Widener Law is pleased to announce it has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Bar Association with a 2008 Pro Bono Award. The awards are given annually to people nominated by peers in recognition of either pro bono work or the promotion of pro bono service.The honor was formally given to Widener Law Associate Professor Nathaniel C. Nichols, director of the law school’s clinical programs. Nichols explained it reflects the unpaid, public service done by five Widener students who volunteered through the school’s Public Interest Resource Center. The students visited senior centers in Upper Darby, Chester, Lansdowne and Ridley Township during the fall 2007 semester. They spoke to groups of seniors about debt collection and interviewed them for possible representation by the Pennsylvania Civil Law Clinic, run out of Widener’s Delaware law campus and overseen by Nichols. The award carried Nichols’ name because of his contact role with the clinic. “These students took on this added responsibility in addition to their heavy academic workloads and they did it for no pay and no credit. The rewards of learning through civic engagement are tremendous, but recognition like this is also gratifying,” Nichols said.The Delaware campus students who performed the service included:May 2008 graduates:


Troy Riddle 

Nicholas Papademetriou 
Kristina Rutsky

May 2009 anticipated graduates:


Shana Pinter 
Sheera Gartzman

“My congratulations go out to everyone involved in attaining the award. These students embody the Widener commitment to community service and Associate Professor Nichols sets a positive example for them all through his work with the clinic,” Law Dean Linda L. Ammons said.The award was given May 5 at an event in Harrisburg, Pa.