{"image":"","content":"<h1>Law and Government Institute Year in Review 2016-2017<\/h1>\r\n<h4>Jump to: &nbsp;<a href=\"#connect\">Connect with Us<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<h3>Director's Message<\/h3>\r\n<p>It fills me with pride to look back on the Law and Government Institute&rsquo;s amazing year.&nbsp; During the academic year 2016-2017, the Institute continued its innovative programming and guided more students and the public towards a better understanding of government law.<\/p>\r\n<p>We are so proud of our 2017 certificate graduates and their dedication to public service.&nbsp; These students concentrated their legal studies in government law.&nbsp; The Institute offers three certificates in government law:&nbsp; Administrative Law; Environmental Law; and Legislation.&nbsp; This year&rsquo;s Outstanding Law and Government Student award went to Andrew Miller, who earned all three Law and Government certificates.&nbsp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bigleyandblikle.com\/attorneys\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Bigley<\/a> (&lsquo;95) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ogc.pa.gov\/About%20Us\/OGC%20Attorneys\/Pages\/MainOfficeAttorneys.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Marissa Lehr<\/a> (&lsquo;12) 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:\/\/1144\/\/\" alt=\"Students and Faculty at L&amp;G lunch\" height=\"225\" width=\"500\" \/>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src=\"irl:\/\/1143\/\/\" alt=\"L&amp;G students at commencement\" height=\"225\" width=\"346\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p>Our programming this year included a debate in the race for Attorney General, a Pennsylvania Senate policy roundtable, and a program on the opioid epidemic.&nbsp; Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson ('95) is our new Jurist in Residence.&nbsp; He presented his first lecture to a packed room.&nbsp; This year&rsquo;s Gedid Lecture featured Professor Sophia Lee of the University of Pennsylvania Law School.&nbsp; Also, the Commonwealth Court paid our law school a special visit as it held oral argument at the law school.&nbsp; You can find more information about all of our <a href=\"ipl:\/\/470\/\/W10=\">2016-2017 events here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"irl:\/\/1148\/\/\" alt=\"L&amp;G Event\" height=\"250\" width=\"347\" \/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src=\"irl:\/\/1145\/\/\" alt=\"PA Auditor General talking at event\" height=\"250\" width=\"333\" \/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src=\"irl:\/\/1147\/\/\" alt=\"Hon. Kevin Brobson speaking at Jurist-in-Residence Lecture\" height=\"250\" width=\"333\" \/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src=\"irl:\/\/1146\/\/\" alt=\"Panel at L&amp;G event\" height=\"250\" width=\"333\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p>The Institute is thrilled to announce that Patrick J. Murphy ('99), former Under Secretary of the U.S. Army and great friend to the Institute, has joined the Board of Trustees of Widener University.&nbsp; We are also excited to announce the formation of a new advisory board for the Institute.&nbsp; The five members are:&nbsp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bigleyandblikle.com\/attorneys\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Bigley<\/a> (&lsquo;95); <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hmslegal.com\/our-lawyers\/judith-cassel.html\" target=\"_blank\">Judith Cassel<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.palrb.net\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Vince DeLiberato<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ogc.pa.gov\/About%20Us\/OGC%20Attorneys\/Pages\/MainOfficeAttorneys.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Marisa Lehr<\/a> (&lsquo;12); and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paauditor.gov\/senior-staff\" target=\"_blank\">Victoria Madden<\/a> (&lsquo;95).&nbsp; Thank you so much to our new members for their commitment to the Institute.<\/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; Please <a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthlawalumni.widener.edu\/donate\" target=\"_blank\">donate<\/a>!&nbsp; Even small amounts make a big difference.<\/p>\r\n<p>I am always open to hearing from alumni and friends.&nbsp; I hope you have a wonderful summer.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img src=\"irl:\/\/872\/\/\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: left;\" width=\"20%\" \/><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=\"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 \/>&nbsp;<br \/><\/a><\/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>"}