Harrisburg, Pennsylvania—Widener University Commonwealth Law School faces an unexpected challenge as one of its prominent alumni, Alina Habba, garners widespread criticism for her defense of former President Donald Trump.
According to a report by Raw Story on Friday, January 19, despite Habba’s significant role in Trump’s legal team and the national spotlight, the law school has opted for virtual silence on her accomplishments, leading to inquiries about her standing within the institution.
Habba, a 2010 graduate of Widener Commonwealth, has become a central figure in Trump’s legal battles. However, the law school, ranked in the bottom 20 percent of law schools by U.S. News & World Report, has refrained from acknowledging her current high-profile role.
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Efforts by Raw Story to obtain comments from Widener Commonwealth deans, professors, and alumni resulted in minimal response, indicating an unexpected reticence from the institution.
Widener Commonwealth’s website does not mention Habba in its “alumni spotlight,” and she remains absent from the “alumni news” section. The only acknowledgment of her existence is a fleeting reference on page 35 of Volume 17, Number 2 of the Widener University School of Law Magazine from Fall 2010, where she is pictured with a basketball, part of a class gift donated to the school.
However, the absence of accolades from her alma mater is not the sole challenge facing Habba. Her legal skills and courtroom behavior have come under intense scrutiny during the ongoing federal case determining damages owed to writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of defamation.
Habba’s courtroom performance has faced widespread criticism for incompetence and a lack of understanding of basic courtroom protocol. Social media platforms have been flooded with disparaging remarks about her legal education and ability.
Critics have mockingly questioned whether she obtained her law degree from Trump University and made unfavorable comparisons to fictional characters with questionable legal skills. During the proceedings, Habba failed to adhere to courtroom etiquette, drawing a rebuke from U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan.
Her shortcomings, including a lack of understanding of evidence procedures, were exposed during the trial, prompting observers to question her competence as a legal representative. The online commentary suggested that Habba’s actions may have adversely impacted the perception of Widener University Commonwealth Law School.
Raw Story reached out to former students from Widener Commonwealth, but responses were limited, with only two out of seven individuals providing comments. One former student acknowledged that Habba had a different political stance during law school, describing her as left-leaning.
However, the overall sentiment among alumni remains elusive, with the lack of substantial comments raising questions about the nature of Habba’s relationships within the institution.
Despite the criticisms and social media backlash, Habba continues to represent Trump in a high-stakes legal battle. As the controversy surrounding her performance unfolds, the broader implications for her standing within Widener University Commonwealth Law School remain uncertain.
The reluctance of the institution to acknowledge her achievements raises questions about the delicate balance between an individual’s professional accomplishments and their alma mater’s willingness to embrace their success.
