CHARLES WIDGER
SCHOOL OF LAW
WHY VILLANOVA LAW?
At Villanova Law, our broad-based legal education is grounded in academic rigor; practical, hands-on training; and a foundation in business that primes graduates for diverse and rewarding legal careers. Wherever your interests may lie—international law, corporate law, intellectual property law or public interest law—you will find programs that will prepare you for the future.
Guided by our Where Law Meets Business philosophy, our programming infuses vital business principles, professional skills, ethical training and practical experiences into each student’s education. Through innovative coursework, numerous clinics and hundreds of externship placements, Villanova students learn by doing—and graduate with the knowledge and skills needed for success in today’s competitive job market.
PROGRAMS
THE VILLANOVA LAW DIFFERENCE
NEWS & EVENTS
The 19th Annual John F. Scarpa Conference on Law, Politics and Culture, 01/31
Through a discussion about Steven Hayward’s Patriotism Is Not Enough (2017), the 19th Annual John F. Scarpa Conference on Law, Politics and Culture will invite constructive exercises of the political imagination made exigent by liberalism’s exhaustion. Speakers include leading experts in law, political philosophy, history, theology, public policy and conservative thought.
Reza Taleghani ’97 JD/MBA, P’27 Gives Largest Gift Ever to Villanova’s Graduate Center and Bolsters Law School’s Mission and Strategic Priorities
Reza Taleghani ’97 JD/MBA, P’27 has long championed Villanova University’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and community among both graduate and law students. His recent $1 million gift to name two distinct campus spaces is a further testament to this dedication, enriching the experience for graduate students across the University and enhancing resources for the Villanova Law.
Margo Chapin ’26 and Ry Stratton ’26 Win 65th Annual Theodore L. Reimel Moot Court Competition
After weeks of preparation and preliminary arguments, the final round of the 65th Annual Theodore L. Reimel ’24 CLAS Moot Court Competition concluded on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Margo Chapin ’26 and Ry Stratton ’26, who argued on behalf of the petitioner, were victorious.
Graduate Tax Program Names First Recipient of Public Interest-Focused “Caritas Scholarship”
In 2024, Silya Shaw ’25 LLM, deputy director of Legal Aid of Western Missouri, was selected as the first recipient of the Villanova University Graduate Tax Program’s Caritas Scholarship. Established to benefit tax professionals working with underserved populations in the public interest sector, the scholarship provides access to the Master of Laws in Taxation (LLM) at a more affordable rate.
AT A GLANCE
12
MILES OUTSIDE
PHILADELPHIA
330+
EXTERNSHIPS IN NONPROFIT,
CORPORATE & GOVERNMENT
8
in-house
legal clinics
161
STUDENTS ENTERING
THE CLASS OF 2026
40+
SBA-SUPPORTED
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
12,000+
ALUMNI
WORLDWIDE
Advocates. Scholars. Leaders.
Judicial clerkships give recent law graduates a front-row seat to how judges handle cases in trial and appellate courts, whether at the state or federal level. But clerks aren’t just watching—they are participating actively by assisting the judge with research, writing opinions and handling tasks that keep the court running smoothly. MORE...
Strong communication skills are vital for a successful legal career, with employers rating proficiency in writing as the most important skill in new hires. At Villanova Law, we’re committed to preparing our students with the legal writing skills they need to be practice-ready, day one and beyond. MORE...
Villanova lawyers can be found everywhere–from international law firms to government agencies, from nonprofit organizations to major corporations. A Villanova Law education prepares you to be not only a great lawyer, but also a great leader. And we have the alumni to prove it with Villanovans in leadership positions in many sectors of the legal field. MORE...
Successful trial attorneys must be highly skilled in the complex art of the trial, and they must also possess a complete understanding of the law. At Villanova Law, we prepare students to become courtroom-ready advocates through our extensive Trial Advocacy programming and activities. MORE...
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law may seem an unlikely host for the Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic (FLAC), but one in ten jobs in Pennsylvania is in the agriculture industry. Villanova is located just an hour away from Kennett Square, the “mushroom capital of the world,” and a few hours’ drive from central Pennsylvania’s apple and peach orchards. In terms of mission, the fit is perfect. MORE...
CENTERS & INSTITUTES