Students Get Firsthand Experience in Law School Class with Widener Law Deans and Pre-Law Society

Undergraduate students who might consider attending law school got firsthand experience during a mock law school class recently co-taught by Delaware Law School Dean Todd Clark and Commonwealth Law School Dean andré douglas pond cummings. The pair walked students through a lively discussion as they provided real-world insight into the life of a law school student.
 
The class was just one way the university – which is uniquely home to two law schools – is supporting and encouraging students as they consider the legal profession. 

Widener has been experiencing an uptick among first-year undergraduate students who have expressed interest in pre-law. When Associate Professor Jordan Smith took over as advisor to the pre-law program last year, he wanted to find ways to connect with those students. 

“Around 10% of our incoming class last year expressed some level of interest in pre-law during the admissions process,” said Smith. “I mentioned the idea to the students at our organizational meeting, and this was probably the most popular of the events that I suggested. We're incredibly fortunate that the law school deans were eager to join forces!”

“Dean cummings and I go way back both personally and professionally, and it’s an honor to be able to team up with him for this event,” said Clark, who leads Widener’s law school in Wilmington, Delaware. “Events like this serve to introduce students to the experience of legal education, and get a glimpse of Delaware Law’s dedication to excellence. We are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders in the legal field.”

The event was co-hosted on the Chester campus by the Widener Pre-Law Society Club, whose mission is to bring students together in the interest of law and legal education. 

“This is one club that can connect many different majors,” said Pre-Law Society Club President Noor Fatima ’28. “People can be intimidated by law school but having a community can be a really positive thing.” 

Deans Clark and cummings shared a pre-selected contracts case with attendees before the gathering, so students could prepare for the mock class. They led the students through a fast-paced and interactive discussion, covering legal terminology and procedures. 
The deans cold-called on students, putting their knowledge to the test and creating a collaborative discussion among the over 30 students in attendance. 

“It was like deciphering a puzzle,” said Fatima. 

An international relations and political science major, Fatima is also pursuing a minor in legal studies and analysis and a certificate in ethical reasoning. She plans to attend law school after completing her undergraduate education, with an eye for practicing immigration law – inspired by the journey of her own family and community. 

Fatima believes that events like this can be a driving factor for students to continue working towards their legal careers by giving them a look into legal education early in their academic careers.

“It was really fun. I was lucky to be sitting there as a sophomore. There were also first-year students there getting that insight early on,” Fatima said. “this mock law class showed how legal education is and helped to build confidence for students to continue working towards their aspirations in the legal field. This is exactly how we envisioned the Pre-Law Society Club to serve students at Widener.”

Following a path to success

While this was a first look into law school for many students in attendance, political science major Sean Walls ’26 already had a sense of what law school is like through his time in Widener Law Commonwealth’s Pathway Program. 

Part of the school’s Center for Equity and Justice, the program provides law school admissions test preparation and immersive, in-person visits to classes at Widener Law Commonwealth – based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – at no cost. 

 

“The purpose of the Pathway Program is to walk alongside students and dismantle barriers in their journey to legal education,” said cummings. “Students of all ages and professions join the program, and it’s how we are able to build a culture of belonging and success at Widener Law Commonwealth.”

Walls was initially on track to pursue a government career, but after interning at a law firm and seeing the day-to-day life of an attorney, he viewed the legal profession as a way to make a difference. 

“Our system is not perfect, but in order to see the change you have to be the change,” said Walls. “The first time I was called on in my first mock law class, I knew I belonged there and that everyone else in the room with me also belonged.”

Walls was accepted into the Pathway Program and worked diligently to prepare for the LSAT while balancing his undergraduate course work, extracurricular clubs and sports and working two jobs. 

It paid off when he took the test and scored above the national average, cementing his acceptance to multiple law schools, including Delaware Law and Widener Law Commonwealth.

“I can’t speak highly enough about the Pathway Program and what it’s done for me. Dean cummings is inspiring generations of attorneys who are going to be social engineers,” he said, noting cummings and Clark are creating opportunity for a new generation of attorneys.
 
“That’s the power of Widener,” he said.