merkins, Daubenberger & Clark, LLP
• Kreisher, Marianne – Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC
• Kramer, Mary – Murphy Law Group, LLC
• Lafferty, Frank – Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele
• McDonald Bissell, Meghan – Bennett, Bricklin & Saltzburg LLC
• Milby, Eric C. – Lundy, Beldecos & Milby, P.C.
• Moran, Robert T. – The Moran Law Group, LLC
• Rhodeside, Jesse – Marzzacco Niven & Associates
• Schuenemann, Latisha Bernard – Barley Snyder
• Smith, Michael B. – Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C.
• Sparacino, Cheri A. – Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
• Stambaugh, Rosina – The Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh
• Steinbacher, Julieanne E. – Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak
• Strubinger Jr., Gerald F. – Strubinger Law, P.C.
• Winter, Cory S. – Winter Law Firm LLC

Rising Stars:

• Bailey, Rebecca L. – Marzzacco Niven & Associates
• Bort, Olivia Unger – Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C.
•  Bucher, Robert – Murphy Sanchez PLLC
• Carter, J. Lynette – Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
• Dadoun, Yaël L. – Firm Unknown – Pennsylvania
• Daly, Kane – Simon & Simon, PC
• Donahue, Caitlin A. – Post & Schell, P.C.
• Ebbert, Coulter – Saxton & Stump
• Gilboy, Jacob M. – Marshall Dennehey
• Harshberger, Joshua – Jacobson & Julius
• Hicks, Alyssa – King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC
• Kramer, Mary – Murphy Law Group, LLC
• Lehman, Jessica M. – Hill, Turowski, James & Lehman, LLP
• Logan, Ryan M. – Post & Schell, P.C.
• Lombard, Benjamin – Weber Gallagher
• Love, Craig – Metzger Wickersham
• Lutz, Ava – Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP
• Mazzoni, Jordan – Marshall Dennehey
• Messinger, Myer S. – Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC
• Oldaker, Jacob D. – Gross McGinley, LLP
• Patsiopoulos, Konstantinos – Post & Schell, P.C.
• Paul, Inder Deep – Weber Gallagher
• Quinones, Joseph – Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele
• Raffaele, Franqui-Ann – Saxton & Stump
• Ryder, Kaleigh – Schmidt Kramer PC
• Santo, Nicole M. – Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, P.C.
• Sholley, Alexandra – Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP
• Spayde, Robert J. – Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLP
• Townes, Erica – Barley Snyder
• Weaver-Barbers, Theresa K. – Tanner Law Offices, LLC
• Zizzi, Kayla – Tucker Arensberg, P.C.