On September 15th, 2008, Widener Law Dean Linda L. Ammons will welcome Michael J. Aiello, Esquire, Class of 1994 to Widener Law’s Delaware Campus for the Third Annual Dean’s Leadership Forum. From 11 AM until 12 PM in The Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom, Mr. Aiello will discuss leadership qualities and answer questions posed by Dean Ammons in a talk-show style setting. An open question and answer session will follow.A partner in the New York Office of international law firm Weil Gotshal &amp; Manges, Mr. Aiello’s primary area of practice is corporate mergers and acquisitions. A graduate of New York University, he earned his J.D. from Widener Law in 1994 and started his legal career in 1995 as an associate at Weil Gotshal &amp; Manges. Since rejoining the firm in early 2007, he has represented boards of directors, special committees, investors, shareholder groups, and investment banks in a variety of both negotiated and unsolicited transactions involving such luminaries as the Walt Disney Company, Sony Corporation of America, Merrill Lynch, GE Commercial Finance, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners.Crain’s New York Business selected Mr. Aiello as one of the “40 Under 40” honorees for 2008. In 2005, The National Law Journal named him as one of the “40 Under 40” for his work in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers recognized him as a leader in the field of mergers and acquisitions in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.The author of several articles on the fiduciary duties of corporate directors and officers, recent developments in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and corporate compliance matters, he received a received the Burton Award for Legal Achievement in 2006 for his article, “Taking a Hard Look at Poison Pills” (New York Law Journal, November 7, 2005).All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the Dean’s Leadership Forum on Monday, September 15th, 2008 from 11 AM to 12 PM in the Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom.