George Read initiates Widener Law's first ever, "Professionalism Week".

From left to right:  Jim McDowell (speaker at "Financial GPS" Professionalism Week Event and current District XXXIII Justice), Jim Lewis (creator of Professionalism Week and Vice Justice), Dean Linda Ammons

One of the cornerstones of Phi Alpha Delta is “professionalism”. As law students, we are already members of the legal profession, and therefore, must act in accordance with the ethics and guidelines prescribed to our field. This belief of establishing professionalism in law students is especially import to Widener University School of Law. The administration requires students to attend “Professionalism Day” every year that they are enrolled in order to graduate. The idea behind this all important day is to enhance different “professional” ideals in order to create awareness of the requirements of young attorneys.

Jim Lewis, Vice Justice for the Read Chapter, and PAD Sister Shloka Joshi took initiative to combine Phi Alpha Delta's core belief and couple it with the school's zeal of instilling it in students, and took the school's “Professionalism Day” and turned it into “Professionalism Week". The school's main event was scheduled for Wednesday, October 27^th. Brother Lewis contacted the Presidents of other student organizations at Widener to see if there was an interest in providing programming for the week. After finding a number of people looking to get involved, he started the planning process.

Jim's vision for the main purpose of the week's events was to enforce the school's messages from Professionalism Day, and expand upon it with additional events focusing on various professional themes. After meeting with other student leaders on campus, the decision was made to focus on three main issues: personal finances, the importance of ethics, and service to the community.

Jim took charge of the event that would kick start the week by inviting Brother Dan McDowell, District Justice for District XXXIII, to come speak on the topic of managing finances as a young professional. Brother Lewis first heard this presentation at the 58th Biennial Convention in Tampa, FL and decided would be the perfect way to start the series of events.

After coordinating with other student groups holding events that week, as well as the Student Bar Association at Widener, the faculty in charge of Professionalism Day, and various members of the administration, Brother Lewis was able to approve the events and fly Brother McDowell from Pittsburgh to Delaware in order to give his presentation dubbed, “Financial GPS”.

Brother McDowell spoke in the Barristers’ Club at Widener to a crowd of students and administration from Widener, the majority of whom are members of the Read Chapter. He focused on turning your financial situation, even with the enormous student loan, credit card, and auto loan debt, into one where you're the one making the decisions – not life's events, banks, and creditors. He took a number of engaging questions at the conclusion of his presentation and everyone present was impressed with the information that he had to offer.

The Food & Drug Law Association, formed this year by George Read Sister Sara Aslaleh, took charge of the ethics event on Tuesday, October 27^th. She invited Widener Law Professor Roseann Termini, member of the PA Board of Ethics Committee, speak about the importance of ethics in the legal profession. She asked audience members to really delve into their own moral and ethical codes of conduct, and ask how they compare to the profession's. An excellent discussion followed about how the professional code of conduct merely sets the lowest bar of ethics, and it is up to individual lawyers to use their own code to do better.

Finally, the Public Interest Law Alliance took control of the community service event on Thursday. PILA sponsored a Donation Pledge and Toy Drive to help make this holiday season a great one for underprivileged foster children in Delaware. George Read Sister Kelly Allegretti and Justice Andrew Quietmeyer, both members of PILA, worked with Nicole Phillips, PILA President, to seek out $25 pledges, unused/unwrapped toys, and gently-used children's books throughout the day on Thursday, October 28^th.

The big event of the week, Professionalism Day itself on Wednesday, October 27^th, had major involvement from the Read Chapter. The chairwoman of the event, Professor Louise Hill, specifically requested the help of the Read Chapter, and Phi Alpha Delta delivered: Andrew Quietmeyer (Justice), Rachelle DeCinque, Nicole Stanzione (former Vice Justice), Jenna Kring, Alicea Milbourne (Marshall), Kimberly Renner (Clerk), Ashley Talley (Academic Chair), Edward Hughes, Darya Natesova (Etiquette Dinner Chair), Daniel Rapoport, Kaitlyn O'Neill, Robert Schweiger, Angie Kandil, Charles Glass, Clint Orem (Professional Development Chair), Ariel Viray, Natalie Missouri, Joseph Greco, Dominic Carrera, Melissa Caltabiano, and Prema Roddam all volunteered to work the event during its 14 hour duration.

There were three sessions throughout the day designed for 2L/3L, 1L, and Extended Division students. At each session, students attended panel discussions focused on the Bar, Public Interest Jobs, Large/Medium Firm Associates, Judicial clerkship, Ethics discussion, and much more. Dean Linda Ammons spoke at all sessions about the importance of developing a professional reputation now, regardless of where students are in their law school journey.

All in all, the Jim Lewis' first “Professionalism Week” at Widener University School of Law was a huge success, with accolades from the school's administration and the Student Bar Association. It would not have been possible without the efforts and support of the administration of the school, the aid of the Student Bar Association, the students who attended the events, the services of Brother Dan McDowell, all the members of the Read Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, and of course, Jim Lewis' hard work who dedicated his time to take a great event and make it even better.

Phi Alpha Delta, George Read Chapter Executive Board.  From left to right:  Jim Lewis (Vice Justice), Josh Inkell (former Justice and current Alumni Liaison), Danielle Strauch (Extended Division Liaison), Dan McDowell (District XXXIII Justice), Kimberly Renner (Clerk), Dean Linda Ammons, Andrew Quietmeyer (Justice).  Not pictured due to class schedule:  Alicea Milbourne (Marshall), Jason Greenspon (Treasurer)

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer, co-written by Jim Lewis