The Dean's Corner
As Dean of Widener University Commonwealth Law School, I am honored to extend a warm welcome to you. At Widener Law Commonwealth, we take pride in fostering a legal education that is personal, practical, and professional, and I am excited to share the extraordinary achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for the legal profession and our communities.
Since I assumed the role of dean, our law school has reached significant milestones that exemplify our commitment to excellence. Our faculty have garnered national recognition for their groundbreaking scholarship and dedication to innovative teaching. Their expertise enriches not only the academic experience of our students but also the broader legal community.
Our students continue to amaze with their involvement in meaningful initiatives and impactful work, from advocating for underserved populations to excelling in moot court and legal competitions. Their drive and determination reflect the values we hold dear.
We are equally proud of our alumni, whose accomplishments serve as a testament to the strength of a Widener Law Commonwealth education. From being nominated to federal judicial seats to securing leadership roles through state-wide elections to becoming leaders of important national corporations across the country, our graduates are making a difference in every corner of the profession.
Our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to support our mission, have been recognized for their unwavering commitment to our students and the law school. Their efforts create a welcoming and inclusive environment that empowers everyone in our community.
One of the most exciting developments during my tenure has been the establishment of the Center for Equity & Justice. This new initiative underscores our dedication to advancing the opportunities for all people in the legal field and society at large. The center provides a platform for meaningful dialogue, research, and action to address critical social justice issues.
At Widener Law Commonwealth, we are committed to being more than just a law school. We are a community—a place where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and lead. We embrace the challenge of raising the bar and moving the ball forward, working tirelessly to ensure that our students leave not only as skilled legal professionals but also as ethical and engaged leaders.
I invite you to join me in celebrating all that we have accomplished and to stay connected with us as we continue to achieve new heights. I look forward to hearing from and collaborating with you as we collectively strengthen the legacy of Widener Law Commonwealth.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we will shape the future of law and justice.
With gratitude and enthusiasm,
andré douglas pond cummings
Dean and Professor of Law
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
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The Dean's Bio
andré douglas pond cummings is Dean at the Widener University Commonwealth Law School and Professor of Law having begun his deanship in June 2024. Previously, Dean cummings served as Associate Dean for Faculty Development and the Charles C. Baum Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law where he taught Business Associations, Contracts I and II, Corporate Justice, Entertainment Law, Policing & the Use of Force, Progressive Prosecution, and Hip Hop & the American Constitution. cummings was also Co-Founder and Co-Director of Bowen Law’s Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform. Dean cummings was previously a Professor of Law at West Virginia University College of Law and has been a Visiting Professor at numerous law schools, including the University of Iowa College of Law, the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and Temple University Japan Law School. Before entering the legal academy, cummings worked as a judicial law clerk for Chief Judge Joseph W. Hatchett of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and for Chief Justice Christine M. Durham of the Utah Supreme Court. Dean cummings practiced law at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago IL, focusing his practice on complex business transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and securities offerings of publicly traded companies. Simultaneously, cummings represented clients in the sports and entertainment industries, including athletes in the National Football League and Professional Bull Riders, record labels, motion picture production companies, and a variety of authors, including Hollywood screenwriters.
Dean cummings remains an active scholar having published more than forty (40) law review articles, including with the Washington University Law Review, the Indiana Law Journal, and the Utah Law Review, and three (3) books with his fourth book, "Ending the Racialized War on Drugs," currently under contract with the Cambridge University Press. cummings has received numerous awards over his career including recent Faculty Excellence Awards in Research & Scholarship, Social Justice, and Public Service from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and the University-wide Distinguished Professor Award by the West Virginia University Foundation. cummings has taught as an international Visiting Lecturer at the Fundação Getulio Vargas, Direito Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Universidade de Vila Velha in Vila Velha, Brazil, and Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico. cummings holds a JD from Howard University School of Law where he graduated cum laude.
