{"image":"","content":"<h1>Law and Government Institute Year in Review 2015-2016<\/h1>\r\n<h4>Jump to: <a href=\"#events\">Law and Government Events<\/a>&nbsp;| <a href=\"#connect\">Connect with Us<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<h3>Director's Message<\/h3>\r\n<p>The Law and Government Institute had a wonderful year.&nbsp; Because of the efforts of our alumni, students and faculty, Widener Law Commonwealth was recognized as a top twenty school for public service by preLaw magazine.&nbsp; We were the only law school in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition.<\/p>\r\n<p>We are so proud of our 2016 certificate graduates and their dedication to public service.&nbsp; These students concentrated their legal studies in government law, not only taking specialized courses but also completing internships in all facets of government.&nbsp; This year&rsquo;s Outstanding Law and Government Student award went to Patrick Parsons.&nbsp; Patrick served as a Law and Government Fellow for two years.&nbsp; Secretary-Parliamentarian of the PA Senate Megan Martin, '94, joined us at our annual lunch for students graduating with a Law and Government certificate.<\/p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"irl:\/\/885\/\/\" alt=\"\" height=\"225\" width=\"450\" \/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src=\"irl:\/\/887\/\/\" alt=\"\" height=\"225\" width=\"323\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p>It was another year of dynamic and engaging Institute programming.&nbsp; Links to information about our major events are below.&nbsp;It is our pleasure to serve as a hub for conversations about important issues like government reform, military law, mass incarceration, judicial elections and the role of law in regulating technology.&nbsp; Thank you to all of our speakers.&nbsp; Our students are engaged in our events.&nbsp; For example, during the judicial debates students asked the candidates questions.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"irl:\/\/888\/\/\" alt=\"\" height=\"225\" width=\"450\" \/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src=\"irl:\/\/883\/\/\" alt=\"\" height=\"225\" width=\"290\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p>I want to specially thank Patrick Murphy, Under Secretary of the Army, '99, for his help in putting together a fantastic day-long program, <a href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzgwIl0=\">The Military, the Law and the Constitution<\/a>.&nbsp; This event drew together individuals from the U.S. Army War College, the ACLU, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Veterans Affairs.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Also, I want to acknowledge two great thriving partnerships.&nbsp; With the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pawomensforum.org\/\">Pennsylvania Women&rsquo;s Forum<\/a>, the Institute addresses <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pawomensforum.org\/april-2016-forum.html\">problems<\/a> affecting women and families in the commonwealth.&nbsp; The Institute also works with the Dauphin County Bar Association.&nbsp; This year the collaboration presented programming on new constitutional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dcba-pa.org\/pdfs\/eventAds\/032916govtlawflyer.pdf\">challenges<\/a> to Pennsylvania statutes and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dcba-pa.org\/pdfs\/eventAds\/111815govlawflyer.pdf\">role of lawyers<\/a> in the executive branch.<\/p>\r\n<p><img src=\"irl:\/\/884\/\/\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"224\" width=\"450\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Please help us build on the Institute&rsquo;s amazing momentum.&nbsp; We need your support to continue to build our schedule of events and programs for students.&nbsp; For example, we could use support for travel expenses for our annual Gedid Lecture speaker or to increase the yearly award to the outstanding Law and Government student. <a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthlawalumni.widener.edu\/donate\" target=\"_blank\">Please donate!<\/a> &nbsp;Even small amounts make a big difference.<\/p>\r\n<p><img src=\"irl:\/\/872\/\/\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: left;\" width=\"20%\" \/>I am always open to hearing from alumni and friends.&nbsp; I hope you have a wonderful summer.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><a href=\"ipl:\/\/35\/\/WyIxNSJd\">Jill E. Family<\/a><\/strong><br \/>Professor of Law<br \/>Director, <a href=\"ipl:\/\/391\/\/W10=\">Law and Government Institute<\/a><br \/><strong>Email:<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:jefamily@widener.edu\">jefamily@widener.edu<br \/><\/a><strong>Phone:<\/strong> 717.541.3911<br \/><strong>Twitter: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/widenerlg\" target=\"_blank\">@WidenerLG<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"clear\">&nbsp;<\/div>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<h3><a id=\"events\"><\/a>Law and Government Events<\/h3>\r\n<h5><a title=\"Read more about this event.\" href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzc5Il0=\">Military Law Symposium&nbsp;<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Nearly 100 active duty soldiers, veterans and lawyers gathered at Widener Law Commonwealth to discuss critical military law issues affecting soldiers and veterans.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a title=\"Read more about this event.\" href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzc3Il0=\">Attorney General Debate<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Widener Law Commonwealth hosted a forum organized by the Pennsylvania Women&rsquo;s Forum featuring all five of the candidates running for the office of Attorney General.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a title=\"Read more about this event.\" href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzczIl0=\">John Gedid Lecture Series<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Joshua Fairfield, Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law, presented <em>DELTA: The Law of Technological Change<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a title=\"Read more about this event.\" href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzcyIl0=\">The State of Pennsylvania's Government<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, &lsquo;02 gave a keynote address titled The State of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s Government. After Auditor General DePasquale concluded his keynote address, a panel of legislators provided commentary about the topics addressed in the speech, including campaign fundraising, gerrymandering of districts, electing a part-time legislature and the limit set on gifts.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzYyIl0=\">Jurist in Residence Lecture<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Jurist in Residence Hon. Mary H. Leavitt gave her last of three lectures as Jurist in Residence in January.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a title=\"Read more about this event.\" href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzU1Il0=\">Evening at the Capitol<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>This year Widener Law Commonwealth honored Vince DeLiberato, director of the Legislative Reference Bureau at the annual Evening at the Capitol. DeLiberato, who also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the law school, earned the Government Leadership Award for his dedication to students who wish to pursue a career in state government.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a title=\"Read more about this event.\" href=\"ipl:\/\/13\/\/WyIxNzUzIl0=\">Judicial Debates<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Widener Law Commonwealth was the proud host of two days of debates between candidates for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and also the Superior and Commonwealth Courts.<\/p>\r\n<h5><a href=\"ipl:\/\/470\/\/W10=\">More Law and Government Events<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<p>Check out all of the recent Law and Government Events.<br \/><br \/><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<h3><a id=\"connect\"><\/a>Connect with Us<\/h3>\r\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/widenerlg\" target=\"_blank\">Follow L&amp;G on Twitter<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<h5><a href=\"ipl:\/\/481\/\/W10=\"><br \/>Sign up for L&amp;G email updates<br \/><br \/><\/a><\/h5>\r\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/widenerlawcommonwealth\/collections\/72157668429852146\/\" target=\"_blank\">View photos of&nbsp;L&amp;G events on Flickr<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLlsqV38Nn05KVSZnm_nNgM_sSuMjpYEzO\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>Watch videos of the John Gedid Lecture Series on YouTube<\/a><\/h5>\r\n<h5>&nbsp;<\/h5>","box_content":"<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Support the Law and Government Institute by <a title=\"We appreciate your support!\" href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthlawalumni.widener.edu\/donate\" target=\"_blank\">making your gift today<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/><br \/><\/h3>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<br \/>Widener Law Commonwealth<a title=\"Read more about the award on the preLaw website.\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nationaljurist.com\/content\/best-schools-public-service-careers\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"irl:\/\/811\/\/\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"312\" width=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/h5>"}