Abbey-Gail Morris ’26

Finding Her Place and Her Purpose: Abbey-Gail Morris Builds Community and Confidence Through Leadership at Widener Law Commonwealth

Abbey-Gail Morris didn’t grow up imagining herself in law school. She grew up in a warm Jamaican household in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where family gatherings were loud, joyful, and full of love. At 10 years old, she moved to the United States with her family, carrying with her a deep sense of resilience and a belief in hard work.

By the time she reached the University of Central Florida, Morris knew she wanted to pursue a career where she could advocate for others. She studied legal studies with a certificate in litigation and advocacy. Somewhere between courtroom simulations and late-night study sessions surrounded by stacks of LEGO bricks and five cats, she realized she wanted a law school that valued people as much as it valued doctrine.

That search brought her to Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

“I wanted a place that felt personal and community minded,” she said. “When I toured Widener, I could feel that energy right away. People genuinely wanted each other to succeed.”

For Morris, Widener Law Commonwealth wasn’t just the next academic step. It was a place that aligned with her values, particularly its commitment to public service, leadership and collaboration. As a first-generation law student, she knew she needed a community that made her feel seen and supported.

Her path into student leadership started with a meeting of the Women in Law Caucus. She walked in hoping to meet a few people. She left feeling inspired.

“I joined because I wanted to build meaningful relationships with other women in the legal community,” she said. “I admired how intentional the group was about being inclusive under President Angel Sanchez’s leadership.”

As the year went on, she realized she wanted to do more than attend meetings. She wanted to help the organization rebuild, grow, and reclaim its place as a vital student support network. That motivation led her to become the caucus’s director of internal operations.

In her role, Morris works behind the scenes to keep the organization running smoothly. She organizes events, supports outreach efforts, and helps guide the executive board through deadlines, planning and day-to-day coordination.

“I thrive in cross-functional environments,” she said. “This role lets me stay involved across the board, and it’s helped me grow as both a leader and collaborator.”

Her fingerprints are all over the organization’s resurgence. Engagement has skyrocketed, collaborations have expanded, and the Women in Law Caucus is now one of the most visible groups on campus. That momentum reflects her commitment to creating spaces where women feel connected and empowered.

One of those moments was deeply personal. Morris led the development of the breast cancer awareness bake sale, an initiative that hadn’t been emphasized in previous years.

“It’s a cause that means a lot to me,” she said. “We raised more than $200, but what stayed with me was how the event brought people together.”

This year, Morris is helping spearhead new collaborations with the Black Law Students Association, where she also serves as vice president, and the First Generation Legal Society. Together they organized a campus-wide canned food drive to raise awareness about the nationwide loss of food assistance benefits.

Her approach in every leadership role is the same. She wants to uplift people. She wants to open doors. She wants students to feel that they belong.

“My vision for the Women in Law Caucus is to keep growing it as a support system and a leadership incubator for women in the legal field,” she said. “I want us to honor the women who paved the way for us while empowering the students who will follow.”

After graduation and the bar exam, Morris hopes to practice immigration and family law, with an interest in potentially exploring medical malpractice. These practice areas fit naturally with the path she’s already carved for herself – one centered on empathy, advocacy and showing up for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Her work in the Women in Law Caucus has reinforced that calling.

“It taught me how important communication, collaboration and mentorship are,” she said. “Those soft skills matter just as much as knowing the blackletter law.”

Most of all, it taught her that women in the legal profession deserve to step into leadership unapologetically.

“Seeing women professors, judges, and attorneys who once sat exactly where I am now reminds me that representation matters,” she said. “We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to keep pushing for equity and inclusion.”

Her message to incoming students, especially women, is simple and encouraging.

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment to get involved. Just show up,” she said. “Volunteer, introduce yourself, try something new. You don’t need everything figured out to make an impact. Organizations like WIL remind you that you’re not alone, that you have a network of women rooting for you.”

Interview was conducted in Winter 2025.