Meet Our Administration

Jan JurdenIncoming Dean

Judge Jurden brings over two decades of judicial experience to her role, having served on the Delaware Superior Court since 2001 and as its President Judge from 2015 until her recent retirement. Notably, she was the first woman in Delaware's history to hold the position of President Judge. Her judicial work included oversight of major criminal and civil cases and the establishment of specialized courts focused on the needs of underserved populations, such as veterans and individuals with mental health challenges.

Prior to her judicial career, Judge Jurden practiced law for more than a decade, becoming a partner at a prominent Delaware firm. A U.S. Army veteran, she served with distinction before entering the legal profession. Judge Jurden holds a Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Muhlenberg College. She has also contributed to legal education by teaching at several universities, including Wilmington University. 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, and has been inducted into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame.

Trezlen DrakeAssociate Dean for Library and Information Resources

Ms. Drake has spent more than ten years as an academic law librarian, with experience in research, collection development, and electronic resources at top-ranked law schools and a strong record of service in the profession. She earned a JD from Georgia State University College of Law and an MLIS with a Special Certificate in Law Librarianship from the University of Washington iSchool. Ms. Drake is passionate about students developing and strengthening their research skills as a part of legal practice.

Ms. Drake also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of South Carolina and a BA in American Studies from Colby College. Her current research and writing interests include FCIL collections in academic libraries, teaching pedagogy, DEI/B, positive workplace environment, human rights, and poetry.

Kimberly GattusoAssociate Dean for Experiential Learning

Combining her experience as a Delaware lawyer, legal recruiter and law firm administrator responsible for hiring and training associate attorneys, Ms. Gattuso helps students develop real-word, practical lawyering skills through a variety of experiential learning opportunities. These programs provide students with valuable hands-on experience that will help them succeed regardless of their future career path.

Prior to transitioning to academia, Ms. Gattuso practiced law for more than 15 years, held leadership positions with the Delaware State Bar Association, ran her own legal recruiting firm and trained associate attorneys at one of the oldest law firms in Delaware. She earned her J.D. from Widener University School of Law and holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Delaware.

Heather Karns Associate Dean for Career Services

Ms. Karns has worked in higher education for more than 25 years, supporting students and connecting them with employers. She has worked in the law school setting and served for many years as Assistant Dean for Career Services and Alumni Affairs at the University of Toledo College of Law. During that time, she led teams supporting both traditional and non-traditional law students and regularly worked with alumni navigating career transitions.

Ms. Karns worked with local, state and federal bar associations, was a member of the National Association of Law Placement (NALP) and is a member of Rotary. She believes in student-centeredness, the power of connecting, giving back, and the importance of developing lifelong leaders and learners. She looks forward to helping WilmU Law students explore career options, expand their networks, seek and obtain opportunities, and grow as professionals.

She received an Executive MBA from the University of Toledo, an M.Ed. in Counseling from Clemson University, and a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Toledo. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Laurie MeehanAssociate Dean for Law Academics

As a leader in academic affairs, Ms. Meehan has overseen strategic enrollment management, academic curriculum planning, course scheduling, registration, advising and exam administration. She has worked in higher education for 18 years—the last 10 at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She earned her J.D. as an evening student in Baltimore’s program while working at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Ms. Meehan also holds an M.S. in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Communications from Monmouth University.

Taylor Warrington-PurcellAssistant to the Dean

Ms. Warrington-Purcell has worked in various levels of education over the last 5 years. As an educator, she focused on Professional Development, Diversity Training, Childhood Development, and Montessori Teaching principles as an elementary teaching assistant. Ultimately, these tools highlighted the goal to educate diverse individuals and empower them through connection. This led her to work in higher education for Wilmington University beginning 2019. Once the School of Law was announced, Ms. Warrington-Purcell was excited to start a new path with the Law School by connecting students with law staff and faculty.

Ms. Warrington-Purcell has a long history with Wilmington University and is a Delaware native. She holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Education, Criminal Justice, Art, and English from Wilmington University. She is also a member of the Disney Alumni Association after completing her internship in Orlando.

Jeffrey ZavrotnyAssociate Dean for Law Admissions

Mr. Zavrotny has worked in admissions for more than 25 years, including undergraduate admissions at King’s College and graduate admissions at the University of Baltimore. He spent the past 16 years at the University of Baltimore in law admissions—the last 14 as assistant dean.

Mr. Zavrotny also worked as a consultant for Oracle PeopleSoft at multiple U.S. universities. He earned his MBA and J.D. as a nontraditional student at the University of Baltimore. He also holds a bachelor’s in History with a second major in Criminal Justice from King’s College.