Jenna Messa sworn into Pennsylvania Bar

2015 Dec 15

A group of Delaware Law School graduates took their oaths and were inducted into the Pennsylvania Bar recently at a ceremony unique for Delaware Law School alumni.

The Hon. Charles P. Mirarchi Jr. Pennsylvania Bar Induction Ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Philadelphia City Hall. Three alumni judges presided over the event with Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper, president judge for the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia.

Judge Paul P. Panepinto '76 of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Civil Trial Division, gave the keynote, while other remarks came from Judge George W. Overton, '86, of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Civil Trial Division and Administrative Judge Margaret T. Murphy, '77, of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Family Division. Alumnus William P. Fedullo, '76, immediate past chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, moved for the graduates' admissions. Law Dean Rod Smolla also spoke.

The inductees included:

Jenna Messa, of West Chester, Pa., 19380. She is the daughter of Raymond and Margaret Messa of West Chester. Messa's plans include working in criminal or public interest law.

The induction ceremony was officially named in honor of Mirarchi in 2010. He was a founding member of the law school's early parents' association, a strong financial supporter of Delaware Law School and served as both a member of the school's Board of Overseers and on its adjunct faculty. Mirarchi founded the school's annual bar induction ceremony for new Pennsylvania lawyers in Philadelphia. He died in May 2010.

Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, applied leadership, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. Its Delaware Law School is the First State's only law school, providing juris doctor, legal graduate and paralegal degree programs with an emphasis on developing legal professionals who reflect the Delaware Way and its traditions of civility, integrity and mutual respect. The school offers signature programs in corporate and business law, environmental law, family health law and policy, and trial advocacy. Widener University is proud to be tobacco free. Visit delawarelaw.widener.edu for more information.