At Penn Law, we teach the ideas and principles foundational to the practice of democracy and a just society. We trace our roots to two of our country’s Founders: to Ben Franklin, whose groundbreaking vision for higher education foresaw training young people for leadership in business and in public service; and to James Wilson, signatory of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, inaugural U.S. Supreme Court justice, and the first law lecturer at Penn, who believed that the “science of law” should be the study of every citizen.
Penn Law embodies this vision for American legal education at a critical time in our history. We are entering a new era in law. As new technologies, political events, and social and demographic changes abound, many are questioning the benefits and connectivity of globalization, as well as the dissolution of borders, real and virtual. The next generation of advocates and leaders will need new skills to address society’s myriad problems.
The legal, political, and financial world in which our newest graduates will forge their careers is in the midst of seismic change. Legal problems are becoming more complex and require that lawyers be proficient in other disciplines connected to law, such as business, technology, health, and public policy. Today lawyers are valued for their leadership, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills in boardrooms, in their communities, and in the halls of government.
This is a time of opportunity for attorneys equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience to navigate and manage these complex transitions in society, in the economy, and in law. As we embark on a new campaign, “Advocates for a New Era,” we focus our fundraising efforts on five key priorities: Access and Opportunity; Investing in Leaders; Pathways to Public Service; Transformative Thinkers; and New Era Discoveries.
We welcome your partnership and engagement as together we advance our leadership in legal education.
Sincerely,
