CARLISLE, Pa. — Penn State Dickinson Law Senior Associate Dean for External Affairs & Chief of Staff Laura H. Williams, Penn State Dickinson Law class of 1990, received the 2026 Anne X. Alpern Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession (WIP) during the WIP Annual Conference held in Pittsburgh on May 7.
The award is given annually to a woman who has made a significant professional impact in Pennsylvania, demonstrating leadership in her law-related profession and community while mentoring other women and elevating them within the legal profession.
It is named for Anne X. Alpern, who was both the first woman to serve as Pennsylvania attorney general and the first female justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
“Anne X. Alpern was a pioneer. It means so much to me to receive an award named after a woman with such an impressive legal career, and I am humbled to be a small part of that pioneering legacy,” said Williams.
Past recipients of the Alpern Award include Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Christine Donohue, Pennsylvania Superior Court President Judge Anne E. Lazarus, and Reed Smith Partner Dusty Elias Kirk, class of 1979, a fellow Penn State Dickinson Law graduate.
“Dean Williams is a friend, a sister, a confidante, a colleague and my right hand at Penn State Dickinson Law," said Penn State Dickinson Law and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway. "She does the hard work and, in characteristic form, asks nothing in return, except a commitment to collective uplift for the benefit of students, staff, faculty and administrator colleagues. She is dedicated to the values of antiracism, inclusion, dignity, integrity, justice, equity and equal opportunity. She is the North Star of our Law School. Justice Alpern's legacy and memory are well represented in the in the person and the professional who is Senior Associate Dean and Chief of Staff Laura Williams. She is so deserving of this great honor.”
Exemplifying a ‘true commitment to the legal profession’
Renee C. Mattei Montgomery, member at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, has been friends with Williams for decades and nominated her for the award.
“Laura has an extraordinary ability to lift up those around her,” said Mattei Montgomery. “From the time we met almost 30 years ago, she has shown a true commitment to the legal profession and the community in the most selfless way. She takes a genuine interest in helping law students and younger attorneys succeed, and I am honored to have her as a friend.”
PA Association for Justice Executive Director Lisa M. Benzie is another longtime Williams friend who served on the Alpern Award committee in the past.
“Laura Williams is a truly fitting recipient of the Anne X. Alpern Award, embodying the very spirit and purpose of this honor. She brings an exceptional combination of integrity, intellect and dedication to her work while consistently uplifting those around her,” said Benzie. “Having the privilege of knowing Laura personally, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of her leadership and her deep commitment to both the profession and her community. This recognition reflects not only her many accomplishments but also the authenticity, humility and purpose with which she achieves them.”
Embracing opportunities for mentorship
Williams has always strived to encourage other women to step into leadership positions and further their careers. “Whenever I have had an opportunity to mentor or sponsor women, I do it,” said Williams. “I think creating opportunities for others means being willing to spend your own political capital, and I have always tried to do that.”
She herself embraced an unexpected opportunity bringing her back to her alma mater a decade ago. At that time, she was serving as the president and CEO of Team Pennsylvania, a statewide public-private partnership focused on economic development in the commonwealth, when then-Dean Gary S. Gildin invited her to take a temporary position in the Career Services Office. She accepted and quickly decided to stay on past the 90 days he initially proposed.
“There is something special about the Penn State Dickinson Law community,” said Williams. “When I came back to the Law School, I realized being a part of shaping the next generation of Penn State Dickinson Law lawyers was so appealing to me.”
She serves as the adviser to the Women’s Law Caucus, which submitted letters of recommendation in support of her award nomination.
“Dean Williams has stood beside me through many major career decisions in my law school journey. She has reviewed my résumés, coached me on networking at conferences, introduced me to her colleagues and offered practical, candid advice,” said Morgan Page, class of 2026.
Above all, Williams said, she finds reward in building community and connecting people at the Law School. Page particularly praised her efforts on behalf of other women.
“Dean Williams is a ‘girls’ girl.’ She is a woman who uplifts and empowers other women in the legal profession. Every single member of the Women’s Law Caucus who submitted a recommendation spoke highly of Dean Williams’s service, impact, and tireless commitment to the advancement of women in law,” said Page. “I was thrilled to learn that she was selected to receive this award.”