Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
PERSONAL. PRACTICAL. PROFESSIONAL.
HOME. ADVANTAGE.
Here, you’ll transform your world and launch your career with a personal, practical, and professional legal education. Located six miles from downtown Harrisburg, Widener Law Commonwealth is the only law school in Pennsylvania’s capital— and with that comes many personal and professional perks.
A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE
Central Pennsylvania offers the best of two worlds—the energy and convenience of an urban hub with the benefits of a small town. A lower cost of living than larger metropolitan areas, combined with fantastic arts, culture, dining, and nature make the region an ideal se ing.
A TRANSFORMATIVE PLACE TO LEARN
Harrisburg is home to courts of every level, local and national law firms, and state government. It’s also near an immigration court and detention center. Your law school journey will be fueled by countless opportunities to gain real-world experience, engage in professional development, and grow your legal network.
SIGNATURE.
Add value to your degree and set yourself apart when you specialize in a particular area of law.
ENVIRONMENTAL
LAW AND SUSTAINABILITY CENTER explores how law can be used to address climate change, environmental rights, public health, and the protection of land, air, and water for future generations. The center emphasizes skills such as statutory analysis, writing, legislative drafting, and oral presentation.
BUSINESS ADVISING PROGRAM equips you to advise small and midsize businesses that drive the U.S. economy, as well as entrepreneurs launching business enterprises. You’ll put your skills to work outside the classroom during a transactional skills course, an educational competition, and opportunities to provide legal assistance to real clients.
CENTER FOR EQUITY
AND JUSTICE aims to promote social justice and create equal opportunities for marginalized communities in the legal profession and beyond. The center’s initiatives focus on developing lawyers who are committed to dismantling systemic barriers and championing equity across various sectors of society.
LAW AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE focuses on the intersection of legislation, regulation, public policy, and the law. You’ll explore the inner workings of government and the roles that lawyers play in making and implementing law, such as writing legislation, representing clients before state agencies, and providing legal advice to elected officials.
EARN A CERTIFICATE IN:
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
• ADVOCACY
• BUSINESS ADVISING
• ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
• GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
• LEGISLATION & PUBLIC POLICY
PROGRAMS.
INSIDER. ACCESS.
Accessible faculty who are renowned experts will make you feel like an insider from day one. Their legal scholarship and rich experience will provide unparalleled insight into the profession—and they’ll support every step of your law school journey, from course selection to bar preparation to career counseling.
Global, state, and local leaders engage with the law school community, exposing you to emerging topics highly relevant in today’s legal environment.
“As faculty, our top priority is our students’ success. On a broader scale, as professionals, we are committed to ensuring that the future lawyers we mentor possess the skills they need to effectively represent clients, make a difference in their communities, and lead meaningful lives and careers.”
~Professor Michael Hussey
MEET YOUR PROFESSORS
Get to know the distinguished faculty who will support you throughout your law school experience.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
will be a cornerstone of your Widener Law Commonwealth education. As you gain specialized training and build your legal network, you’ll begin your rewarding and successful career.
EXTERNSHIPS: Our location provides unparalleled access to a multitude of judicial, legal, and business externship opportunities. Along the way, you’ll form valuable connections with lawmakers and leaders.
CLINICS:
As a participant in the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic, you’ll tackle real cases in the areas of administrative law, consumer law, elder law, or family law while being guided by clinic supervisors.
PROFESSIONAL.
“Widener Law Commonwealth is a distinguished institution that is renowned for its alumni and community programs. Through the mentorship of my professors, I developed the knowledge and skillset to assist those in need of legal services.”
~Shane Macas-Senn Stewartstown, PA
CAREER
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: Enhance your professional growth through networking events, mock interviews, educational lectures, and résumé-writing support.
BAR EXAM PREPARATION: Complete a fundamentals course that explores techniques for answering bar exam questions and acquaints you with exam materials.
PRACTICAL LEARNING COURSES:
Develop skills that will power your transition from the classroom to the courtroom or boardroom. Choose from a variety of courses, including negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, sustainability law practicum, and intensive trial advocacy.
HONOR SOCIETIES AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
COMMUNITY.
Join a welcoming group of students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about the impact of legal practice—and quick to support one another. You’ll develop leadership skills and meaningful connections that will enrich your education and life beyond law school.
“What drew me to Widener Law Commonwealth are the opportunities available outside of the classroom. From internships at the State Capitol, to working directly with professors, to collaborating with fellow students through a range of student organizations, there’s no shortage of opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
~Erika Firestone ’24 Lebanon, PA
WHEN YOU GRADUATE,
you’ll launch more than a career. You’ll become part of an engaged, accomplished alumni network. Since 1989, we’ve brought together remarkable people—diverse in backgrounds and united as part of a close-knit community, led by an active alumni association. Our alumni are eager to mentor students like you and connect recent graduates with new opportunities.
Thousands of alumni are practicing in 42 STATES across the country.
TOP. TALENT.
RECENT JOB TITLES AND EMPLOYERS OF ALUMNI
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice • Pennsylvania
Attorney General • Under Secretary of the Army U.S. Army •
Auditor General Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Federal Chief Magistrate
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania • Partner K & L Gates • Judge
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • First Deputy General Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • White House Counsel Executive Office of the President of the United States • Senator Pennsylvania State Senate • Executive Director
MidPenn Legal Services • Deputy District Attorney Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania • District Attorney York County, Pennsylvania • Senior Counsel
Office of General Counsel, Department of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Partner Jones Day • Vice President of Human Resources Sheetz • Partner Weil, Gotshal and Manges •
Judge Advocate General U.S. Army
Preview your future—explore alumni success stories.
INVEST IN YOUR SUCCESS.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FLEXIBLE ENROLLMENT OPTIONS:
Our extended division (part-time) program offers day and evening classes that enable you to balance law school with your busy schedule. Extended division students typically complete their required coursework in four years.
AFFORDABLE LEGAL EDUCATION
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
• Widener Law Commonwealth understands that legal education is a major investment and offers generous merit scholarship awards to incoming students in both the full- and part-time programs.
• Our tuition and fees are competitive, and we offer a number of endowed scholarships that award academic achievement in law school.
CONTACT
THE
FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
cwfinaid@widener.edu
717-541-3961
VETERAN FRIENDLY
Widener Law Commonwealth works with all chapters of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits and is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant.
Widener Law Commonwealth is ABA-approved: Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.
The purpose of this viewbook is to provide prospective students with an overview of the curriculum, faculty, location, programs, and services at Widener Law Commonwealth. The information provided does not constitute a contract and is subject to change without notice.
Our close-knit community will provide you a personal, practical, and professional law school experience. Our Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically and seeks to admit applicants who have the ability to complete the program successfully, who have broadly diverse backgrounds and experience, and who will make a positive contribution to the law school, the university, and the legal profession.
ENTERING CLASS PROFILE * FALL 2025
LSAT GPA
53%
44%
Transgender/non-binary/undisclosed 3%
Age Range 20-56
Racial/Ethnic Diversity 33%
LGBTQ+ Representation 11%
First Generation College 32%
First Generation Law School 93 %
Undergraduate Institutions Represented 102
Undergraduate Majors Represented 42
Full-Time Enrollment 125
Part-Time Enrollment 35
DEGREES OFFERED
JD (Juris Doctor)
JD/MBA (Online Master of Business Administration)
RANKINGS THAT MATTER
• Top Law School for Trial Advocacy (preLaw Magazine)
• Top Law School for Women in Leadership (preLaw Magazine)
• “A” Rating for Environmental Law (preLaw Magazine)
• Top Law School for Public Service: Government (preLaw Magazine)
SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
Business Advising Program
Center for Equity and Justice
Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic
Environmental Law and Sustainability Center Law and Government Institute
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Administrative/Constitutional Law
Advocacy
Business Advising Environmental Law
Government Contracting Legislation & Public Policy
ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
Full-Time
Part-Time Day
Part-Time Evening
APPLICATION DEADLINES
January 1, 2026 — Early Decision
February 1, 2026 — Early Action
April 1, 2026 — Early Admission and Express Admission Programs
May 1, 2026 — Priority Application and Trial Admissions Program
July 1, 2026 — Final Application Deadline
APPLICATION FEE
$60 – Waived if application received by May 1st
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
JUDGE KELI NEARY
Class Year: 2006
Job Title: United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Undergrad Institution: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
“Widener Law Commonwealth offers the best of both worlds: a close-knit, supportive community with the resources of a larger institution. The school’s strong reputation for public service, its accessible faculty, and its location in Pennsylvania’s capital provide unmatched opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact.”
“My internship with the Pennsylvania State Police, along with my time in Moot Court Honor Society and ITAP, gave me real-world experience that really strengthened my legal skills. Pair that with professors who brought practical training into the classroom, and I had a strong mix of knowledge and hands-on preparation that made the jump from student to professional so much smoother.”
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
F. LEE FRANCIS
Title: Assistant Professor of Law
Education: BS, Campbell University; MA, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; JD, MauriceA. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
“Teaching at Widener University Commonwealth Law School is a privilege. It is about more than the classroom. It is about helping students ind their voice, discover their strengths, and prepare to serve their communities with purpose.”
Experience — Before joining the faculty at Widener Law Commonwealth, Professor Francis served as an Assistant Professor of Law at Mississippi College School of Law and the Director of the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Center. Prior to his academic appointments, he served as a federal prosecutor with the USAttorney’s Office and an active dutyArmy JAG officer.
Courses Taught — Constitutional Law, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, andAdministrative Law
KIERA FLANNERY
Expected Year of Graduation: 2026
Hometown City/State: Archbald, PA
Undergrad Institution: The University of Scranton
“Widener Law Commonwealth is a place where everyone truly wants to see you succeed. It will provide you with the skills and the support to make a meaningful impact on the legal community.”
Advice for new students — Embrace every learning opportunity that comes your way, especially those that challenge you! You will grow most by putting what you have learned into action.
Extracurricular activities and interests —
Editor in Chief of the Widener Commonwealth Law Review; Vice President of the Student Ambassadors; Judicial Extern at U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; Research Assistant; Academic Success Fellow; Student Worker; Business Law Society; Phi Alpha Delta.
Favorite quote — “Enjoy being in the process of becoming.”