Mary Hannah Leavitt

Mary Hannah Leavitt served as the Distinguished Jurist in Residence at Widener University School of Law from 2014 to 2016. During her tenure, she taught a colloquium on special problems in government litigation, delivered public lectures on legal issues in Pennsylvania, and engaged with faculty and students. Her role was hosted by the Law and Government Institute. Prior to this, she served as a Judge on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania since 2002. Before her judicial career, she was a shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll, focusing on administrative law, appellate practice, and insurance regulatory law. Earlier, she held roles at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, including Assistant Counsel, Chief of Litigation, and Chief Counsel under Governor Dick Thornburgh. Her professional background spans over 30 years in legal practice, academia, and public service.

Education:

• BA, Connecticut College
• MA, University of Pennsylvania
• JD, Dickinson School of Law

Professional Experience:

• Adjunct Professor, Pennsylvania State University
• Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll
• Judge, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (2002–2023)

Leavitt’s expertise lies at the intersection of administrative law, government litigation, and regulatory practice. Her contributions to legal education emphasize bridging theoretical and practical legal challenges in public policy and governance.