TEMPLE UNIVERSITY BEASLEY SCHOOL OF LAW
2026 J.D. Day
Orientation Schedule
Welcome
Temple Law’s Orientation is designed to introduce you to the people, programs, and services at Temple Law School; prepare you for the start of the semester by teaching the skills needed to learn in a law school classroom; and introduce you to the professional responsibilities and values needed to succeed in law school and the legal profession.
Monday, August 17th
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Registration | Temple Performing Arts Center (TPAC) |
| 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Welcome Class of 2029 • Dean’s Welcome – Lonnie T. Brown, Jr., Kean Family Dean and Peter J. Liacouras Professor of Law • Faculty Welcome – Tom Lin, Murray H. Shusterman Chair and Professor of Law • Introduction of the Class of 2029 – Jen Bretschneider, Assistant Dean for Students and Strategic Initiatives • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging – Don Harris, Professor of Law and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison • Pledge of Professional Commitment – Jim Walsh, Assistant Dean of Career Strategy & Professional Development • Orientation Overview – Jen Bretschneider, Assistant Dean for Students and Strategic Initiatives and Britt Walden, Senior Director of Student Affairs and DEI Initiatives | TPAC |
| 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – Lunch (Provided) | Section 1-K1D Section 2-K2A Section 3-K2B |
| 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Law School Basics (Class 1) • Professor Jules Epstein – Section 1 • Associate Dean Kristen E. Murray – Section 2 • Professor Marian Braccia – Section 3 | Section 1-K1D Section 2-K2A Section 3-K2B |
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Optional Law School and Campus Tours | Help Desk |
Tuesday, August 18th
| 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – A Welcome from the Judiciary • Justice Daniel D. McCaffery, Pennsylvania Supreme Court • The Honorable Timika Lane, Pennsylvania Superior Court • The Honorable Megan Sullivan, Pennsylvania Superior Court • The Honorable Christopher Mallios, Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania | K1E |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Law School Basics (Class 2) • Professor Jules Epstein • Associate Dean Kristen E. Murray • Professor Marian Braccia | Section 1-K1D Section 2-K2A Section 3-K2B |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch on your own | Stop by the Help Desk for Recommendations |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Temple Lawyers in the Community • Jen Lee, Associate Dean for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Law • Jasper Katz, Associate Director, Career Strategy & Professional Development • Len Rieser, Program Coordinator, Sheller Center for Social Justice | K1E |
| 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM – An Inclusive Law School Community • Don Harris, Professor of Law and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison • Sarah Katz, Charles Klein Professor of Law and Government and Clinical Professor of Law • Jen Lee, Associate Dean for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Law • Ellie Margolis, Jack Feinberg ’57 Professor of Litigation • Dara Purvis, James E. Beasley Professor of Law • Len Rieser, Program Coordinator, Sheller Center for Social Justice | K1E |
Wednesday, August 19th
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Law School Basics (Class 3) • Professor Jules Epstein • Associate Dean Kristen E. Murray • Professor Marian Braccia | Section 1-K1D Section 2-K2A Section 3-K2B |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch on your own | Stop by the Help Desk for Recommendations |
| 1:15 PM – 1:45 PM – Law School Basics (Class 4) • Professor Jules Epstein • Associate Dean Kristen E. Murray • Professor Marian Braccia | K1E |
| 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Your Law Library: People, Spaces, and Resources • Gabriela Femenia, Director of the Law Library • Noa Kaumeheiwa, Head of Collections & Assessment • Charlie Perkins, Head of Public Services • Danny Buckwalter, Head of Outreach and Instruction • Ryan McGinnis, Reference & Access Services • Mariah Arieux, Metadata Librarian | K1E |
| 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM – Wellness and Resources • Laurie Besden, Executive Director, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers • The Honorable Ann M. Butchart, Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Retired) | K1E |
Thursday, August 20th
| 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – A Welcome From the Bar • Amando Dominick LAW ’21, Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office • James Dykman LAW ’24, Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania • Emilia McKee Vassallo LAW ’14, Partner, Ballard Spahr | K1E |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Student Life, Support, and Responsibilities at Temple Law • Jen Bretschneider, Assistant Dean for Students and Strategic Initiatives • Britt Walden, Senior Director of Student Affairs and DEI Initiatives CLASS OF 2029 PHOTOGRAPH *NOTE: This session with break at 11:45 for class photo | K1E |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch on your own | Stop by the Help Desk for Recommendations |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Introduction to the Office of Career Strategy & Professional Development • Jim Walsh, Assistant Dean, Career Strategy & Professional Development • Jasper Katz, Associate Director, Career Strategy & Professional Development • Anna DiSalvo Konschak, Director, Career Strategy & Professional Development • Christopher Neal, Director, Career Strategy & Professional Development | K1E |
| 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Academic Success Resources and Support • Noeleen Urmson, Associate Director of Academic Success | K1E |
| 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Closing Remarks • Jeffrey Dunoff, Associate Dean for Research and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Law | K1E |
| 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Student Services and Student Organization Fair Come engage and explore. Learn about the Temple Law community, join student organizations, and stop by for pizza and light fare at the tables. | Klein Hall 1st, 2nd, 3rd Floors |
Friday, August 21st
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Community Service Day Click here for details and to register | K1E |