{"image":"","content":"<h1>Law and Government Institute Year in Review 2016-2017<\/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>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\">Jonathan Bigley<\/a> (&lsquo;95) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ogc.pa.gov\/About%20Us\/OGC%20Attorneys\/Pages\/MainOfficeAttorneys.aspx\">Marissa Lehr<\/a> (&lsquo;12) joined us at our annual lunch for students graduating with a Law and Government certificate.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Pic of some LG grads at lunch] [Pic of graduation]<\/p>\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 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 2016-2017 events <a href=\"ipl:\/\/470\/\/W10=\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Pics of programs.]<\/p>\r\n<p>The Institute is thrilled to announce that Patrick J. Murphy, 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\">Jonathan Bigley<\/a> (&lsquo;95); <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hmslegal.com\/our-lawyers\/judith-cassel.html\">Judith Cassel<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.palrb.net\/index.html\">Vince DeLiberato<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ogc.pa.gov\/About%20Us\/OGC%20Attorneys\/Pages\/MainOfficeAttorneys.aspx\">Marisa Lehr<\/a> (&lsquo;12); and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paauditor.gov\/senior-staff\">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\">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.<\/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>&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=\"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":""}