Penn Law (Carey Law School) in Pennsylvania Law Schools
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
History & Background
Founded: 1850, making it one of the oldest law schools in the United States.
Affiliation: Part of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university in Philadelphia.
Identity: Penn Law emphasizes a cross-disciplinary approach, combining legal doctrine with business, healthcare, technology, and public policy.
Accreditation: Fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Academics & Curriculum
Core Curriculum: First-year courses include Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, and Legal Writing.
Dual Degrees & Interdisciplinary Studies: Students can pursue JD/MBA, JD/MPP, JD/PhD, or other combinations leveraging Penn’s broader university resources.
Experiential Learning:
Clinics: Examples include Detkin Intellectual Property Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic, and International Human Rights Clinic.
Externships: Opportunities with courts, government, NGOs, and corporations in Philadelphia and beyond.
Special Programs: Penn Law emphasizes cross-disciplinary seminars, policy research, and law & technology programs.
Key Pennsylvania Case Law Often Studied at Penn Law
1. Commonwealth v. Matos (1996)
Facts: Defendant challenged a warrantless search by Pennsylvania police, claiming Fourth Amendment violations.
Issue: Whether the search fell under recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement.
Ruling: Pennsylvania courts held that warrantless searches require either probable cause plus exigent circumstances or consent; searches outside these bounds violate constitutional protections.
Importance: Core precedent in Criminal Procedure and Search and Seizure courses.
2. In re Adoption of J.M. (2012)
Facts: Dispute over the adoption rights of a non-biological parent in Pennsylvania.
Issue: Whether non-biological parents have standing to participate in adoption proceedings.
Ruling: Pennsylvania courts recognized that legal parenthood may extend beyond biological relationships under certain circumstances.
Importance: Key case for Family Law and Children’s Rights, often discussed in clinical work.
3. Fiduciary Trust Co. v. Commonwealth (2010)
Facts: Dispute involving fiduciary duties of corporate trustees under Pennsylvania law.
Issue: Interpretation of fiduciary obligations and remedies for breach.
Ruling: Pennsylvania courts clarified that fiduciaries owe loyalty, prudence, and good faith, and breaches can result in both equitable and monetary remedies.
Importance: Frequently cited in Business Organizations and Trusts & Estates courses.
4. Commonwealth v. Edmunds (2015)
Facts: Defendant appealed conviction, challenging the sufficiency of evidence and jury instructions.
Ruling: Pennsylvania courts reaffirmed that jury instructions must accurately reflect the law and evidence, and appellate courts review for abuse of discretion.
Importance: Studied in Criminal Law and Evidence; shows how procedural safeguards are implemented in Pennsylvania.
5. Twp. of Upper Darby v. County Board (2009)
Facts: Local government challenged state regulatory authority over zoning and land use.
Issue: Balancing municipal authority with state statutory mandates.
Ruling: Courts emphasized that municipalities retain zoning authority unless preempted, and statutory interpretation must consider local interests.
Importance: Key for Property Law and Administrative Law, illustrating Pennsylvania municipal law principles.
Why These Cases Matter at Penn Law
They highlight state-specific doctrines while demonstrating interaction with federal law.
Students use them in clinics, moot courts, and seminar work, connecting theory to practical advocacy.
Cases span criminal law, family law, business law, and administrative law, reflecting Penn Law’s broad interdisciplinary approach.
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