Penn State Law

Law School launches $35 million campaign to benefit studentsPenn State University, The Dickinson School of Law has announced a $35 million fundraising goal as part of the University’s capital campaign, For the Future: A Campaign for Penn State Students. In the largest fundraising effort in its 175-year existence, the Law School has secured nearly $25 million as it enters the public phase of the campaign, set to conclude in 2014.

U.S. News & World Report features article on “how to get in” to Penn State LawFind out how to set your application apart from thousands of others by reading “How to Get In: Penn State Law” published by U.S. News & World Report.

Professor Dannin on highway privatization contracts: read the fine printProfessor Ellen Dannin, who focuses part of her scholarship on public-private partnerships, recently laid out in the Patriot-News why states should not privatize highways.

Senate confirms Vanaskie's seat on U.S. Court of Appeals for 3rd CircuitAfter months of waiting, Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie '78 is on his way to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, which covers all of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The Senate voted 77-20 to confirm Vanaskie as the court's newest judge.

Applications to Penn State Law increase 32 percentPenn State Law applications were double the level of 2008 and up 32 percent over last year. “We’ve processed 5,323 applications this year compared to 4,048 in 2009,” said Jay Shively, assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. “In addition, we had a very impressive and diverse applicant pool making our admission decisions all the more challenging.”

President Obama Nominates Vanaskie ’78 to Third CircuitOn Friday, August 7, President Obama nominated Judge Thomas Vanaskie ’78 to the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The post is one step below the U.S. Supreme Court and covers all of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Professor Kinports reflects on legacy of Justice StevensKit Kinports, Polisher Family Distinguished Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law, served as a clerk on the Supreme Court for a year during Justice Stevens’ tenure. She recently shared some thoughts on his legacy and what to expect moving forward.

LL.M. applicants from around the world attend Penn State Law’s first virtual open houseFour current LL.M. students and LL.M. program director, Professor Karen Bysiewicz, welcomed prospective students from a half dozen countries to a first-ever “virtual” open house on April 14. “For students to make a commitment to a school, sight unseen, is a lot to ask,” said Bysiewicz. “Our goal was a real-time discussion where the students could see and hear from us, so that it would make the students’ decision easier.”

Senate confirms Professor Keckler's appointment to Legal Services BoardProfessor Charles Keckler's nomination by President Obama to serve on the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Keckler said he is "honored to be appointed. It's a way for me to continue to participate in public service while still continuing with my current work."

Penn State Law students go pro bono over spring breakWhile many law students spend spring break catching up on rest and relaxation before the end of the semester crunch, Penn State Law students Hannah Suhr ’11 and Eunice Yang ’12 spent their break as public service volunteers in the Public Interest Law Fund’s Alternative Spring Break program.