Misericordia University Announces Intent to Establish School of Law

Misericordia University announced its intention to establish the Misericordia University School of Law, a law school designed to expand access to legal education, address legal workforce needs throughout northeastern Pennsylvania and prepare future attorneys committed to service, leadership and justice.

The university engaged in a planning and evaluation process for more than a year, developing plans necessary to launch and support the school, including preparing for accreditation requirements, academic planning, strategic partnerships, fundraising and facility development.

As envisioned, the proposed school would become the first law school located in northeastern Pennsylvania and would build upon Misericordia University’s century-long tradition of preparing graduates for lives of professional excellence and compassionate service to others and their communities.

“The study of law is ultimately about serving others, strengthening communities, protecting rights, and advancing justice,” said Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., president of Misericordia University. “A Misericordia law school would be grounded in the University’s Mercy values while preparing attorneys who are equipped to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and communities throughout our region and beyond.”

The announcement follows extensive preliminary research and consultation with the American Bar Association regarding legal education, attorney workforce trends, employer demand and opportunities to expand access to legal studies in northeastern Pennsylvania.

University leaders said the proposed law school would be further developed in consultation with legal professionals, judges, employers, community leaders, higher education experts and professional organizations.

“Our goal is not simply to create a law school,” Myers said. “Our goal is to create a distinctive law school that reflects the values of service, ethical leadership, academic excellence and opportunity that have defined Misericordia University for more than 100 years.”

With this public announcement, the university launches the next phase of developmental activities, including:

• Recruitment of the founding Dean and law school faculty;
• Pursuit of philanthropic support, including a $10M campaign
• Development of curriculum and experiential learning opportunities;
• Engagement with legal and community stakeholders;
• Completion of accreditation and state authorization processes; and
• Preparation of instructional and support facilities.

The current name of the school is the Misericordia University School of Law, although university officials noted that naming opportunities and other developments may cause that to change as the process moves forward.

The first class is expected to enroll during the second half of 2028. The school would be located in some of the academic space at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus as part of the pending lease agreement between Misericordia University and HGC Development LLC, the entity recently approved by the Penn State Board of Trustees to acquire the campus following its closure in June 2027. The law school will occupy some of that space, and the university will also offer other programming that will not necessarily be linked to the law school. 

Additional details regarding the proposed law school’s structure, leadership, timeline, and enrollment goals will be announced as planning progresses.

The Misericordia University School of Law will meet a national need, but more importantly, a regional need, for well-educated legal professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of lawyers is projected to grow by 5 percent between 2025 and 2035, with approximately 28,700 job openings expected annually as new positions are created and experienced attorneys retire or leave the profession. At the same time, many rural and underserved communities continue to face significant shortages of legal professionals, creating ongoing challenges in access to legal services and justice. A new law school can help strengthen the talent pipeline while preparing the next generation of attorneys to serve their communities.

Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s oldest four-year higher education institution. Situated on a scenic 129-acre campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania, this private Catholic university serves a vibrant student body of approximately 2,250 students through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and College of Health Sciences and Education. MU offers undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs in both full- and part-time formats. Guided by its core values of mercy, service, justice and hospitality, Misericordia combines rigorous academics with a robust commitment to hands-on learning, collaborative research and community service. 

Beyond its strong academic profile and commitment to personalized attention, the university fields a successful array of varsity sports teams. The Misericordia Cougars compete at the NCAA Division III level within the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom, fostering a championship-winning athletic culture alongside dedicated student-athlete academic success. For more information on the university, call (570) 674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu.