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<p>It&rsquo;s been an outstanding year at Delaware Law School and we&rsquo;re looking forward to making more memories in 2016. Before we change out the calendars, we&rsquo;re looking back at some of our biggest stories. What was your favorite?</p>
<p><strong>New identity.</strong> <a href="http://bit.ly/1LWSpZA">We debuted our new identity</a> as Delaware Law School on July 1. It harkens back to our original name and reflects our commitment to the &ldquo;Delaware Way&rdquo; of practicing law, which involves a distinctive culture emphasizing civility and professionalism. We also rolled out a new website, which modernized our digital presence. We love our new look!</p>
<p><strong>New leadership.</strong> Dean Rod Smolla took the helm on July 1 with lots of big ideas and plans for our future. He&rsquo;s been busy teaching, writing, connecting with alumni, students and the community, and leading our work on a new strategic plan. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT9xuEuRsME">He&rsquo;s moving us forward.</a></p>
<p><strong>Innovation celebration.</strong> We launched the <a href="http://bit.ly/1NqU0Mc">Delaware Patent Pro Bono Program</a> during a program that featured U.S. Sen. Chris Coons as our keynote speaker. Students are at the front door of this program, screening inventor applicants who are seeking pro bono help with the patent application process. They may also assist the Delaware attorneys who volunteer to provide counsel.</p>
<p><strong>Clinic honors.</strong> Our Delaware Civil Law Clinic was honored with a <a href="http://bit.ly/1KLqsEH">2015 Delaware Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award</a> for social justice and advocacy. The clinic was created more than 30 years ago and largely helps domestic violence survivors. It has assisted more than 8,000 people and we estimate the value of its pro bono legal representation in excess of $5.3 million. Whow!<br /> <br /> <strong>Seeing SCOTUS.</strong> Students Brian Panella and Brian Rice attended U.S. Supreme Court arguments in cases involving juvenile and death penalty sentencing laws after Professor Judy Ritter secured a handful of tickets. <a href="http://bit.ly/1jxwSOV">&ldquo;I took it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience,&rdquo; Rice said. </a></p>
<p><a href="ipl://245//W10="><strong>New partnerships</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The law school signed articulation agreements with Neumann University, Rowan University and Cabrini College that will accelerate the path to a Juris Doctor degree for undergraduates who want to pursue legal careers. Our legal graduate programs also signed agreements with the <a href="http://bit.ly/1PG2nCa">University of Delaware English Language Institute</a>, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/22960475926/in/photolist-AYWryA-AJC7iL-B3dJVV-AJC5sb-Aogz3X-2A8V1c-bYKbv-fasysH-2FwuRR-2Fwuu2-2A9k3p-2A9jZV-2A9k1P-aqkSn7-7Szr8p-dFuVEt-anShfR-ap8e97-aqkS53-aqibHz-xCCa5k-axcutS-ax9Moc-anV4M3-anShbk-anV4w7-anShur-a">Sookmyung Women&rsquo;s University in South Korea</a> and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/18439726226/in/album-72157651689236384/">Da Caruna School of Law in Spain</a>, to provide advanced legal degrees for foreign attorneys and assist those who need additional language study before enrolling.</p>
<p><strong>Faculty honors.</strong> The Philadelphia Bar Association gave Professor <a href="http://bit.ly/1NS8TY7">Leonard N. Sosnov its Thurgood Marshall Award</a>, the highest honor its Criminal Justice Section bestows &ndash; for long-term service and a devotion of time, energy and talent to improving standards of justice in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania courts. The Delaware State Bar Association gave Associate <a href="http://bit.ly/1L8JIZn">Professor Dana Harrington Conner its Distinguished Mentoring Award</a>, for serving as an inspiration and role model for lawyers to strive for the highest standards in their careers and in their community involvement.</p>
<p>We are looking forward to welcoming <a href="http://bit.ly/1MFa8cK">Dr. Julie Wollman as the new president</a> of Widener University when she begins Jan. 19. It&rsquo;s going to be a great year.</p>