<p>Sarah Rothermel was glued to her seat when the <a href="http://www.pacourts.us/courts/commonwealth-court/">Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania</a> heard arguments at <a href="{staticroot}">Widener Law Commonwealth</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;A first-year law student, Rothermel said the snapshot she observed while listening to the judges hear arguments helped to solidify all of her hours in the classroom.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;As with anything, there is a distinction between theory and practice. Reading about how the court functions in theory and actually participating in the courtroom setting, even in a limited capacity as observers, are two separate entities,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It is easy to think you understand something in theory, but easier still and longer lasting to learn by doing. Though the experience was only a snapshot, I certainly got more out of how a courtroom actually functions by observing it than I would have by reading about the process.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In September, three judges from the <a href="http://www.pacourts.us/courts/commonwealth-court/">Commonwealth Court</a> sat at <a href="{staticroot}">Widener Law Commonwealth</a> to hear a dozen cases. <a href="http://www.pacourts.us/courts/commonwealth-court-judges/judge-mary-hannah-leavitt">Hon. Mary Hanna Leavitt</a>, <a href="http://www.pacourts.us/courts/commonwealth-court-judges/judge-p-kevin-brobson">Hon. P. Kevin Brobson</a>,&rsquo;95 (Harrisburg Campus) and <a href="http://www.pacourts.us/courts/commonwealth-court-judges/judge-anne-e-covey">Hon. Anne E. Covey</a> &rsquo;85 (Delaware Campus) relocated to the law school for a morning of oral argument.</p>
<p>Several professors required their students to observe the <a href="http://www.pacourts.us/courts/commonwealth-court/">Commonwealth Court</a> oral arguments. After the arguments were finished <a href="{staticroot}">Widener Law Commonwealth</a> students had the opportunity to talk with the judges during a question and answer session over lunch.</p>
<p>Students asked questions about career paths, civil procedure and professionalism.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The student experience is so important to all of us at <a href="{staticroot}">Widener Law Commonwealth</a>,&rdquo; said <a href="ipl://35//WyIxNSJd">Commonwealth Professor of Law and Government Jill Family</a>.&nbsp; &ldquo;I'm so pleased we were able to bring the court to our students and integrate the cases into our courses."</p>