Civitas Fall 2018, vol. 2, no. 1

CIVITAS Magazine of the Widener University Commonwealth Law School

Fall 2018 vol. 2 no. 1

No Boundaries: Connecting Global Experience and Legal Expertise

Widener University Commonwealth Law School 3800 Vartan Way Harrisburg, PA 17110 Phone: 717-541-3900 commonwealthlaw.widener.edu Published by the Widener University Office of University Relations Executive Editor Gregory Potter

contents 1 Dean’s Message 2

In Brief

8 No Boundaries: Connecting Global Experience and Legal Expertise 12 Law Professor Co-Authors Letter to U.S. Attorney General about Immigration Judge Quotas 13 Law Student Makes Dream Come True by Coming to the United States

Editor Julie L. Sheldon

14 Impeachment and Judicial Independence

Art Director Melanie Franz

18 Faculty Notes

Photographers Melanie Franz Julie Sheldon Magazine Advisory Board Gregory Potter Julie Sheldon Christian A. Johnson Mary Allen Angela Sepela Jeannine McKnight Jeremy Wingert

16 Widener Law Commonwealth 2018 Commencement 20 Class Notes

Butterfly Habitat at Widener Law Commonwealth Law students in the Environmental Law and Policy Society (ELPS) recently cleared a half-acre area of land near the law library to be used as a new butterfly habitat. A bench, the 2017 class gift, was placed in the garden. The bench was be dedicated to the memory of Starla Williams, a long-time faculty member and administrator at the law school who passed away in 2014. Pictured is Marge Nollau ’17.

DEAN’S MESSAGE People who embrace a career in education enjoy spreading knowledge.

Sharing our passion for specialized areas of expertise with future generations is one of the most fulfilling experiences a person can have.

In my time as a law school faculty member, and now as dean, I have traveled to more than 20 countries to learn about legal doctrine and the Rule of Law, and to speak about my areas of legal expertise. While the opportunity to share knowledge abroad is an invaluable part of the experience, it’s the connections, relationships, and friendships I have established in other parts of the world that have been the most rewarding.

Some of my most memorable teaching experiences have happened while I was away from home. Most recently, I traveled to the Middle East, where I had conversations with colleagues about money laundering, capital markets, and other areas of the law. It also offered the opportunity to learn more about how foreign legal systems work.

Many of our distinguished faculty and alumni at Widener Law Commonwealth also travel the world to teach, learn, and share their knowledge of the legal field. In fact, we have more than 3,500 alumni who stretch across all corners of the globe. In this issue of Civitas, we will celebrate the important contributions they make internationally.

The legal profession is one of honor. Lawyers are privileged to help people through what may be their most difficult or most joyful times. I am honored to serve as dean of a law school where so many alumni give back, and make significant contributions to the legal community by spreading their knowledge globally for the betterment and continual evolution of the legal profession.

Dean Christian A. Johnson

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IN BRIEF Widener Law Commonwealth Alumni Honored Widener Law Commonwealth honored alumni at the 2017 Evening at the Capitol Reception.

Michelle Henry ’94 was presented with the Excellence in Public Service Alumni Award. Henry, who is the first deputy attorney general in the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General, was nominated for the award by fellow Widener Law Commonwealth alumni.

In her role, Henry oversees all legal, criminal and civil matters in the Office of Attorney General. As a prosecutor, she has tried many serious offenders that have been James D. Schultz and Michelle Henry charged with murder, rape, armed robbery, as the senior associate counsel and special child abuse, and drug offenses. assistant to the President of the United Also honored at the Evening at the Capitol reception was James D. Schultz ’98, States, and as an ethics official in the White House. who served in the Trump administration

In these roles, he provided counsel on matters involving the Ethics Act, the Hatch Act, the Stock Act, gift rules, and financial conflicts of interest. He provided counsel to the White House Office on matters involving government contracting, procurement, trade, transportation, and infrastructure. He also had liaison responsibilities to the Department of Transportation and General Services Administration. Schultz received the Dean’s Alumni Achievement Award.

“We are so very proud of our alumni and all of their achievements,” said Dean Christian Johnson. “Our alumni have a track record of going out into the world after graduation and making a difference for all of the communities they serve.”

Law Students Present with Medical Students at Orthopaedic Conference Widener Law Commonwealth students teamed with resident physicians from Penn State Hershey Medical Center at the annual Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society Conference in State College. The law and medical students collaborated to present on a panel called Medicine vs. Law, which addressed two medical malpractice liability cases.

Widener Law Commonwealth Alexandra Sholley, Alexander Beale, Mary Grace Sempa, all class of 2018 alumni, and Lindsay Eichinger, a third-year law student, presented the legal arguments of the cases, explaining the justifications for the court rulings of each. The residents explored the cases from the medical perspective, discussing physicians and patient care.

The presentation led to a policy discussion among the student panelists and doctors in the audience about a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision establishing a new standard for physicians obtaining informed consent from their patients.

The law students were assisted in preparation by Scott Cooper ’93, a leading personal injury attorney, and law Professor Christopher Robinette and Commonwealth Professor of Law and 2

Government Jill Family. Jonathan Bigley ‘94 recommended that the Orthopaedic Society include Widener Law Commonwealth students on the panel. Bigley is a partner at the Harrisburg-based lobby firm, Bigley and Blikle, and has extensive experience in the area of health care and insurance law.

“We are so grateful to Jonathan Bigley for seizing this opportunity for our students, and to Scott Cooper for taking time out of his schedule to mentor the students,” said Professor Family.

“The students did an amazing job and many conference attendees told me that the students’ panel was their favorite.”

Law and Government Fellowship Established A gift from Patrick J. Murphy ’99 created a new fellowship providing financial support for two Widener Law Commonwealth students annually. The Patrick J. Murphy Law and Government Fellowship is supported by a $25,000 gift from Murphy, the largest contribution to the Widener Law Commonwealth Law and Government Institute by an individual.

Widener Law Commonwealth students Sia Georgakopoulos, a third-year student, and Lindsay Eichinger, a second-year student,

are the first recipients of the fellowship. During the fellowship, they will receive mentoring from Murphy, as well as additional experiences in the areas of law and government.

“This generous gift continues Patrick’s long-time commitment to Widener Law Commonwealth and its students,” said Jill Family, Commonwealth professor of Law and Government and director of the Law and Government Institute. “The experience of serving as a Murphy Fellow will be invaluable for students.”

Widener Law and PBA Launch New Business Law Externship Program Widener Law Commonwealth students have a new opportunity to participate in the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA)–the Widener Law Commonwealth Business Law Externship Program.

The externship gives students the opportunity to work with the PBA Business Law Section Executive Council under the supervision of Juliet Moringiello, Commonwealth professor of business law and chair of the PBA Business Law Section.

According to Professor Moringiello, the externship will provide valuable experiential learning for law students outside of the classroom. These experiences include legal writing and research, statutory drafting, and collaborating with business law leaders throughout Pennsylvania.

Through the externship, students can also assist section committees in reviewing business law statutes promulgated by the Uniform Law Commission to assess their feasibility for enactment in Pennsylvania. The students assist with the preparation of the Business Law Section’s newsletter by researching and summarizing Pennsylvania’s judicial decisions in business law disputes. Students also develop strategies with the section’s Young Lawyer Engagement Committee to provide relevant practice tools to young lawyers embarking on a career in business law.

Each semester, one student will be chosen for the two-credit externship, which is open to both regular and evening-division students. Students who apply for the externship must meet the prerequisite of at least one semester of coursework toward the Business Advising certificate.

Murphy served as the 32nd Under Secretary of the U. S. Army, the second highest ranking civilian leadership position. He is currently executive chairman of Workshop Mercantile and is Distinguished Chair of Innovation at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Murphy was also recently appointed to the Widener University Board of Trustees.

Students eligible for the fellowship must have completed at least one year of law school and may be enrolled in either the day or evening divisions. The fellows are selected by a committee that reviews résumés and personal statements from the students. Fellows receive a $1,250 stipend each semester.

Widener Law Commonwealth Listed as a Top Law School

by U.S. News & World Report Widener University Commonwealth Law School has been named a top law school in the “Best Graduate Schools 2019” guidebook published by U.S. News & World Report.

The school moved up five places from last year and is now ranked 143rd on the list compiled by U.S. News & World Report in the Law School category. In 2017, the school was ranked 148th on the list.

The methodology used to determine placement on the list included information from statistical and reputational surveys sent to administrators and professionals. Peer assessment data was also used when tabulating the rankings of the school to be included on the list.

“It’s an honor to be included as a ranked law school

by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking emphasizes the specialized areas of study, certificate programs, and experiential learning opportunities we provide to the students at Widener Law Commonwealth,” said Dean Johnson. “Our passion lies in providing students with a high-quality legal education to ensure they are practiceready upon graduation.”

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IN BRIEF Law Professor Named Associate Dean of Faculty Research and Development

Widener Commonwealth Former Dean Presented with Zealous Advocate Award

Commonwealth Professor of Business Law Juliet Moringiello has been named associate dean for research and faculty development.

In her new role, Dean Moringiello is responsible for raising the academic and external profile of the law school and its faculty. She will establish strategic goals and objectives to institute and maintain recognition for the achievements of the faculty and law school. Dean Moringiello will also assist in the promotion of special program activities and help faculty members in finding opportunities to present and publish their work. She will continue to teach business law.

“Our Widener Law Commonwealth faculty members make a tremendous impact with their scholarship on topics of current importance, such as election law, immigration procedure, and environmental sustainability. Many of many of them are involved in law reform on every level— cross-border harmonization of laws, federal policy, uniform state laws, and local ordinances. Our faculty members are not only committed teachers, but they also produce important scholarship on legal education. I’m looking forward to working closely with my colleagues to maximize the impact of their work.”

Dean Moringiello's work has been published in several top law reviews, including the Fordham Law Review, the University of Illinois Law Review, and the Wisconsin Law Review. She is the immediate past chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Business Law Section, an elected member of the American Law Institute, a fellow of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, and a Uniform Law Commissioner for Pennsylvania.

Liz Simcox works tirelessly to connect law students, recent graduates, and members of the legal community with the right connections to help them grow their careers.

In recognition of her accomplishments, she was honored with the Zealous Advocate Award at a reception during Alumni Weekend. The criteria for the award comes from the American Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct: Preamble and Scope, which encourages lawyers to be zealous advocates for clients and assure that justice is achieved.

“I am honored to be the recipient of this award. Widener has played a big role in my life and in my career, and I am pleased to be recognized,” she said.

Simcox currently serves as the executive director of the Dauphin County Bar Association (DCBA), and she has served in numerous roles at Widener Law Commonwealth. In 1999 she joined the law school as a staff attorney for the Harrisburg Civil Law Clinic, and from 2002 to 2007 served as dean of students and director of externships. She also served as coordinator of Bar Prep programs and developed the first for-credit bar program at the law school.

“I think my greatest career accomplishment has been to help law students become good lawyers in our legal community,” she said.

Simcox plans to retire from her position with the DCBA at the end of 2018 and will relocate to Belmont, NC with her husband, John, to be closer to family. She plans to remain connected to the law school and central Pa. legal community.

Law Professor Recognized with 2018 Lindback Award Professor Christopher Robinette has received the 2018 Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching.

The Lindback Award is given to a faculty member who has demonstrated a history of teaching at the highest level. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching. The honor is bestowed annually to 4

a member of Widener's faculty.

“Professor Robinette’s teaching philosophy and practices are exemplary and worthy of recognition,” said Dean Christian Johnson. “He also consistently uses and integrates his scholarship into his courses as a way to make his teaching current and relevant for students.”

He has received both the Outstanding Faculty Award (2018, 2016, 2013, 2011) and

the Douglas E. Ray Excellence in Faculty Scholarship Award (2009, 2015) on multiple occasions.

Robinette writes in the areas of tort law and theory, and is recognized as a highly accomplished scholar both in the United States and abroad. He is the editor-inchief of the Journal of Tort Law, the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated to tort law in the United States.

Law School Earns Afor Environmental Law Program Widener Law Commonwealth has again been recognized by preLaw Magazine for its environmental law program.

The law school was named to the magazine’s list of Top Schools for Environmental Law. Widener Law

Commonwealth received an A- grade. preLaw Magazine is a leading source of information about issues in legal education and is a publication of National Jurist. The grades were based on the curriculum each school offers in the area of environmental law.

Widener Law Commonwealth’s campus is home to the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center.

The center helps students engage in environmental law and creates opportunities to engage them in the complex and critical problems that face our society today in the areas of the environment and sustainability.

“It is an honor to be named to this list again for such a great distinction,” said Prof. John Dernbach, director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center and Commonwealth professor of environmental law. “Our goal is to have our students and their efforts make a significant impact in sustainability and environmental law. I think that we have done just that and I am proud of the progress we have made at the law school.”

Mandrell Joins Law School as Director of Career Development Office Widener Law Commonwealth welcomed Eden Mandrell as the director of the Career Development Office in May. In this new role, she will provide the necessary career-related training and education so students may develop and refine the skills necessary to find employment as legal professionals.

Additionally, she will provide ongoing counseling to students and alumni and market their skills to potential employers, as well as develop an engaging program designed to expand job opportunities at all levels by developing and maintaining robust relationships with law firms, judges and their staffs, in-house counsel,

government attorneys and officials, nonprofits, and public interest organizations.

Prior to joining Widener Law Commonwealth, Mandrell was a partner with Major, Lindsey & Africa, a preeminent global legal search firm, and a principal at ELM Legal Search, LLC., where she represented partners and associates considering lateral opportunities and law firms seeking mergers and group acquisitions. Her client base included toptier national, regional, and boutique law firms and corporations. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her law degree from California Western School of Law.

Sepela Joins Law School as Associate Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement Angela Sepela joined Widener Law Commonwealth as the associate director of annual giving and alumni engagement in January 2018.

In her role, she connects with more than 3,500 alumni across the country and provides them with information about the unique programs, networking opportunities, and fundraising needs of the law school. Sepela organizes and manages alumni events that enable alumni to connect with student and professional groups, while informing them about the mission of the law school.

Prior to joining Widener Law Commonwealth, Sepela was the associate director of annual giving at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, where she cultivated relationships with alumni in support of the school. She received her undergraduate degree from Franklin Pierce University and is a candidate for a master’s degree in business administration from Hellenic American University in 2019.

Sepela can be reached at amsepela@widener.edu or at 717-541-3974. She encourages alumni to reach out to her with suggestions and thoughts to improve alumni programs.

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IN BRIEF Widener Law Commonwealth Welcomes Incoming Class of 2018 The 2018 incoming class is filled with people from diverse backgrounds that represent 76 undergraduate universities and 17 different states. The class is composed of 56 percent females and 44 percent males, with 26 percent of the students identifying as a person of color.

During the “Welcome to the Profession” ceremony, Widener University trustee and 1996 alumnus Douglas Wolfberg of Page, Wolfberg and Wirth, LLC, reminded students that their legacy is built upon the character they display each day.

“Look to your left and look to your right, and you will see people who will become lifelong friends and colleagues. You will see helpful and supportive peers. You will see future distinguished leaders of our profession,” said Wolfberg.

In her welcoming address, Chief Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, a 1992 alumna of Widener, opened the floor for questions from the incoming class and provided her best advice.

After administering the Affirmation of Professionalism to the class, she had each student take a selfie. She asked that each of them save the selfie and write a wish to themselves for the next three years.

“I hope in three years I see you again, maybe at graduation,” she said. ““When I see you, we can take another picture, because I would like to know if you fulfilled your wish, what you would have done differently, and how it all turned out.”

Annual Lecture Addresses DACA, Immigration Issues Each year, the annual John Gedid Lecture addresses a hot topic related to government law.

This year, Muneer I. Ahmad, clinical professor of law and deputy dean for experiential education at Yale Law School, presented Immigration Race and Rights in the Trump ERA: Lessons from the Muslim Ban and DACA Termination.

His lecture addressed the Trump administration’s termination of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and work with his law students challenging President Trump’s implementation of a travel ban affecting mostly Muslim-majority nations.

“The current moment of contentious immigration debate is hugely consequential for 6

the future of the country," Professor Ahmad government and director of the Law and said. “But, I think our history, both negative Government Institute. “Professor Ahmad is and positive, can help us to navigate these dedicated to protecting individual rights challenges.” through his work. We were excited Professor Ahmad has to engage with him on one of the represented immigrants in a most prominent government law range of labor, immigration, and topics of the time.” trafficking cases. Additionally, The Gedid Lecture honors the for three years, he represented a Widener Law Commonwealth prisoner at Guantanamo Bay. Law and Government Institute’s “Professor Ahmad is on the founder, Professor Emeritus John Muneer Ahmad cutting edge of experiential L. Gedid. The institute is dedicated education. His work in immigration to the study of government law and enables law involves his students in creative and law students to learn how government works sophisticated litigation,” said Jill Family, and the roles that lawyers play in making and Commonwealth professor of law and implementing law.

Law Students Hold Pro-Bono Will Writing Workshops Students working in the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinics have teamed up with the management at B'nai B'rith, an affordable housing complex in Dauphin County, to offer the residents free legal services related to drafting wills. Many of the residents are seniors and adults with disabilities and have no written will.

About 10 students from the clinic go to the housing complex to hold “Will Workshops.”

Each workshop starts with a presentation about simple wills, powers of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives (living wills) given by a student or one of the attorneys at the law clinic.

Students meet with residents separately and gather information to draft the requested documents. After the students complete the requested documents, they are reviewed by an attorney in the law clinic and returned to the client to finalize and sign.

“Not only does this relationship with the residents in the complex enhance the students’ experiential learning while in law school, but the Harrisburg community also benefits from Widener Law Commonwealth students who

Gregory Neff, service coordinator at B'nai B'rith, estimated that about 10 residents take advantage of the services from law students each semester. He anticipates that number to increase as residency approaches full capacity in the next year at the center.

“I believe the biggest drive for me having these events is knowing the importance behind having your affairs in order,” Neff said. “I have experienced these situations firsthand and the difficulties of Andrew Webber, a third-year law student, works with clients at a will writing workshop at B’Nai B’Rith in Harrisburg.

provide this service to the elderly who really need the peace of mind that some of their legal affairs are in order,” said Mary Catherine Scott, clinical faculty and interim director of the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinics.

not having legal affairs in order can cause on a family, as well as the stress on the individual.

The tenants who currently reside at B'nai B'rith are living on a fixed income and do not have the resources to work with a private attorney to draw and explain the necessary documents. Widener Law Commonwealth is able to meet this need.”

Law Students Participate in MLK Jr. Fellowship Program Four Widener Law Commonwealth students participated as Martin Luther King Jr. Fellows through the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) last summer.

The program was established in 1991 to promote cultural and ethnic diversity in legal services and to honor Dr. King. The MLK program offered by PA Legal Aid offers summer internships throughout the PA Legal Aid Network for second- and third-year law students.

The students must be social justice oriented and desire an opportunity to make a difference.

The program enables law students of interacting with clients, participate in court and administrative hearings, and conduct legal research Brown Philips and writing on cases under the

supervision of legal aid attorneys.

Second-year student Glory Brown worked at the Regional Housing Legal Services-Harrisburg, while third-year student, Supryia Philips, worked in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project.

Queenette Echefu, a fourth-year law student, worked at MidPenn Legal Services in Harrisburg. Cykhira Walton, a second-year student, was located at Philadelphia Legal Assistance.

Echefu

Walton 7

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No Boundaries: Connecting Global Experience and Legal Expertise

By Julie Sheldon

It’s not often a law professor feels like a first-year law student again, but Commonwealth Professor of Law and Government Jill Family felt that way when she was studying English immigration law in London.

Our faculty are well known for sharing their expertise on hot button legal issues ranging from immigration to national security. But learning about global legal systems gives our faculty a new perspective on American law.

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Professor Jill Family

“My international experiences have helped me with my teaching and my scholarship. When I was studying English immigration procedures in London, I felt like a 1L again, learning all sorts of new terminology and concepts,” said Professor Family. “That experience helped me remember how daunting law school seems, but also reminded me that meeting the challenge is possible with perseverance. In my scholarship, learning about alternative legal systems has helped me to take a step back and view our legal system in a new light.”

Professor Family specializes in immigration law and has presented her work in England, Germany, Spain, and Scotland.

She has published articles in Spanish and British law journals and was a visiting scholar at Queen Mary School of Law in London.

In 2017, she traveled to Spain to lecture about immigration law and presented on the topic of U.S. immigration law in Madrid and San Sebastian.

In San Sebastian, Family was the only American to lecture at a summer course organized by the universities and the Basque government focusing on European human rights law.

By participating in conferences and specialized groups that analyze legal doctrine, the faculty learn about global legal processes and help other countries analyze and improve legal procedure.

Recently, Professor Christopher Robinette was one of two Americans asked to participate in the European Group on Tort Law. The group meets in Austria and consists of experts on tort law from countries such as South Africa and Israel.

The group meets twice a year with a goal to contribute to the enhancement of tort law on a global level. Discussions about the issues around tort law liability and the future directions of tort law are the top priority.

Faculty aren’t the only ones practicing law and learning about legal policies in other countries. Many alumni have chosen to practice in another country or address international legal issues right in their offices.

Tim Lavin

Todd Shill

“ All the world is my school and all humanity is my teacher.”

—George Whitman

The courses he is teaching focus on political rights, electoral systems, Tim Lavin ’03 was a practitioner and litigator in New York City national security law, and U.S. foreign policy. Both courses deal with when he unexpectedly had the opportunity to work for a law firm areas where the United States has been influential, but other countries in Australia. are skeptical of U.S. policy.

Lavin said the preparation in law school and experience from Dean Christian Johnson, who lectures frequently on OTC derivative working at firms both before and after he graduated prepared him reforms, capital markets, and the financial crisis, sees gaining a global well for his time in Australia. perspective about legal issues as critical for law students.

“It was very interesting to see how another country's judicial process works. I had the unique opportunity to interact with barristers and solicitors in Australia and collaborate together,” Lavin said. “It was enlightening to gain insight from practitioners in a country other than my own. Just getting to hear and talk about different perspectives on the law was probably the greatest experience that I've taken away from it all.”

Not all of the alumni that practice international law do so outside of the country.

Todd Shill ’93, principal at Pillar+Aught in Harrisburg, developed an expertise in sports and entertainment law that has enabled him to learn about the law and culture in the countries where he has clients.

While he has traveled to other countries to practice, most of the legal prep for his television and film production clients can be done at his Harrisburg law office. Shill works extensively with clients who need legal assistance with intellectual property and privacy issues, as well as various issues surrounding the financing of television and film projects.

Professor Michael Dimino with students “My intellectual property courses provided an excellent foundation, but in truth it was the professors that encouraged me,” Shill said. “Not once did one of my professors say ‘Todd, you can’t “Students need to understand and learn how the actions and practice sports and entertainment law sitting in Pennsylvania.’ To economies of foreign countries can affect their work in the United the contrary, they gave me constant encouragement and made me States,” he said. “They will be surprised how global matters can feel that anything was possible.” influence their practice no matter where they practice law.”

He added that having the perspective of how other countries Johnson most recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to lecture and operate legally is paramount for lawyers to understand the meet with legal scholars and law students. He has visited more than law better in all countries and provide them with arguments— 20 countries to learn about laws and legal doctrine across the world. interpretive or otherwise—to help build cases and advocate “Foreign lawyers and bankers have an extraordinary interest and for clients. curiosity in U.S. legal concepts, practices, and documentation,” he Faculty not only encourage learning international legal policies said. “Companies outside of the United States dealing with U.S. at the law school in Harrisburg, but also teach law students and companies frequently are required to use U.S. documents governed colleagues in other countries.

by New York law.”

Professor Michael Dimino, a Constitutional law expert, taught He added that despite the different locations across the globe, two courses about U.S. legal processes while in Italy as a Fulbright he always found it to be true that most lawyers are interested in Scholar during the Spring 2018 semester. developing fair practices that provide efficient and thoughtful “Global learning is particularly important to combat U.S. solutions to legal problems. parochialism—an assumption that whatever the United States “Global learning is an exceptional practice, and we can learn does must be the best just because the Unites States does it. so much from colleagues across the world,” said Johnson.

Therefore, students and lawyers who are involved in policymaking “The opportunity to learn about the law in other countries should be attuned to international issues and different societies' has expanded my knowledge of legal practices in many areas, ways of doing things,” Dimino said. “And, obviously transactional but I have also made valuable friendships with colleagues all over lawyers must deal with foreign law all of the time because so the world.” many companies do business with foreign concerns.”

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Law Professor Co-Authors Letter to U.S. Attorney General about Immigration Judge Quotas Commonwealth Professor of Law and Government Jill Family co-authored a letter signed by more than 120 immigration law and administrative law professors addressing concerns with the management of immigration judges.

The letter expresses alarm about the Department of Justice’s new performance metrics for immigration judges, including case completion quotas. The letter urges Attorney General of the United States Jeff Sessions to reconsider the quotas and to implement alternative reforms that promote fairness and do not undermine the independence of immigration judges.

The primary job of immigration judges is to decide whether a foreign national will be removed (deported) from the United States.

Immigration judges are attorney employees of the Department of Justice, not Article III federal judges, and as administrative judges they lack even the job protections enjoyed by administrative law judges.

“The immigration court docket is in many ways controlled by another federal agency—the Department of Homeland Security,” Family said. “This is because the Department of Homeland Security uses its prosecutorial discretion to decide who the government will charge with removal. Immigration judges adjudicate those removal charges.”

Immigration judges face an extremely large backlog of cases—more than 700,000—and the Department of Justice instituted the performance metrics in response. The letter objects to the use of case completion quotas to be used to determine conditions of employment and asserts that meeting the case completion quotas will be a too powerful influence on decision-making.

Immigration judges face an extremely large backlog of cases—more than 700,000— and the Department of Justice instituted the performance metrics in response.

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The letter discusses how the quotas will create a conflict of interest for immigration judges, because meeting the quotas will affect conditions of employment. An immigration judge will decide cases with a personal stake in how many cases are decided. According to the letter, this action is unacceptable because many removal cases require careful consideration of facts and the application of an extremely complex statute that is subject to almost constant new interpretation from the federal courts.

“In many scenarios, it is much faster to deny a case,” said Family. “The signatories to the letter believe that quotas will encourage immigration judges to cut corners and that they are a part of a trend of weakening procedural protections in immigration court.

Law Student Makes Dream Come True by Coming to the United States

By Mikhaeil Awad My name is Mikhaeil Awad. I was born and raised in Syria. As a child, I always wanted to be a lawyer. I completed law school in Syria and practiced criminal and civil law for six months before the ongoing civil war forced my legal practice to be cut short.

In 2000, my aunt, who is a U.S. citizen, sponsored my family and me to immigrate to the United States. Living in the United States had been a dream of mine since I was a young child. But, the immigration process was not yet complete when I had to leave Syria suddenly due to civil war, so my brother and I moved to Russia. In Russia, we waited to see if we could come to the United States.

It wasn’t until 2014 that I received a call from my aunt to tell me I had an interview in Jordan for a green card, and finally was able to come to the United States. Since I spoke no English, one of my first tasks was learning the language so that I would be able to work toward applying to law school. I missed my country and family, but I was one of the lucky ones who was able to get out of Syria. I did not want to waste that gift. I signed up for classes and started working full-time so I could pay for my living expenses. It was not easy, but I loved every minute of it. After a year of studying English, I signed up for LSAT prep classes and dared to dream of becoming a lawyer in the United States. Even now, when I write this, I cannot believe this is my reality.

In July of 2016, Widener Commonwealth Law School provided me with the opportunity to achieve my dream of being a lawyer in this beautiful country. It accepted me as a student. I can recall the day when they called me and told me that I was accepted. It was one

of the happiest days of my life. I can’t believe that I have finished four semesters so far. My school and professors have provided me with a lot of help and support.

Since beginning law school, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many amazing people.

In the summer of 2017, I had the pleasure of working for Judge Martin C. Carlson in the Middle District Court of Pennsylvania.

The internship allowed me to gain perspective on the law from the other side of the bench by observing litigation in action and judicial procedures. From January until May of 2018, I worked for the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) in York, Pa. In this position, I was able to put my translation skills to use, while also helping individuals with immigration issues. In the summer of 2018, I worked with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General in the Division of Criminal Justice. There, I was able to observe lawyers and learned a great deal about the practice of law.

Now, with a little over a year left to my education, I can’t wait to graduate and take the bar exam. I now only have these two obstacles standing in my way before achieving my dream of practicing law in the United States. I can’t thank my school and all of my law professors enough for the time they have dedicated to helping me succeed while in law school.

Mikhaeil Awad is a third-year student at Widener Law Commonwealth.

He looks forward to completing his final year of law school and taking the New Jersey Bar Exam.

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Impeachment and Judicial Independence

By Dean Christian Johnson, Professor Michael Dimino and Professor Emeritus Robert C. Power

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n 1804, the U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Jeffersonian Republicans, impeached Federalist U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase.

The Republicans charged that Chase had used his judicial position for political purposes—and he had. In giving instructions to a grand jury, Chase had issued a “political harangue” denouncing the Republicans’ agenda. But the Republicans’ real problem with Chase was his—and the rest of the court’s—Federalist ideology.

The Republicans wanted to use impeachment to rid the court of Federalists and to allow President Jefferson to replace them with Republicans. Next after Chase, the Republicans planned to impeach Chief Justice John Marshall. But the impeachment effort backfired. Chase was acquitted by the Senate; both he and Marshall remained on the Court.

The court’s decisions continued to support Johnson the nationalist philosophy of the Federalists until Marshall died and President Andrew Jackson replaced him with a states-rights Republican. What is more, Chase’s acquittal served as a precedent against politically motivated efforts to remove judges, and helped create a strong norm of judicial independence.

Since then, the U.S. Supreme Court has been involved in many controversies, including cases striking down parts of the New Deal, creating the Miranda rights and other protections for accused criminals, creating abortion rights, limiting the death penalty, creating a right to gay marriage, and resolving the 2000 presidential election debacle. Yet none of those controversies led to the removal of any U.S. Supreme Court justices—or to even a serious threat of removal. Instead, the court’s controversial decisions have been a significant factor in the appointment of new justices and in the election of new presidents who can decide whom to appoint.

As law professors who have dedicated our careers to advancing and sustaining the rule of law, we believe today’s Republicans in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives would do well to learn from the Chase impeachment. After the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the state’s congressional districts in January, one member of the General Assembly introduced a resolution calling for the impeachment of four justices who joined the majority. This was followed by 12 legislators filing legislation for impeachment.

These actions aim to undermine the independence of the judiciary by telling judges that if they want to keep their jobs, they had better not issue rulings that anger the legislature. If these legislative initiatives succeed,

they will lessen the court’s ability to protect the rights of the unpopular. We need courts that can stand up to the legislature, and to public opinion, even if it means we won’t always be able to get what we want.

Independent courts can protect the rights of everyone from protesters and criminal defendants to hippies and insurance companies. In the long run, adhering to the rule of law benefits us all—and distinguishes the United States from the dictatorships and banana republics where

Dimino

Power

“justice” means whatever the ruler says. It is one thing to impeach a judge for committing a crime. It is quite another to impeach a judge over a disagreement about the interpretation of the law, no matter how strongly one disagrees with the result.

One leader of these impeachment actions categorically stated that there was no method other than impeachment to hold the judges accountable for having “overstepped” the Pennsylvania constitution. There are, however, principled ways to deal with disagreements about the meaning of law. In cases involving the interpretation of state statutes or the state constitution, the state law can be amended. In cases involving federal law, an appeal can be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court. Legislators can make speeches and write articles explaining their views of the law. And legislators are free, as is every other Pennsylvanian, to campaign against the re-election of judges who make poor decisions.

It is unlikely that the recent impeachment resolution will amount to much of a threat to judicial independence.

More likely, the effort—like the Chase impeachment before it—will fail and reaffirm the need for a strong, independent judicial branch. But the impeachment attempt is troubling anyway, because it suggests that at least twelve members of the General Assembly fail to understand the value that an independent judiciary brings to our constitutional structure. If Pennsylvania voters are upset with the state Supreme Court’s activism, they can vote out the justices when they are up for re-election.

Previously published by PennLive/ Patriot-News.

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Widener Law Commonwealth 2018 Commencement Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro served as the speaker for the 27th commencement ceremony of Widener Law Commonwealth, held at the Forum Building in Harrisburg. He encouraged the class of 2018 to exhibit superior leadership and to provide service in both their professional and personal lives.

“Today you are one step closer to joining the legal profession as stewards of our justice system,” Shapiro said. “You will put your knowledge to use serving your clients, and, most importantly, the higher ideals of justice.”

Dean Christian Johnson said he saw it as the duty of the Class of 2018 to use the training they have received to administer justice and make their communities, country, and the world a better place.

“No profession is more honorable than that of the law, he said. “Lawyers champion the rights of the weak and powerless. Protect the rule of law that is the cornerstone of our democracy.”

FACULTY NOTES Dean Christian Johnson authored “Pushing Shadow Banking into the Light: Reforming the U.S. Tri-Party Repo Market” in the Research Handbook on Shadow Banking.

Professor Anna Hemingway had an op-ed, “The Trump Administration’s Flawed Approach to Diversity,” published by Inside Higher Ed in August 2018.

Professor Amanda Sholtis received a scholarship grant in 2017 from the Association of Legal Writing Directors and Legal Writing Institute to support her writing of a how-to guide for law professors on providing feedback to students through live critiques. The grant gave her the opportunity to present her work at the Mid-Atlantic Junior Faculty Forum in Richmond, Virginia, in May 2017 and the Southeastern Association of Law Schools Annual Conference in Boca Raton, Florida, in August 2017.

Professor Christopher Robinette spoke at the University of Maryland School of Law’s Legal Theory Workshop in September 2017. In addition, the U.S. representative to the European Group on Tort Law asked him to serve as his deputy, and Robinette attended his first meeting of the group in Vienna, Austria, in October 2017. Robinette was quoted in a November 2017 Reuters story questioning whether Facebook had a duty to notify users who viewed fake Russian profiles during the 2016 election. As chair of the Association of American Law Schools Section on Torts & Compensation Systems, Robinette moderated a panel on "The Role of History in Tort Theory" at the AALS annual meeting in January. He gave a presentation on William Prosser at Oxford University in April as part of a Private Law Scholars: Tort conference. Robinette also published “The Prosser Letters: Scholar as Dean” in the Journal of Tort Law. In 2018, Robinette received Widener's Lindback Award. The award is given to a faculty member who shows a history of teaching at the highest level.

Professor Juliet Moringiello spoke in March 2017 at the Brooklyn Law School symposium on Decision Making and Legitimacy in Public Bankruptcies. Her article prepared in connection with the symposium, “Decision Making and the Shaky Property Foundations of Municipal Bankruptcy Law,” was published in the fall 2017 issue of the Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial and Commercial Law. In October 2017, Moringiello gave the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Distinguished Lecture at the Georgia State University College of Law. Her remarks were titled “Contracting Property: How Digital Assets Test the Laws of Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights.” In August 2017, two of Moringiello’s articles were cited by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Meyer v. Uber Technologies. Moringiello was a featured expert in a special series published by Law360, which featured her article “Cities in Distress: Municipal Recovery Lesson from PA.” Moringiello also co-authored a new casebook, Essential UCC Concepts: A Survey of Commercial Transactions, which was published in West Academic in 2018.

Professor Jill Family received a 2017 Light of Liberty Award from the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center and her article “The Executive Power of Process in Immigration Law” was selected for reprinting in the Immigration and Nationality Law Review, an anthology of immigration law articles. She contributed to the “Notice and Comment Blog,” a joint project of the Yale Journal on Regulation and the American Bar Association’s Section on Administrative Law. Family served on the nominating committee for the ABA’s Administrative Law Section. She spoke at the 2017 annual meeting of the Association of American Law Schools and at two universities in Spain. She published “The Future Relief of Immigration Law” as a part of a Drexel Law Review symposium and “Trump’s Travel Ban and the Limits of the U.S. Constitution” in Spain.

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Professor Randy Lee spoke on legal ethics at a continuing legal education event hosted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in February 2017. In the spring, he spoke as part of a panel on Lincoln and Legal Ethics in both Pittsburgh and Mechanicsburg with Duquesne Law School Dean Maureen Lally-Green and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Chief Legal Counsel Tom McGough. The event was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI). Lee also spoke at the Benjamin Cardozo Conference at Touro Law School in New York City on Justice Cardozo’s calling for lawyers. In addition, in 2017, Lee presented a PBI continuing legal education ethics program on Harry Potter nine times throughout Pennsylvania. He also spoke on ethics related topics at events presented by the National Conference for Public Services Commissioners and by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Lee partnered with Adjunct Professor Bob Davis for a discussion of legal ethics for paralegals on behalf of the Central Pennsylvania Paralegals Association, and with Adjunct Professor Dan Shuckers for a PBI program on the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren. Lee gave the keynote address at the Ocean County, New Jersey Law Day celebration at the Ocean County Courthouse. In addition to his speaking engagements Lee also published the articles “Justice Benjamin Nathan Cardozo and his Two Most Important Questions: Reflections on the Choice of Tycho Brahe” and “Louis Brandeis’s Vision of Light and Justice as Articulated on the Side of a Coffee Mug” in the Touro Law Review.

Professor John Dernbach authored “Sustainable Development in Law Practice: A Lens for Addressing All Legal Problems,” in the Denver Law Review, and “Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization: Lessons from California and Germany,” in the Brooklyn Law Review.

He co-authored “Teaching Applied Sustainability: A Practicum Based on Drafting Ordinances,” in the Texas A&M Journal of Property Law, and “Beyond Zero-Sum Environmentalism,” in the Environmental Law Reporter.

Dernbach also co-authored a new textbook, A Practical Introduction to Environmental Law, and produced the sixth edition of A Practical Guide to Legal Writing and Legal Method. He also published “Pathways to a ZeroCarbon Future” in the Environmental Forum.

Since a landmark Pennsylvania Supreme Court June 2017 decision on Article I, Section 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution, he has given presentations about Section 27 to the Second Annual Executive Energy Seminar in Hershey, Pa., to the Delaware Valley Environmental Inn of Court in Philadelphia, at PennFuture’s Environmental Rights Amendment Forum in Philadelphia, and at a public forum sponsored

by Sustainable Pittsburgh. He was a panelist for “Green Economy and Principles of Sustainability,” at the American Association of Law Schools’ annual meeting. He also spoke at “The Future of Recycling and Act 101,” a program presented by the Pennsylvania Resources Council in Pittsburgh; “Lawyering as if Tomorrow Matters,” at a symposium on the green economy held at the University of MissouriKansas City School of Law; “Working as if Tomorrow Matters: Lessons from 26 Sustainability Lawyers,” at the second-annual Sustainability Investment Leadership Conference in New York City; and “Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States: A Project Introduction,” at a sustainability conference held at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

He was a conference organizer, moderator, and panelist at the First National Conference of Lawyers Committed to Addressing the Climate Emergency, held at American University Washington College of Law. Dernbach gave the keynote address at A New Era of Environmental Law: Foundations and Principles Colloquium, a conference held at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University; and spoke at a workshop on environment and vulnerability at Emory University School of Law. He was a panelist on the legal implications of climate change at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute environmental forum and on “Ethics and the ‘Green’ Lawyer,” presented by the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Resources at its spring conference. He also spoke on “Sustainable Development in Law Practice: A Lens for Analyzing All Legal Problems,” at Elon University School of Law.

Law School Launches Podcast Widener Law Commonwealth debuted the law school’s podcast last year.

The podcast features guests educating current and prospective students about the law school application and acceptance process. Law faculty have spoken about hot topics around the U.S. Supreme Court and the latest in immigration law.

The podcast also features audio files of selected continuing legal education programs held at the law school.

A new episode is published regularly and can be downloaded on iTunes and GooglePlay.

“The goal of the podcast is two -fold. Some of the episodes are evergreen and provide critical information to incoming and prospective students,” said Dean Christian Johnson. “Other episodes deal with current issues in the legal community.”

He added that the podcast is also a great way to keep up with technology and deliver information in a form that resonates with incoming and prospective students.

“We know that students like to have their information in bite-sized pieces and they like it to be in an easily accessible format” said Johnson.

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CLASS NOTES

Class notes included in this edition of Civitas were collected in 2017 and 2018.

CLASS OF 1992 Regina Foley, an attorney at Raynes McCarty in Philadelphia, was honored by the Support Center for Child Advocates as a Distinguished Advocate.

Regina has been a volunteer child advocate for more than 15 years. At Raynes McCarty, Regina represents catastrophically injured plaintiffs in medical malpractice, trucking accidents, premises liability, and general negligence actions.

CLASS OF 1993 Sharon R. López, a partner at Triquetra Law in Lancaster, was named president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) at its 2017 annual meeting. She is the first Latina president in the association’s history.

Through her work with the PBA, López created the Membership Enhancement Blue Ribbon Panel on Millennials and Mothers and Minorities in the Profession, an appointed

group of members who are identifying new approaches to increase membership through outreach, marketing and mentorship.

in Carlisle, Pa. Shewell previously served as vice president for community relations and development for Safe Harbour.

Christie Corado was named to the Board of Governors of Saint Joseph’s University’s Maguire Academy of Insurance and Risk Management. Corado is associate general counsel in BB&T's legal department and insurance practice group manager for BB&T Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Catherine DePasquale Mihalick recently joined Vinsko & Associates, PC. She works in the firm’s expanded estate probate, planning, and litigation practice. She lives in Shavertown, Pa. with her husband and daughter.

Scott Cooper was appointed to chair the Pennsylvania Labor and Industry's Workers' Compensation Rules Committee.

CLASS OF 1994 Christy Dunkelberger was elected magistrate judge for Fayette County, Georgia, in a nonpartisan election.

Her four-year term began January 1, 2017.

CLASS OF 1995 Scott K. Shewell was appointed as president and CEO of Safe Harbour

CLASS OF 1996 Tonya Butler was elected the magisterial district judge serving the city of Reading 13th, 14th, and 17th wards in Reading, Pa..

Gina Pesaresi was appointed hearing office chief administrative law judge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearing Operations in Jersey City, NJ. Previously, she was appointed administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in October 2016 in Charleston, WV, and served as acting hearing office chief

judge until her appointment in Jersey City, NJ.

CLASS OF 1997 Lisa VandenBerg was sworn in as the newest appointed judge to the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Ariz.

CLASS OF 1999 Zachary Rubinich, a partner at Rawle & Henderson LLP in Philadelphia, spoke at the 2018 American Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Midwinter Conference held in Nashville.

He was the lead moderator for the panel entitled, "Ethics & Professionalism in Workers’ Compensation: From Boardroom to Courtroom." The panel was comprised of attorneys, insurance professionals, and a workers’ compensation judge who discussed various ethics issues encountered in claims handling, settlement negotiations, and litigation.

Rubinich was also recently appointed the chair-elect of the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS)

Find Us on Social Media Keep up with alumni, faculty, and law school news on social media. Be sure to like, follow, and share on all of our social media channels including Facebook and Twitter.

Twitter @WidenerLawCW @WidenerLawCWResearch @WidenerLG @WidenerCWBizLaw

Facebook facebook.com/widenerlawcommonwealth

For a list of all of our social media feeds, check out our social media directory at commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/social.

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Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Law Committee for 2018–2019.

CLASS OF 2001 Bobbie Comlesky is the deputy court administrator for the Domlesky Court in Schuylkill County, Pa.

CLASS OF 2002 Charles Riddle launched EsquireTrademarks.com, which focuses on trademark applications and litigation.

The new practice results from 18 years’ experience in trademark law.

CLASS OF 2004 Deb (Borse) Cooper was promoted to deputy general counsel at Community Health Systems in Nashville, Tenn.

Cooper graduated from the law school’s evening program in December 2003.

Leslie Heilman has been elected to partnership at Ballard Spahr in the firm’s Delaware office. Her practice centers on commercial restructuring and bankruptcy.

Joseph L. Hoynoski, III was promoted to shareholder (partner) status at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Coggin. He was also named a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for medical malpractice defense for the sixth consecutive time.

CLASS OF 2005 Michael Dennin was named vice president of the Camden County Bar Association, the second largest bar in New

Jersey. Dennin also directed the Camden County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Committee, which was awarded the Larc School’s 2017 Lauren Higgins Hope Award for raising nearly $60,000 to benefit disabled children and adults. Dennin was voted a Rising Star

by Super Lawyers for the third year. Michael also attended the American Bar Association's Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) in Chicago.

Lawyers Division Statewide Mock Trial Competition, and as a voting member of the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates, the association’s governing bodies. Koltash is also the current chair of the Government Lawyers Committee, a past chair of the Administrative Law Section, and a graduate of the Bar Leadership Institute, class of 2012-13. Additionally, Koltash is the recipient of the PBA Young Lawyers Division Michael K. Smith Excellence in Service Award.

CLASS OF 2007

Angela McGowan joined Harrisburg firm Pillar+Aught.

She was also named to Central Penn Business Journal’s 2017 Forty Under 40 list, which recognizes up-andcoming business leaders in central Pa.

Leo Dunn received the 2017 David M. Rosenblum Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Public Policy Award presented by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s GLBT Rights Committee. The award honors individuals who have effected change resulting in a positive impact for the LGBT community and have used their position of leadership to inspire others to act and promote civil rights and equality.

Jonathan D. Koltash, senior counsel at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, received the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Young Lawyers Division Michael K. Smith Excellence in Service Award. Koltash became the chair of the PBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) at the conclusion of the 2017 PBA Annual Meeting. He is an active member, serving as the co-chair of the Young

Joel McNaughton, founder of the Harrisburg-based McNaughton Company, was named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2017 Forty Under 40.

Tara Schellhorn was named a “New Leader of the Bar” by the New Jersey Law Journal.

The journal annually selects lawyers who “have already built accomplished careers and, despite their youth, have established themselves as leaders within their firms and organizations, as well as within the larger legal community.” Earlier this year, Tara was promoted to

counsel at Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland, Perretti, LLP, where she continues to practice in the Bankruptcy and Reorganization Group.

Tara is also actively involved in the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

David Sunday won the Republican primary for York County District Attorney in York, Pa. Sunday currently serves as York County Chief Deputy Prosecutor of Major Crimes and Felony Drug Cases. He joined the district attorney’s office in 2009.

CLASS OF 2008 Matthew Krupp was elected as Dauphin County Prothonotary in 2017 and was named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2017 Forty Under 40.

Julia Coelho, a member of McNees Wallace & Nurick, was named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2017 Forty Under 40. Coelho was also selected as a 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star.

CLASS OF 2009 Patrick T. Daley has become a partner at Sweeney & Neary, LLP in Media, Pa. The firm is dedicated exclusively to the practice of family and 21

matrimonial law. Daley was also recently named a 2017 Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Magazine, and recognized as a Top Lawyer

by Main Line Today magazine in 2016.

Joseph Kania accepted a house counsel manager position with Worsham Corsi Scott & Dobur, Georgia House Counsel for Progressive Group of Insurance Companies in Atlanta, Ga. He will be relocating with his wife, Sabrina, and their threeyear-old daughter. Sabrina is also a 2009 graduate who works as a claims specialist in management liability and specialty claims for Nationwide Insurance.

CLASS OF 2010 Alaina Koltash, assistant counsel for the Governor’s Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Education, became the chair-elect of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD) at the conclusion of the 2017 PBA Annual Meeting. Koltash is concluding a one-year term as treasurer of the PBA YLD. Adam Zei joined Eckert Seamans’ Harrisburg office as an associate attorney. Zei focuses his practice in the area of commercial litigation and primarily represents clients in matters involving trade secrets claims, contract disputes, and other issues that arise in the course of conducting business.

22

Andrew Conaboy welcomed a baby girl on October 13, 2017. Conaboy also joined Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC in Sarasota, Fla. as an associate attorney.

CLASS OF 2014 Jessica Boyles was appointed as solicitor/deputy mayor of the City of Scranton, Pa. in January 2017.

Joshua J. Wilkinson has joined Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. as associate director of admissions for communications.

William R. Church is now a partner at Keefer, Wood, Allen & Rahal, LLP in Harrisburg. He also received an LLM in taxation from Villanova University School of Law in 2016.

CLASS OF 2012

CLASS OF 2015

CLASS OF 2011

Gabriela Raful became a partner at Galfand Berger, LLP. Since joining Galfand Berger in 2012, Raful has worked for clients in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury, products liability, and social security.

She was also selected for the Pennsylvania Bar Associations' Leadership Institute. Raful is the first attorney from Berks County selected for the program, which educates and trains future Bar leaders.

CLASS OF 2013 Matthew J. Curran is one of the founders of a new Harrisburg firm, Penwell Bowman + Curran. The firm aims to provide a fresh client-centered and technology-driven approach to redefine legal counsel for every phase of the business life cycle.

Alicia Glasser and Thomas McQuillan of Jersey City, NJ were married on June 11, 2016, in Lancaster, Pa. They welcomed a baby boy, Declan Charles McQuillan, on November 2, 2017.

Pia F. Aklian has joined Eckert Seaman’s Philadelphia office as an associate in the financial transactions and business counseling practices. She is experienced in negotiating and drafting complex corporate and commercial transactions and has worked on a broad range of corporate matters, including shareholder agreements, equity and venture capital transactions, merger and acquisition due diligence, strategic partnerships, Software-as-aService (SaaS) agreements, and licensing agreements.

Don Gual, law clerk to the Honorable Stephen M. Higgins of the Court of Common Pleas in Stroudsburg, has been chosen as a member of the 2017-2018 class of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Bar Leadership Institute.

Myer Messinger accepted a position with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney in the Vice Unit.

Lauren Zrillo has joined the City of Philadelphia Law

Department as assistant city solicitor. Zrillo’s area of practice is taxation.

CLASS OF 2016 Inder Deep Paul has joined Rawle & Henderson LLP's Harrisburg office as an associate.

He concentrates his law practice in the area of commercial motor vehicle defense. Paul was the alumni speaker for the law school’s Welcome to the Profession program for new incoming students in August 2017.

Tyre Wise is now a resolution specialist at Liberty Mutual Insurance.

OBITUARY Arthur Frakt, 78, passed away on February 3, 2018, at his home in Alta, Wyo. Frakt served as the dean of Widener Law School at both Harrisburg and Delaware campuses from 1992 to 1996.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Janna Rankin, his brother Steven Frakt, two sons, Alex Frakt and David Frakt; and four grandchildren, Max, Danny, Quinn, and Roxy.

U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge and Alumna Named Jurist in Residence

Alumna Honored for Her Public Service

Chief Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania will serve a twoyear appointment as the Jurist in Residence at the law school.

Rhodia Thomas, a 1997 alumna, has dedicated her legal career to public service.

During her tenure as Jurist in Residence, Judge Schwab, who graduated from the law school in 1992, will teach the Government Law Colloquium and present several public lectures, as well as mentor students and discuss current judicial issues with law school faculty and students.

“We are thrilled to welcome Judge Schwab back to campus as our Jurist in Residence,” said Commonwealth professor of law and government and director of the Law and Government Institute Jill Family. “She is an excellent resource for our students and she will enhance their legal studies in many ways, including by providing practical insights from the judge’s side of the bench.”

Judge Schwab was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 2012, after 11 years of public service and a career in private law practice. Immediately prior to taking the bench, Judge Schwab was Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Deputy Chief Counsel for the Democratic Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She also served as counsel to U.S. Senator Bob Casey when he was Pennsylvania State Treasurer and Auditor General. Before that she was a partner at Harrisburg-based Rhoads & Sinon, LLP, and also practiced with Semanoff, Orsmby, Greenberg and Torchia, LLC, in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Judge Schwab has the distinction of being a member of the inaugural class of Widener University School of Law, serving as the school’s first valedictorian after graduating magna cum laude. She was internal editor of the Widener Journal of Public Law.

Alumni Unite!

Volunteers Wanted for Alumni Association All graduates of Widener Law Commonwealth are automatically members of the Alumni Association. Volunteering and involvement in the Alumni Association not only enables you to network with fellow alumni, but also provides opportunities to help and mentor current students and serve the community. Visit our website commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/volunteerform/ to find the volunteer opportunity that best meets your needs.

In recognition of her dedication, she was presented with the Outstanding Service Award at the Alumni Weekend.

She was nominated by Paul Edger ‘11, who was previously honored with the Outstanding Service Award.

Thomas serves as the executive director of MidPenn Legal Services.

She has also held the positions of staff attorney and managing attorney at the organization, which provides free or low-cost legal services to those in need.

“I am grateful for the ability to work on behalf of those who are less fortunate and I consider that to be my greatest honor and achievement,” she said. “I only ever wanted to work in public service, in particular legal aid, because I believe in the mission of equal access to justice for everyone.”

The Outstanding Service Award recognizes and honors members of the alumni association who have given outstanding service to the law school as a whole, a particular concentration within the law school, or to the legal profession. Recipients of the award are selected by the Alumni Association Board as well as the dean and the associate dean of the law school.

“Rhodia has dedicated her career to ensuring people have access to legal services,” said Dean Christian Johnson. “We are honored to have her as an alumna and commend her for her great contribution and commitment to the legal community.”

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HONOR ROLL

2018

July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018

INDIVIDUALS Ambassadors’ Club, $10,000­­–$19,999 Vito ’61W & Mary Louise Verni Partner’s Club, $5,000­­–$9,999 P atrick '99, '09H & Jennifer Murphy Douglas Wolfberg '96*+ Benefactors, $2,500­­–$4,999 Jonathan Bigley '95 John & Carol Gedid Christian Johnson & Cori Johnson Bruce '96 & Elizabeth Monroe Dean’s Council, $1,500–$2,499 S cott '97* & Tanya Colbert '97 Blissman James '96 & Gina Bohorad Bret Keisling '05* James King Kathryn Peifer '02*

2017

July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

INDIVIDUALS Ambassadors’ Club, $10,000–$19,999 Vito '61W & Mary Louise Verni Douglas Wolfberg '96*+ Benefactors, $2,500–$4,999 Jonathan Bigley '95 Bret Keisling '05* Bruce '96 & Elizabeth Monroe Dean’s Council, $1,500–$2,499 James '96 & Gina Bohorad Nicholas Stapp & Jill Family Kathryn Peifer '02*

Law School Associates, $1,000–$1,499 E rnest Baynard & Lindsey Dickinson Baynard ’00 F rank Emmerich Jr. '95 & Angela Corbo, PhD A lbert & Sally Nuttycombe '03 Rutherford Bench and Bar Club, $500–$999 C . Grainger* & Sandra Leanna Bowman H on. P. Kevin Brobson Esq. '95 & Lauren Brobson Vincent ‘01* & Heather Champion Scott Cooper Esq. '93 John Dernbach Nicholas Stapp & Jill Family Michael & Julie Hussey Alexander Langan '12 P rofessor Robyn L. Meadows & Richard Meadows Ronald '96 & Kim Reybitz Century Club, $250–$499 G eorge '03 & Kristen Opdenhoff '03 Bibikos Jessica Wray Bryington '07 Joel R. Burcat Richard Burridge '93

Law School Associates, $1,000–$1,499 John & Carol Gedid George & Nancy Hassel C hristian Johnson & Cori Johnson A lbert & Sally Nuttycombe '03 Rutherford Bench and Bar Club, $500–$999 Anonymous E rnest Baynard & Lindsey Dickinson Baynard ’00 S cott '97* & Tanya Colbert '97 Blissman C . Grainger* & Sandra Leanna Bowman John Dernbach Juliet Moringiello

Thomas Cometa, Esq. '93L R onald Nagle & Nan Davenport '94 James & Cathleen Diehm Ann Hively Fruth '92 Bob & Sandy Graeff Jason & Amy '04 Groff Victoria Madden '95 Amir Raminpour '09 James '95 & Rosann Reeder Andrew Sacco '11 Adam '09 & Lauren Santucci Dan Altemose & Karen Shriner '94 G erald Strubinger Jr. '92 & Carolyn Strubinger Jennifer Walker '05 Karen Yarrish '92 Donors Molly Acri Anonymous Kimberly Allen '07 Robert Altenburg Mary Allen Kerianne Baker '18 Alexander Beale '18 Acacia Bellamy '18 Nathan Berry '18 Jennifer Blackledge '10 Nicklos & Kimberly Braun

Century Club, $250–$499 Richard Burridge '93 Jane Daley R onald Nagle & Nan Davenport '94 James & Cathleen Diehm Bob & Sandy Graeff Michael & Julie Hussey Randy & Brenda Lee P rofessor Robyn L. Meadows & Richard Meadows D avid & Susan Raeker-Jordan Justin Shedron '17 Derek Young '16 Leanne Young Donors Molly Acri Mary Allen Robert & Mary Anspach

Susan Bucknum, Esq. '98L Colleen Burguiere '18 Lauren Butterworth '18 Brian '08 & Sylvia Cagle Tyler Calkins '18 Charles Campbell III '18 Niki Carter '08* James Christiana III '18 Ryan Clanton '18 Ryan Colquhoun '18L Kevin Daugherty '18 Terry Davis MacKenzy Dawson '18 Vincent DeLiberato Jr. Michael '05 & Nina Dennin Michael Dimino Sr. Louis DiRienzo '14 Robert & Angela Dolbin Matthew Domines '01 Caitlin Donahue '20 Katie Dotto '09 S ean & Karli Gouse '09 Dougherty M atthew & Amanda Snoke '05 Dubbs Janet Ekerovich '97 Elizabeth Flaherty '07 Thomas Foley Kristina Forrey '18L Clarissa Freeman '08

Elizabeth Arnold '94 Jonathan Beckage G eorge '03 & Kristen Opdenhoff '03 Bibikos Nicklos & Kimberly Braun Niki Carter '08* Andrew '10 & Laura Conaboy Ronald Cowell '94 Angela Coxe '06 Colleen Crosby '19 Vincent DeLiberato Jr. Michael Dimino Sr. Conner Dodd '19 Robert & Angela Dolbin Christopher Falcon '07 Marshall & Pam Family Kevin '92 & Andrea Geary Diane Goltz Jason Gottesman '09 Jason & Amy '04 Groff

Thank You For Your Support!

Athanasia Georgakopoulos '18L Morgan Golay '18 Jason Gottesman '09 John Harris '18 Nikki Harrison '15 Paula Heider Tanisha Henson '20 Alyssa Hicks '18L S tephen '92 & Barbara Harrington '92 Hladik Brandy Hoke '18 Derrek Hollow '18 Kaleigh Hoover '20 Christopher Jones '08 H on. David Judy '94 & Karen Judy Kyvele Karpouzis David Kauffman Esq. '95L Susan Kessock '96 J onathan '07 & Alaina Schroeder '10 Koltash Robert Kranz III '18 Cary Kurtz '93 Steve Kwon '08 Randy & Brenda Lee Jessica Lehman '18 Tricia Lontz '13 Kailey Maguire '18 Marissa Mazurak '18 Kimberly Meyer '18

Philip Mintz '18 George Mitchell '18 Eyad Mizian '08 Robert Moran '18 Juliet Moringiello Genna Moscato '18L Tracy Murray '18 Kevin & Keli Knapp '06 Neary Katharine Nelson Michele O'Dowd '04 Joseph Peters '18 S pencer Phillips MD & Andrea Phillips Brad Rader Esq. '02L David & Susan Raeker-Jordan Katie Richardson Caroline Robelen '20 Christopher Robinette Michael Rosen '18 A nthony Sandomierski & Genna Moscato '18 Justin Schell '18 Michael Schultz '18 Tyler Semler '18 Mary Grace Sempa '18 Angela Sepela Julie Sheldon Alexandra Sholley '18 Cheri Sparacino '18 Robert Spayde '18

Paula Heider Marie Hess '18 Kyvele Karpouzis Thomas '92 & Pamela Kauffman Joy Kolodzi '08 Alexander Langan '12 Natasha Lewis Jordan Mazzoni '17 Robert & Kimberly Mazzoni Ryan McGoff '19 T homas '13 & Alicia Glasser '13 McQuillan Jason Miller '19 Wendell & Betty Mortenson Katharine Nelson Michele O'Dowd '04 S pencer Phillips MD & Andrea Phillips Christopher Robinette Adam '09 & Lauren Santucci

Jonathan Schnaars '19 Julie Sheldon Amanda Smith Kelly Klimkiewicz '97 Swartz Ernest & Linda Villa Jacob Wertz '19 Thomas Williams '93

Dean’s Council, $1,500–$2,499

ORGANIZATIONS Leadership Circle, $1,000,000+ Pennsylvania IOLTA

Capital Trustees, LLC

Ambassador’s Club, $10,000–$19,999 The Verni Foundation Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC Benefactors, $2,500–$4,999 E ckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC

W denotes graduates of Widener University

Sarah Stigerwalt '18 Michael Stoll '18 Kelly Klimkiewicz '97 Swartz Drew Thompson Esq. '08L Joanne Thompson '18 Roberto Ugarte '18 Jeremiah Underhill '05 Mark Uzorka Alexander Van Haak Peter '04 & Christine Vaughn Jeremy Wagner '18 Theresa Weaver-Barbers '18 Ian Wetzel '08 Samantha Wolfe '20 Mary Katherine Yarish '20 ORGANIZATIONS Leadership Circle, $1,000,000+ Pennsylvania IOLTA Ambassador’s Club, $10,000–$19,999 The Verni Foundation

Dean’s Council, $1,500–$2,499 Mette, Evans & Woodside Spirecube LLC Law School Associates, $1,000–$1,499 Comcast Corporation Bench and Bar Club, $500–$999 Mid Penn Bank Century Club, $250–$499 Donors Buscarini Law Firm, P.C. J ames S. Bowman American Inn of Court Matching Gift Companies The Boeing Company The Hershey Company P ennsylvania Power & Light Company PNC Foundation

Partner’s Club, $5,000–$9,999 McNees, Wallace & Nurick, LLC Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC Benefactors, $2,500–$4,999 Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott

McNees, Wallace & Nurick, LLC Pennsylvania Bar Association Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP Law School Associates, $1,000–$1,499 Rawle & Henderson, LLP

Donors Dauphin County Bar Association Family Design Resources, Inc. J ames S. Bowman American Inn of Court Matching Gift Companies Hewlett-Packard Company The Hershey Company PNC Foundation USAA Community Affairs

Bench and Bar Club, $500–$999 Comcast Corporation Cozen O'Connor Pepper Hamilton, LLP Century Club, $250–$499 M Three Properties SchmidtKramer Class years indicate Widener Law Commonwealth class only. *Widener Law Commonwealth Board of Advisors + Widener University Trustee

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Giving to the Widener Law Commonwealth Fund helps meet the direct and immediate needs of the law school. Your support provides students with the opportunity to participate in competitions and programs that provide real-world legal experience.

Gifts can be targeted to one of the law school’s outstanding programs: • Business Advising Program • Environmental Law and Sustainability Center • Law and Government Institute • Moot Court Program • Trial Advocacy Program • Veterans programs Visit our website commomnwealthlaw.widener.edu or contact Angela Sepela at 717-541-3974 or amsepela@widener.edu.