It’s not every day that aspiring lawyers can chat with a chief justice. So, when Delaware’s top judge, Chief Justice Collins Seitz, visited Wilmington University School of Law, students enjoyed hearing his insights and initiatives, beginning with the Delaware Bench and Bar Diversity Project. 

It’s about “making sure that the bench and the bar in Delaware reflect the population that we serve,” said Chief Justice Collins Seitz, citing a report with 50 ideas to increase diversity. “I am pleased to say that we have made substantial progress on all of those recommendations.”

Significant changes include offering the bar exam twice a year instead of once and reforming the test itself so “it’s doing what it’s supposed to do,” he said, adding that there shouldn’t be barriers for anyone wishing to take the test. 

Sitting beside Phillip Closius, J.D., the Law School’s Dean, Seitz casually chatted with the audience, tackling topics from the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal industry to the importance of “that human connection in the practice of law.” 

Of all the cases he’s tried since becoming a lawyer in 1983, Chief Justice Seitz shared one that stands out: New Jersey v. Delaware, a boundary dispute over a proposed liquified natural gas terminal in New Jersey that would have extended into the Delaware River. 

“The only way a state can sue another state is in the United States Supreme Court as an original case,” he said. “I spent two and a half years of my life litigating on behalf of the state of Delaware in the United States Supreme Court.” 

Delaware won, “although all of the justices on the U.S. Supreme Court from New Jersey dissented,” said Chief Justice Seitz, referring to it as a “once-in-a-lifetime case.” 

As for advice, he encouraged “newer lawyers to take cases pro bono because sometimes those are the cases where you can get into the courtroom the fastest.” And if considering a clerkship, Seitz said, “Frankly, it gives you a leg up, I think, in the hiring process.” 

When asked why out-of-state students may want to stay in Delaware, he praised the First State’s legal opportunities, mentoring, and accessibility.  

“You can do almost any area of law and make a successful living out of it in Delaware,” said Seitz, calling it “a very warm place to practice law.”

Following the conversation, Seitz received a warm reception at WilmU Law.  

“We were able to talk with him after the main discussion,” said Law Student Dalton Lahti. “I found that really inspirational.”

“It’s just another example of the endless support Wilmington University has received from the Delaware legal community in building this law school,” said classmate Elijah Westog. “The students are constantly impressed and grateful for that.”

Learn more about Wilmington University School of Law and how it provides broad access to affordable legal education within a student-centered culture at the most affordable tuition rate of any law school in the region.