Wilmington University Names Judge Jan R. Jurden as Dean of its School of Law

Wilmington University is pleased to announce the appointment of the Honorable Jan R. Jurden as dean of the Wilmington University School of Law, effective April 1, 2025.

Judge Jurden brings an outstanding record of service to the role, having spent more than two decades on the bench. Appointed to the Superior Court in 2001, she was elevated to President Judge in 2015—the first woman in Delaware history to hold that position. She retired from the Delaware Superior Court earlier this year.

“Judge Jurden’s career reflects a genuine commitment to fairness, ethical leadership, and improving access to justice,” says Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne Harmon. “She brings wisdom and heart to everything she does, making her an ideal match for Wilmington University’s mission and values. Her leadership will inspire our students and faculty as we continue to build a program that serves the legal profession and our broader community with purpose and compassion.”

Judge Jurden’s judicial work included overseeing major criminal and civil cases and establishing specialized courts to meet the needs of underserved populations, including veterans and individuals with mental health challenges. She also played a vital role in managing court operations during the pandemic.

Before her judicial service, Judge Jurden practiced law for over a decade and became a partner at a prominent Delaware firm. A U.S. Army veteran, she served with distinction before pursuing a legal career. She holds a Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson Law and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Muhlenberg College.

A respected leader in Delaware’s legal community, Judge Jurden has been honored with numerous distinctions, including the Delaware State Bar Association’s Honorable Aida Waserstein Award and its Outstanding Service to the Courts and Bar Award. She has also been inducted into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame. In addition to her judicial service, Judge Jurden has contributed to legal education by teaching at several universities, including Wilmington University.

Judge Jurden’s appointment signals an exciting new chapter for the Wilmington University School of Law. She succeeds Dean Phil Closius, the law school’s first dean, who stepped away to spend more time with family after a distinguished legal practice, teaching, and academic leadership career. Dean Closius was instrumental in establishing the foundation for the law school and helping to secure provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association, which was awarded in February 2025, allowing its students to sit for the Bar exam, gain admission to the Bar, and pursue careers requiring an ABA-accredited degree.

“I am excited and honored to join the Wilmington University School of Law team and look forward to building on the groundwork laid under the leadership of Dean Closius,” says Judge Jurden. “I embrace the opportunity to be a part of an innovative, accessible, and inclusive law school whose mission is to provide an excellent, relevant, student-centric legal education. I am eager to get to work.”