2023 Viewbook and Card | Widener Law Commonwealth in Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

PERSONAL. PRACTICAL. PROFESSIONAL.

HOME. ADVANTAGE.

Here, you’ll transform your world and launch your career with a personal, practical, and professional legal education. Located six miles from downtown Harrisburg, Widener Law Commonwealth is the only law school in Pennsylvania’s capital— and with that comes many personal and professional perks.

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

Central Pennsylvania offers the best of two worlds—the energy and convenience of an urban hub with the benefits of a small town. A lower cost of living than larger metropolitan areas, combined with fantastic arts, culture, dining, nightlife, and nature make the region an ideal se ing.

A TRANSFORMATIVE PLACE TO LEARN

Harrisburg is home to courts of every level, local and national law firms, and state government. Your law school journey will be fueled by countless opportunities to gain real-world experience, engage in professional development, and grow your legal network. Discover even more benefits to making Harrisburg home at commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/harrisburg.

PROXIMITY TO MAJOR CITIES

hours

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

OTHER AREA ATTRACTIONS

#1 in Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania

#38 in Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Add value to your degree and set yourself apart when you specialize in a particular area of law.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND SUSTAINABILITY CENTER explores how law can be used to address climate change, environmental rights, public health, and the protection of land, air, and water for future generations. The center emphasizes skills such as statutory analysis, writing, legislative drafting, and oral presentation.

BUSINESS ADVISING PROGRAM equips you to advise small and midsize businesses that drive the U.S. economy, as well as entrepreneurs launching business enterprises. You’ll put your skills to work outside the classroom during a transactional skills course, an educational competition, and opportunities to provide legal assistance to real clients.

LAW AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE focuses on the intersection of legislation, regulation, public policy, and the law. You’ll explore the inner workings of government and the roles that lawyers play in making and implementing law, such as writing legislation, representing clients before state agencies, and providing legal advice to elected officials.

EARN A CERTIFICATE IN:

• ADMINISTRATIVE/ CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

• ADVOCACY

• BUSINESS ADVISING

• ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

• LEGISLATION

INSIDER. ACCESS.

Accessible faculty who are renowned experts will make you feel like an insider from day one. Their legal scholarship and rich experience will provide unparalleled insight into the profession—and they’ll support every step of your law school journey, from course selection to bar preparation to career counseling.

Global, state, and local leaders engage with the law school community, exposing you to emerging topics highly relevant in today’s legal environment.

“As faculty, our top priority is our students’ success. On a broader scale, as professionals, we are committed to ensuring that the future lawyers we mentor possess the skills they need to effectively represent clients, make a difference in their communities, and lead meaningful lives and careers.”

MEET YOUR PROFESSORS

Get to know the distinguished faculty who will support you throughout your law school experience.

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

will be a cornerstone of your Widener Law Commonwealth education. As you gain specialized training and build your legal network, you’ll begin your rewarding and successful career.

CLINIC: As a participant in the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic, you’ll tackle real cases in the areas of administrative law, consumer law, elder law, or family law while being guided by clinic supervisors.

EXTERNSHIPS: Our location provides unparalleled access to a multitude of judicial, legal, and business externship opportunities. Along the way, you’ll form valuable connections with lawmakers and leaders.

“Widener Law Commonwealth is a distinguished institution that is renowned for its alumni and community programs. Through the mentorship of my professors, I developed the knowledge and skillset to assist those in need of legal services.”

~Shane Macas-Senn ‘23 Stewartstown, Pennsylvania

CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: Enhance your professional growth through networking events, mock interviews, educational lectures, and résumé-writing support.

BAR EXAM PREPARATION: Complete a fundamentals course that explores techniques for answering bar exam questions and acquaints you with exam materials.

PRACTICAL

LEARNING COURSES: Develop skills that will power your transition from the classroom to the courtroom or boardroom. Choose from a variety of courses, including negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, sustainability law practicum, and intensive trial advocacy.

HONOR SOCIETIES AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Join a welcoming group of students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about the impact of legal practice—and quick to support one another. You’ll develop leadership skills and meaningful connections that will enrich your education and life beyond law school.

“What drew me to Widener Law Commonwealth are the opportunities available outside of the classroom. From internships at the State Capitol, to working directly with professors, to collaborating with fellow students through a range of student organizations, there’s no shortage of opportunity for personal and professional growth.”

WHEN YOU GRADUATE,

you’ll launch more than a career. You’ll become part of an engaged, accomplished alumni network.

Since 1989, we’ve brought together remarkable people—diverse in backgrounds and united as part of a close-knit community, led by an active alumni association. Our alumni are eager to mentor students like you and connect recent graduates with new opportunities.

Thousands of alumni are practicing in 42 STATES across the country.

RECENT JOB TITLES AND EMPLOYERS OF ALUMNI

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FLEXIBLE ENROLLMENT OPTIONS:

Our extended division (part-time) program offers day and evening classes that enable you to balance law school with your busy schedule. Extended division students typically complete their required coursework in four years.

AFFORDABLE LEGAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

• Widener Law Commonwealth understands that legal education is a major investment and offers generous merit scholarship awards to incoming students in both the full- and part-time programs.

• Our tuition and fees are competitive, and we offer a number of endowed scholarships that award academic achievement in law school.

CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE

cwfinaid@widener.edu

717-541-3961

VETERAN FRIENDLY

Widener Law Commonwealth works with all chapters of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits and is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant.

Widener Law Commonwealth is ABA-approved: Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

The purpose of this viewbook is to provide prospective students with an overview of the curriculum, faculty, location, programs, and services at Widener Law Commonwealth. The information provided does not constitute a contract and is subject to change without notice.

ENTERING CLASS PROFILE * FALL 2023

LSAT GPA

Top 163 Top 4.03

75th 152 75th 3.60

Median 148 Median 3.34

25th 146 25th 3.00

Female 51%

Male 44%

Transgender/non-binary/undisclosed 5%

Age Range 21–44

Racial/Ethnic Diversity 28%

LGBTQ+ Representation 16%

First Generation College 37%

First Generation Law School 88%

Undergraduate Institutions Represented 94

Undergraduate Majors Represented 37

Full-Time Enrollment 111

Part-Time Enrollment 38

DEGREES OFFERED

JD (Juris Doctor)

JD/MBA (Online Master of Business Administration)

JD/MSLS (Master of Library Science)

RANKINGS THAT MATTER

• #1 Employment Honor Roll (preLaw Magazine)

• Top 10 Law School for State and Local Judicial Clerkships (Princeton Review)

• Top Law School for Trial Advocacy (preLaw Magazine)

• “A” Rating for Environmental Law (preLaw Magazine)

• Top Law School for Public Service: Government (preLaw Magazine)

• Most Improved Employment Rates (preLaw Magazine)

SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

Business Advising Program

Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic

Environmental Law and Sustainability Center

Law and Government Institute

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Administrative/Constitutional Law

Advocacy

Business Advising

Environmental Law

Legislation

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

Full-Time

Part-Time Day

Part-Time Evening

APPLICATION DEADLINES

January 1, 2024 — Early Decision

February 1, 2024 — Early Action

April 1, 2024 — Early Admission and Express Admission Programs

May 1, 2024 — Priority Application and Trial Admissions Program

July 1, 2024 — Final Application Deadline

APPLICATION FEE

$60 – Waived if application received by May 1st

3800 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

admitcwlaw@widener.edu | 717-541-3903

commonwealthlaw.widener.edu

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

MICHELLE HENRY

Class Year: 1994

Current Job Title/Employer: Attorney General of Pennsylvania

Current Location: Harrisburg, PA

Undergrad Institution: Allegheny College

“I chose Widener Law Commonwealth because it is a great location in the middle of the commonwealth, with many opportunities to begin a career in public service. Widener Law Commonwealth’s unique programs helped me hone my courtroom skills, practice thinking on my feet, and graduate feeling prepared for my chosen path.”

During her time at Widener Law Commonwealth, Henry credits her participation in the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP), as well as her participation in Moot Court and the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic in providing her substantial preparation to enter the profession.

QUINN YEARGAIN

Title: Assistant Professor of Law

Education: B.A., Univeristy of Central Florida, Summa Cum Laude; J.D., Emory University School of Law, High Honors, Order of the Coif

“The study and practice of law requires an understanding of how various areas of law fit together, and my goal as a professor is to not only guide students in making these connections, but to help them discover their passions among them.”

Experience — Prior to joining the Widener Law Commonwealth faculty, Professor Yeargain served as the associate director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and was appointed as a lecturer at the Yale School of the Environment. After graduation from law school, they served as a clerk for Judge R. Lanier Anderson III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Macon, Georgia. During their time at Emory University, Professor Yeargain served as the executive online editor of the Emory Law Journal and the Emory Law Supreme Court Advocacy Program.

Courses Taught — Property, Criminal Law, State Constitutional Law

JHANVI JAMINDAR

Expected Year of Graduation: 2024

Hometown City/State: Toronto, Ontario

Undergrad Institution: University of Guelph

“Widener Law Commonwealth has been an incredible experience for me. Not only have I had the chance to learn from some incredible and distinguished professors, but I have also been given some incredible opportunities. There is a lot to say about Widener but the community and individuals here are the best part of the school.”

Advice for new students — “Remember to just focus on your own work and try your best not to compare yourself with others. Everyone has a different journey.”

Extracurricular activities and interests: — Vice President of Business Law Society, Year Representative for Phi Alpha Delta and Student Bar Association, Student Ambassador, Research Assistant for Professor Yeargain and Dean Moringiello, Legal Extern at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Favorite quote — “Fight for the things you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you” ~Ruth Bader Ginsburg