Jennifer Leonard L’04 is Penn Law’s Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the Future of the Profession Initiative (“FPI”). Jen’s work at Penn Law focuses on developing a deep understanding of what legal professionals need to be successful in the face of constant transformation. Working with a collaborative group of colleagues across the law school and the profession, Jen designs ways to educate new law students about changes in the profession and the skills they need to thrive in the future. FPI also focuses on finding opportunities to engage Penn Law students and creative thinkers from across disciplines in designing solutions that make broader legal systems accessible to a diverse client base.
Before assuming her current role, Jen served as Associate Dean for Professional Engagement and Director of the Center on Professionalism at Penn Law. Before returning to Penn Law, Jen served as Chief of Staff to the City Solicitor of Philadelphia, as a litigation associate with a Center City law firm and as a judicial law clerk.
Jen graduated from Penn Law in 2004 and from Penn State University, with high honors, in 2000.
Jen is a frequent writer and speaker on issues that include lawyer and law student well-being, design thinking for lawyers and promotion and advancement of women attorneys. She serves as a member of the ABA Law Practice Attorney Well-Being Committee and received Penn’s Beverly Edwards Memorial Award for Excellence in Leadership. Jen lives with her husband, two kids, and very patient German Shepherd in Philadelphia. She serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of The Caring Center, an early childhood education center in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia.
