<p>Judith L. Ritter is Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at Widener's Delaware campus. Professor Ritter received a B.A. summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1976, and a J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1979, where she was a member of the Law and Policy in International Business Law Review.  <br /><br /> Following graduation from law school, Professor Ritter served as a Staff Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, Mineola, New York from 1979-86; Clinical Staff Attorney, Rutgers Law School, Newark, New Jersey, from 1986-90; Associate Counsel, Community Service Society of New York, New York, New York, from 1990-93; and Visiting Associate Professor of Law, Hofstra University from 1993-1994.  <br /><br /> Professor Ritter joined the faculty at Widener as Associate Professor of Law in 1994 and has served as Professor of Law since 2004. She founded and directs the Law School&rsquo;s Criminal Defense Clinic which has been providing representation to indigent defendants since 1995.&nbsp;&nbsp; Professor Ritter is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and she teaches and writes in the areas of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Post-Conviction Remedies.&nbsp;&nbsp;  </p>
<h5>What inspires me to teach? &nbsp;</h5>
<p>Excellence in lawyering requires diligence, tenacity and devotion.&nbsp; In my field, criminal law, too many accused persons have ineffective legal representation, often bringing tragic results.&nbsp; One of the reasons I teach is to inspire excellence in future lawyers.&nbsp; I encourage and assist students in forming a model for quality lawyering that will frame their careers.</p>
<h5>Why do lawyers matter?</h5>
<p>Lawyers have the privilege and obligation to contribute toward pushing the law and legal system to promote justice and equal rights.&nbsp; This aspect of one&rsquo;s professional identity should begin to develop in law school.&nbsp; I encourage students to not only learn the law but to think critically about what they learn. Lawyers have a role in molding the law in ways that improve people&rsquo;s lives.</p>