Widener University Commonwealth Law School

Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Name	Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Established	1989
Type	Private
Parent	Widener University
City	Harrisburg
State	Pennsylvania
Country	United States

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is a private law school located in Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania. It is one of two law schools operated by Widener University, with its sister campus located in Wilmington, Delaware. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. It focuses on providing legal education with particular strengths in government, administrative law, and appellate advocacy, leveraging its unique position in a state government center.

History

The law school was established in 1989 when Widener University acquired and merged with the former Harrisburg campus of the Delaware Law School. This merger integrated the institution into the Widener University system, creating a dual-campus law school model. The school's founding in the state capital was strategically designed to create a center for the study of public policy and government law. Throughout its history, it has developed strong connections with the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and numerous state agencies. Its location has been central to its mission of educating lawyers for public service and leadership within the intricate framework of state government.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, along with several dual-degree programs, including a J.D./Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Widener University and a J.D./Master of Public Administration (MPA). Its curriculum emphasizes practical skills through extensive clinical programs, externships, and simulation courses. Specialized academic centers include the Law & Government Institute and the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, which capitalize on the school's Harrisburg setting. The school is also home to the renowned Widener Law Review and the Widener Journal of Law, Economics & Race, providing students with significant scholarly publication opportunities. Its bar passage and employment outcomes are closely monitored by the American Bar Association.

Campus

The law school's campus is situated in Susquehanna Township, a suburb just northeast of downtown Harrisburg. The main facility, the AOPC Building, houses modern classrooms, the law library, moot court rooms, and faculty offices. The library serves as a selective depository for U.S. Government documents. The campus location provides students with direct access to externship sites at the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and numerous other state agencies and non-governmental organizations headquartered in the capital region.

Student life

Student life is governed by the Student Bar Association, which oversees more than 30 student organizations. These include the Black Law Students Association, the Women's Law Caucus, the Federalist Society, the American Constitution Society, and specialized groups focused on areas like environmental law and intellectual property law. Students regularly participate in interschool moot court and trial advocacy competitions, including the National Moot Court Competition. The school's Pro Bono Program encourages and coordinates student volunteer legal work with organizations such as MidPenn Legal Services and the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center.

Notable people

Notable alumni include former Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce Beemer, former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin, and former U.S. Representative Joseph M. McDade. The faculty has included scholars such as John L. Gedid, an expert in administrative law and rule of law development in Eastern Europe. Distinguished visitors and adjunct faculty often include sitting judges from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and attorneys from leading Harrisburg firms like McNees Wallace & Nurick.

Rankings and reputation

The school is consistently ranked in the tier 3 category by U.S. News & World Report in its annual list of best law schools. It receives particular recognition for the quality of its legal writing program and its part-time J.D. program. Its Law & Government Institute is widely regarded as a premier program for the study of state and local government law. The school's reputation is built on its strong placement of graduates in public sector positions within Pennsylvania government, the state judiciary, and non-profit advocacy organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic states.

Category:Law schools in Pennsylvania Category:Widener University Category:Educational institutions established in 1989 Category:Buildings and structures in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania