Widener Law Commonwealth's Podcast

Classroom learning is certainly important during law school, but having practical experience in the field is also vital. In this Widener Law Commonwealth podcast episode, host Tara Mead talks with two students, Kimberly Marrera and Emily LaGreca, who share their own externship and internship opportunities and how valuable they've been to them. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in this episode: WLC Externships Webpage: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/externships/ WLC Clinic Webpage: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/civil-law-clinic/ Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

In this podcast, you'll hear from Paul Edger ’11, Widener Law Commonwealth's Alumni Association president, who shares his law school experience, some advice for current students, and ways alumni can connect with the WLC community. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in this episode: WLC Law Commonwealth Alumni Office Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/761377143953866 WLC Alumni LinkedIn group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7020856/ WidenerCONNECT https://connect.widener.edu/ WLC alumni website page https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/alumni-friends/a-strong-community/ Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

Making the decision to go to law school is a pretty significant step in starting your law career. So how do you determine which law school is right for you? In this podcast, host Tara Mead talks with Widener Law Commonwealth Associate Dean of Admission on the best ways to begin (and complete) your law school search to ensure it's the right fit. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in this Episode: WLC admissions office contact information Phone: 717-541-3903 Email: admitcwlaw@widener.edu Website: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/prospective-students/why-widener/ Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

Widener Law Commonwealth prides itself on having nationally and internationally recognized experts in a variety of legal fields, including environmental law. In our latest podcast, host Tara Mead talks with Professor John Dernbach, director of the law school's Environmental Law and Sustainability Center about his work, including his role in the recent COP27 international conference, a new book, and his future plans as he looks toward retirement next year. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in this Episode: Environmental Law and Sustainabililty Center ELSC blog Model sustainability ordinances from Professor Dernbach's Sustainability Law and Practice class John Dernbach's website Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

Widener Law Commonwealth's Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic offers students an opportunity to use and develop their legal skills to help people in need in our community. Podcast host Tara Mead talks with Professor Mary Catherine Scott, director of the clinic, on her work with the students, including their newest endeavor regarding legal issues impacting the elderly. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in this Episode: Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic 717-541-0320 https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/civil-law-clinic/ Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/departments/area_agency_on_aging/services/legal.php MidPenn Legal Services https://www.midpenn.org/ YWCA Domestic Violence Legal Center https://www.ywcahbg.org/programs/domestic-violence-legal-center Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

This episode contains discussions about human trafficking, sexual assault, and drug addiction. Listener discretion is advised. You may think that human trafficking only happens in big cities or isn't a huge problem in much of the country. You may be surprised to know just how prevalent it is, including here in Pennsylvania. Podcast host Tara Mead talks with anti-human trafficking expert Steve Turner about human trafficking, notably what future and current legal professionals need to know, and how they can play a vital role in helping victims. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in This Episode: The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg: 1-800-654-1211 The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 Pennsylvania Alliance Against Trafficking In Humans Route 15 Phamphlet (PDF) Recording from the CLE event Hiding in Plain Sight – Unmasking Human Trafficking (YouTube Link) Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

While gaining legal knowledge is first and foremost the focus of law students, it's also vital students have the right strategies in place to help them gain employment when they graduate. In this podcast, host Tara Mead talks with Eden Mandrell, assistant dean of Widener Law Commonwealth's Career Development Office, who discusses her role in helping current students and alumni in their job search and beyond Episode Transcript (PDF) Music Credit: LeChuckz

The COVID-19 pandemic certainly brought many challenges and changes in how we interacted, and that included our law school. In this podcast, we talked with Widener Law Commonwealth Dean Michael Hussey and Assistant Dean of Students Randi Teplitz on how those challenges were met, and lessons learned, moving forward. Episode Transcript (PDF) Music Credit: LeChuckz

Thinking about applying to law school? Our latest podcast with Associate Dean of Admission Matt Kerns discusses the application process and what that entails, things potential law school students should do (and not do), and dispels misconceptions about the law school application process. Episode Transcript (PDF) Resources Mentioned in this Episode https://www.lsac.org/lsat/prep https://cleoinc.org/ https://www.accesslex.org/pre-law-services Music Credit: LeChuckz

There's been a renewed focus on mental health and wellness over the past few years, and that includes law school students. Join podcast host Tara Mead as she talks with Professor Rebecca Waldemar and Dean of Students Randi Teplitz on how mindfulness and wellness can help students develop the essential skills they need to succeed. Episode Transcript (PDF) Mentioned in This Episode https://www.mindfulnessinlawsociety.org/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miracle-of-mindfulness-thich-nhat-hanh/1101968286https://insighttimer.com/ Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness for Lawyers -- some of the benefits! Music Credit: LeChuckz

In this episode, host Tara Mead talks with Legal Methods professors Amanda Sholtis and Anna Hemingway on how they help first year students with the challenges of law school, notably in the areas of communication and analysis of the law. Episode Transcript (PDF) Music Credit: LeChuckz

Thank you for listening to the Widener Law Commonwealth podcast. We have been on hiatus since May. Although our subseries Things I Wish I Knew has concluded, we are delighted to welcome our new host Tara Mead. Tara joined Widener Law Commonwealth this semester as the new marketing and communications manager. Her first episode will be released tomorrow and covers the struggles first year law students face and ideas about how to overcome them. If you have any podcast episode suggestions, please email them to webcwlaw@widener.edu. We look forward to sharing new content with you soon.

One of the joys of being a Widener Law Commonwealth student is meeting alumni. Gabriella Romeo ’21, Student Bar Association President, interviewed alumnus Anthony Cox ’17. In-person restrictions did not keep them from a fun and engaging interview. In addition to his comments during the interview, Anthony emphasizes the importance of mentorship. "Seek mentorship. My motto is make it to the top and send the ladder back down to help others up. There is nothing like having someone guide you up the ladder who has been up before." Anthony D. Cox Jr. is an associate attorney at Dickie McCamey and Chilcote. His practice consists primary of civil and commercial litigation on the defense side. Anthony is also the chair of the firm’s professional licensing defense group where he represents professionals before state and federal agencies. Anthony is a May 2017 graduate of Widener Commonwealth where he served as President of BLSA for two-years; and editor on the Law Review; the President of Moot Court; and a Vice-President for the Trial Advocacy Honor Society. Anthony currently serves on the Widener Commonwealth Alumni Board; Dean’s Diversity Board; and is the Co-Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Minority Bar Committee. Anthony is passionate about assisting BLSA and mentoring Widener Commonwealth students. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. #lawschool​ #lawstudents​ #alumni​ #WidenerLawCW​ #WidenerPride​ #prelaw Music Credit: LeChuckz

One of the joys of being a Widener Law Commonwealth student is meeting alumni. Gabriella Romeo ’21, Student Bar Association President, interviewed alumnus Prince Holloway ’08. In-person restrictions did not keep them from a fun and engaging interview. As a Trial attorney at Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Law, Prince is dedicated to standing up for both the injured and the innocent. He is the unique attorney that practices and produces results in both plaintiffs’ civil litigation and criminal defense. Prince’s civil practice concentrates on helping catastrophically injured persons obtain the compensation they deserve. Prior to joining Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Law, he served as an Associate at a well-respected personal injury firm based in Philadelphia. In this role, he gained invaluable trial experience and developed an interest in representing children and the elderly who were abused and neglected in the foster care and nursing home settings. He has also successfully represented numerous individuals injured by motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and medical negligence. Prince takes great pride in representing victims of crimes and has brought claims against Universities, bars and restaurants. With respect to his criminal practice, Prince represents clients facing all manner of criminal charges, including DUIs. Having previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County, he successfully prosecuted DUI cases and major felony crimes, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and narcotics violations. This varied and extensive experience further demonstrates Prince’s trial expertise, as well as his thorough understanding of how to build a strong case through investigation and evidence gathering. In 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, Prince was named as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” an award bestowed on the top 2.5% of all lawyers in Pennsylvania under the age of 40. Prince is currently licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and the State of New Jersey. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Prince is a loyal Philadelphia sports fan. He enjoys playing basketball and flag football, as well as attending concerts. Prince lives in the East Falls section of Philadelphia with his wife and three children Charlie, Frankie and Ace. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Music Credit: LeChuckz

The 14th Annual Dean’s Diversity Forum Faith in the Future: America’s Ongoing Quest to Build a Diverse Democracy. Keynote Speaker: Vincent Rougeau Vincent Rougeau is the dean of Boston College Law School, the inaugural director of the new Boston College Forum on Racial Justice in America, and the 2021 president of the American Association of Law Schools. Dean Rougeau has just been named the first lay president of the College of the Holy Cross. Panelists Iva Ferrell, Associate Professor of Legal Methods at Delaware Law School The Honorable Royce L. Morris, Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Joseph Robinson, Executive Director at the MLK Leadership Development Institute Books referenced during the presentation include: Caste – Isabel Wilkerson My Grandmother’s Hands – Resmaa Menakem How to be Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 – Ibram X. Kendi The New Jim Crow – Michelle Alexander Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man – Emmanuel Acho Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. #lawschool #WidenerLawCW #diversity #lawstudents Music Credit: LeChuckz

One of the joys of being a Widener Law Commonwealth student is meeting alumni. Gabriella Romeo ’21, Student Bar Association President, interviewed alumna Niki Carter ’08. In-person restrictions did not keep them from a fun and engaging interview. Niki currently works at TE Connectivity, a company that designs and manufactures connectivity and sensors products for harsh environments. In her position at TE, Niki counsels the Aerospace, Defense & Marine business unit, and more specifically serves as North American regional commercial counsel for the Aerospace & Defense business and lead counsel for the Marine, Oil & Gas, business. Niki is an experienced business legal advisor, with extensive expertise with U.S. Government, Department of Defense contracts and acquisition regulations. As a trusted business advisor, Niki counsels internal clients on a variety of matters, including contract negotiation and interpretation, customer claims, risk and liability issues, and emerging issues in relevant regulatory frameworks. She also regularly evaluates government acquisition compliance, leading to the drafting and updating internal policies and procedures, and development and deployment of internal training programs. Although Niki currently practices in a traditional in-house role, her career path has taken many twists and turns. As a result, she advocates for and encourages law students to consider non-traditional legal-adjacent career paths. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. #lawschool​ #lawstudents​ #alumni​ #WidenerLawCW​ #WidenerPride

The 2021 Jurist in Residence Lecture, A Second Chance: Rehabilitation, Reform and Reentry, sponsored by the Law and Government Institute, was held on Thursday, February 4. The lecture will be presented by The Honorable Royce L. Morris, Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas. Featured Panelists Hon. Scott A. Evans, Criminal Calendar Judge, Dauphin County Kelly Evans, Deputy Secretary, Office of Reentry, PA Board of Probation and Parole Daniel Karhnak, Senior U.S. Probation Officer Douglas Hollis, Mentoring Coordinator, Sound Community Solutions (former juvenile lifer) Judge Morris's Biography After more than 25 years of distinguished service as an attorney and civic service to his community, Royce Morris was elected to serve as a Judge on the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas in 2018. Judge Morris has provided numerous Continuing Legal Education Seminars for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, having previously served that organization as president, vice president and treasurer. He was an adjunct professor at Harrisburg Area Community College teaching criminal law and criminal evidence for more than ten years. Judge Morris received a gubernatorial appointment to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing and served on the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Task Force on the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Morris serves on the House of Delegates for the Pennsylvania Bar Association and is the former chair of the Equal Professional Opportunity Committee for the Dauphin County Bar Association and the Capital Area Managing Partners Diversity Initiative. Named by Philadelphia Magazine as a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer” from 2008-2017, he rated at the highest level of professional excellence, AV preeminent, by his peers at Martindale Hubbell. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Follow the Law and Government Institute on Twitter @WidenerLG. Music Credit: LeChuckz

Widener Law Commonwealth's Environmental Law Distinguished Speaker Series Presented: Earth in Trust: Inalienable Rights for a Collective Ecological Future on November 19, 2020. Mary Christina Wood is a Philip H.Knight Professor of Law at University of Oregon and Faculty Director of the law school’s nationally acclaimed Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program. Her research focuses on a fundamental rights approach to ecological restoration and distribution of resources. She is one of the foremost authorities in the world on the pubic trust principle and is widely credited with originating the approach used in youth-led litigation across the U.S. and in other countries around the world invoking the principle to hold government accountable for promoting the fossil fuel energy system. She is a frequent speaker on global warming issues and has received national and international attention for her sovereign trust approach to global climate policy. Professor Wood is author of Nature’s Trust, Environmental Law for a New Ecological Age (Cambridge University Press), as well as textbooks, book chapters, monographs, and articles spanning environmental and natural resources law, tribal sovereignty, and climate crisis. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

This is a recording of the 2020 Annual John Gedid Lecture Series: The President and the Rise of Partisan Administration of the Law hosted by Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Law and Government Institute. This lecture series honors John Gedid, one of the founders of Widener Law Commonwealth, the school’s first vice-dean and the founder of Widener’s Law and Government Institute. Professor Gedid has served as a wonderful mentor to every faculty member the school has hired. The series showcases the work of nationally recognized young scholars much the same way Professor Gedid has fostered, encouraged, and applauded the work of those who joined the school he helped to found. Speaker Kevin M. Stack is Lee S. & Charles A. Speir Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University Law School. He writes and teaches in the areas of administrative law, separation of powers, and statutory interpretation. In 2019, he was appointed as a Public Member of the Administrative Conference of the United States. In 2013, he received the American Bar Association’s Annual Scholarship Award in 2013. He is co-author (with Lisa S. Bressman and Edward L. Rubin) of The Regulatory State, a casebook on statutes and administrative lawmaking. He served as law clerk for the Honorable Kimba N. Wood (S.D.N.Y) and the Honorable A. Wallace Tashima (Ninth Circuit). Before his J.D at Yale Law School, he earned a master’s degree in philosophy at Oxford University, supported by a Fulbright Scholarship, and a B.A. from Brown University. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. Follow the Law and Government Institute on Twitter @WidenerLG. Music Credit: LeChuckz

One of the joys of being a Widener Law Commonwealth student is meeting alumni. Gabriella Romeo ’21, Student Bar Association President, interviewed alumnus Steve Ryan ’07. In-person restrictions did not keep them from a fun and engaging interview. Steve, a Brooklyn, NY native turned Central Pennsylvanian, shared his legal journey beginning from his first days at Widener to his well-established career in Workers’ Compensation Law. Keeps your eyes out for a special appearance of Gabriella’s cat Mia and your ears open for Steve’s favorite Harrisburg Pizza joint. Steve Ryan is an associate with Martin Law LLC who practices workers’ compensation law. The primary focus of his practice is on injured workers. He found a passion for this area of the law after observing the difficulties that many workers faced in the workers’ compensation system. In the Spring of 2015, Mr. Ryan became a certified specialist in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation by the PA Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the PA Supreme Court. Mr. Ryan is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ), Dauphin County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is an avid writer and has written on numerous topics from workers’ compensation in newspapers to fictional short stories. Mr. Ryan received his law degree from Widener University School of Law in 2007. He received his undergraduate degree in English from Brooklyn College in 2002. During law school, he was a Senior Staff Member of the Widener Law Journal and highly involved in the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP). Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. You can also view the interview on our YouTube Channel. #lawschool #lawstudents #alumni #WidenerLawCW #WidenerPride #WidenerInsideTrack Music Credit: LeChuckz