3/11/2024

By Ronald P. Oddo

Ronald P. Oddo

The Widener Law Review is dedicated to publishing scholarship pertaining to current legal issues. Each academic year, the law review publishes one volume, which generally consists of two issues. Our publications embrace a diverse range of publication material, including essays, scholarly articles, and student-authored notes. Moreover, law review membership is a tremendous academic achievement and is limited to those who demonstrate a strong commitment to academia. Being a member of a law review anywhere is universally recognized by employers and academics as a substantial achievement and further demonstrates their aptitude for legal writing and research.

The significance of the Widener Law Review extends beyond being a platform for legal scholars; it functions as a cohesive community fostering an environment where students, faculty, and alumni can share common interests. The Law Review is a lifelong commitment, with alumni playing an active role in subsequent volumes. Law review alumni often provide invaluable advice and the opportunity for one-on-one discussions with current members.

On a personal note, the law review has been one of my proudest accomplishments and the most fulfilling experience of my law school career. As a staff editor in volume 29, I gained invaluable experience through exposure to a broad range of legal academia ranging from a military law note written by a U.S. Army captain to an article about the intricacies of non-disclosure agreements and its crossroads with the First Amendment by a renowned scholar, Burt Neuborne. This experience encompassed not only writing and research skillsets, but also how to be a team player; how to communicate clearly and effectively with my peers; and, how to present myself as a professional. The law review is a powerful tool for opening doors and rigorous learning, for which I am immensely grateful.

As editor-in-chief, I have had the pleasure of working alongside a brilliant and passionate board and staff editors who, whenever called upon, have gone above and beyond. Above all else, the law review has fostered lasting professional and platonic relationships between its members; I am certain that my colleagues value this just as much as I do.

The law review's impact goes beyond its immediate community, as well, with alumni publications cited in prestigious forums, including an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of the United States, authored by Jamie Judefind, editor-in-chief of volume 28, showcasing the direct influence of law review on national litigation. Judefind is presently an associate in top Delaware law firm and has recently been elected to the Delaware Real Estate Women’s Board of Directors. This year, volume 30 is showcasing the achievement of its talented members, with four of them–Jordan White, Alexa Hill, Sarah Plasse, and Hannah Schweizer–being published.

Moreover, the law review organizes an annual symposium on diverse topics. Volume 29’s board and staff presented on issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and professional identity – bringing together legal educators, judges, practicing lawyers, and law students. Among the panelists was Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. of the Delaware Supreme Court. This year, volume 30 continues this tradition by partnering with the Delaware chapter of the American Constitution Society to present a symposium on the freedom of religion and anti-establishment clauses of the First Amendment.

In the realm of legal academia, the Widener Law Review represents not just a publication but a professional community, a testament to the dedication and intellectual rigor of its members over the last thirty years.