Announcements
Week of 26 September 2022
EVENTS
Moral and Legal Considerations of the Deshaun Watson Case
Wednesday, September 28, at 4:30pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg '66 Commons
Join Villanova Law professors Andrew Brandt, Director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law, and Shea Rhodes, Director of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, as they discuss Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson, and his predatory behavior, suspension, contract, and implications on the National Football League (NFL), professional sports and society as a whole. Click here for more information and to register.
2022 One Book Author’s Visit and Book Signing
Wednesday, September 28, at 5:30pm in the Villanova Room, Connelly Center
Villanova’s One Book Committee is excited to announce that Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas has been selected as the campus book for the 2022-2023 academic year. Villanova University will welcome Jose Antonio Vargas to campus as a part of our annual One Book Villanova Lecture during the St. Thomas of Villanova Celebration. A book signing and light refreshments will follow the talk. For more information click here.
McCullen Center Lecture: The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840
Thursday, September 29, at 4pm in the Blank Rome LLP Classroom (Room 102)
The Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy welcomes Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, where he teaches constitutional law in both Yale College and Yale Law School.
Amar’s work has been cited by Supreme Court justices across the spectrum in over 45 cases. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has written widely for popular publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time and The Atlantic.
Amar is the author of more than a hundred law review articles and several books, most notably The Bill of Rights (1998), America’s Constitution: A Biography (2005), America’s Unwritten Constitution (2012), and The Constitution Today (2016). His latest book, The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840, was published in 2021. He has recently launched a weekly podcast, America’s Constitution. A wide assortment of his articles and op-eds and video links to many of his public lectures and free online courses may be found at akhilamar.com.
This lecture is approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 1 Substantive In-Person CLE credit. Please note that registration is required. Following the lecture, a reception will be held in the Arthur M. Goldberg ’66 Commons, which will include a book signing of Amar’s latest book.
Red Mass
Friday, September 30, 6pm in St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Join the Villanova Law community for the annual Red Mass with University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS as celebrant.
A Villanova tradition for over 60 years, Red Mass provides an opportunity for faculty, alumni, students, families, and guests to celebrate the beginning of the Law School’s academic year. The first Red Mass was offered in 1310 during the reign of King Edward I in Westminster Abbey to mark the opening of the judicial year. Since then, Red Mass has been celebrated to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit for all those who seek justice. The ceremony’s traditional name is derived from the color of vestments worn by the celebrant and concelebrants, the scarlet robes of judges in attendance, and the scarlet gowns of the members of the law faculty. Villanova has held Red Mass since 1957.
A complimentary reception at Scarpa Hall will be held immediately following Red Mass. No RSVP is necessary.
Heritage Series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
12:15pm in the Laurence E. Hirsch ’71 Classroom (Room 101)
Tuesday, October 4: Affinity Group Panel
Monday, November 7: Deciding and Applying to Diversity Pipeline Programs
Villanova Law students are invited to the inaugural sessions of the Heritage Series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The Heritage Series will introduce the standards and objectives of an environment dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These lunch sessions will contribute to an inclusive experience for the entire Law School population. Students who attend all sessions of the series will become more familiar with the unique aspects of DEI in law schools and the legal profession and receive a certificate of completion.
Registration for this event is required. To register, email kent.lollis@law.villanova.edu, Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The first 100 registrants will be entered to win prizes. You must be in attendance to win.
12th PBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit
Friday, October 7, 8:45am-3:45pm, virtual event
The Pennsylvania Bar Association Minority Bar Committee invites law students, lawyers, law firm staff, and bar leaders to attend this interactive day-long event focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Law students can attend at no cost. Click here for more information and to register.
Unexampled Courage: A Discussion with Judge Richard Gergel
Monday, October 24, 12:30-1:30pm in the Laurence E. Hirsch ’71 Classroom (Room 101)
Join United States District Judge Richard Gergel (D.S.C.) as he discusses this event and his book Unexampled Courage and the events behind it. Unexampled Courage explores the impact of the blinding of Sergeant Isaac Woodard, an African American veteran, and the subsequent racial awakening of President Harry and Judge J. Waties Waring. Gergel traces their influential roles in changing the course of America’s civil rights history, including both Briggs v. Elliott and Brown v. Board of Education.
Join a Discussion Group: Students, faculty, and staff are invited to read Unexampled Courage and join a faculty-led discussion group during the week of October 17. Complimentary copies of the book are available from Samantha Myers, Centers Program Manager, in room 360. Please sign up for a discussion session to receive your copy courtesy of the Girard-diCarlo Center. Refreshments will be served during the discussion groups.
This event is presented by the David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance. Additional funding provided by the Charles Koch Foundation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mask Reminder
Face masks covering your nose and mouth may be required by your professors in their classrooms and offices. Please make sure to carry a mask with you at all times.
Find Your Study Comfort Zone
The law school offers a variety of options when it comes to study locations. As a reminder, the law library is a quiet study space. Talking/noise is disruptive to other students. Please respect your classmates and take phone calls and other conversations outside the library. Headphones are available for check out at the Circulation Desk for listening to class or other recordings. If you wish to talk with others, please reserve a group study room in the library or the classroom wing or meet in the coffee bar, Student Lounge, or a vacant classroom. Your fellow students greatly appreciate it!
SMHS 1L Representative Applications Available NOW!
Deadline to apply is Friday, September 30 by 11:59pm
Do you want to help change the conversation surrounding mental health in law school? Are you a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing? Now is your chance to get involved with the Student Mental Health Society! We are looking for 1L Class Representatives to join our E-Board. The commitment is low, but it's a great opportunity to leave your mark on the school. If you're interested, apply here: https://forms.gle/DNEbi1miJRr3LAKfA
Caritas Clemency Clinic Now Accepting Applications
Applications are due by October 7, 2022
The Caritas Clemency Clinic is now accepting applications for the Spring of 2023. Below you will find a description of the course. Please contact Amanda Rogers at amanda.rogers@law.villanova.edu if you have any questions or would like to meet to learn more about the clinic.
The Caritas Clemency Clinic (CCC) is a one-semester clinic in the spring of 2023. The clinic will be a year-long clinic starting the fall of 2024. Students working with Professor Rogers will represent incarcerated individuals seeking release from prison to their families and communities pursuant to the First Step Act. Student-attorneys will engage in client-centered lawyering as they handle all aspects of the client’s case, including client interviews over the phone and at the Bureau of Prison (BOP) facility where the client is detained, client counseling, collection of documents such as medical records, working with experts, affidavit and motion writing, and representing the client at a hearing if the Court schedules one.
Each student will work with a team on your client’s case and have shared responsibility for all tasks for that client. Each week you will attend a 2-hour seminar along with an hour-long supervision meeting with Professor Rogers. The 2-hour seminar will be scheduled for a time and date to be determined that will work around the students’ schedules. The supervision meetings will also be scheduled around the student’s other classes. All students will attend a 1-day orientation prior to the start of the spring semester.
The clinic is a 3-credit course, with the expectation of approximately 8-10 hours a week of clinic fieldwork which does not include class or class preparation time. Clinic fieldwork may also include travel to a BOP facility in another state to interview your client. It is important that each student attorney understands that they are making a professional commitment to protect and pursue your client’s interests and thus fieldwork hours will vary week to week. CCC satisfies the practical writing requirement.
Bird Migration is Underway
Please close blinds and turn off office lights at the end of each day. Small efforts on our part make a big difference to traveling birds by helping them to avoid window collisions and reducing other hazards such as the disorientation caused by reflective light.
If you find an injured or dead bird, email birds@law.villanova.edu.
If you see a bird hit a window or door at the Law School during the weekend or after 5pm during the weekday, and it does not fly away within a few minutes, it may be dazed, injured, or deceased. If the bird is alive, it is important to protect it from predators. Place the bird in a ventilated box with a lid and place the box in a warm, quiet place away from humans or predatory animals. Boxes are available at the lobby desk. After 30 minutes, release the bird back into the wild, unless it still remains dazed or appears injured, then you may contact the Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center in Norristown at (267)-416-9453 or the Tri-State Bird Rescue at (302)737-9543. If you find a deceased bird, please email birds@law.villanova.edu so that the bird can be transferred to the biology department for documentation.
On behalf of the birds, thank you!
Let’s Vote Nova
The Pennsylvania deadline for registering to vote is October 24th for the November 8th election. The application deadline for mail-in or absentee ballots is November 1st. Please note that the application for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by the county election board by 5pm November 1st.
For the PA Voter Registration application, please visit the table outside Student Services, Suite 180, or visit vote.pa.gov. Additional information, including the location of the County Voter Registration Offices and the ability to confirm or update registration, is available at villanova.edu/letsvotenova. For students who wish to register in other states, and vote via absentee ballot, additional information on all states and territories can be found by visiting vote.gov.
Worship Opportunities on Campus
Mass is held at the Law School Chapel when classes are in session. This week Mass will be on Wednesday at 12:30pm. Beginning the first week of October, weekday Mass at the Law School Chapel will be on Thursdays at 12:30pm.
Other opportunities for Mass:
Weekday Masses (Monday to Friday) in Corr Chapel at 12:05pm and 5:30pm, except the following days:
- October 10 – October 14 (Semester Recess): No 5:30pm Mass
- November 1 (Solemnity of All Saints): 12:05, 5:30 and 7pm Masses in St. Thomas of Villanova Church
- Thursday, November 24–Friday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Recess): No weekday Mass
- December 8 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception): 12:05, 5:30 and 7pm Masses in St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Saturday Vigil Mass (in Spanish) in Corr Chapel at 5:30 pm
Sunday Masses in the Main Campus Church at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm, except on the following Sundays:
- October 9 (start of Semester Recess): 7 PM only
- October 16 (end of Semester Recess): 7 and 9 PM only
- November 27 (Thanksgiving Recess): 7 and 9 PM only
Further details and other opportunities for worship can be found on the Campus Ministry website. For other information, you may contact Fr. Aldo Potencio, OSA at aldo.potencio@villanova.edu.
Wellness Resources for Students
Villanova University School of Law faculty and staff care about you. We remind all law students to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental health. It is important to reach out if you are going through a challenge, feeling overwhelmed, need to talk or want to find ways to maintain balance in your life.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers: LCL is fully operational during this time of uncertainty. They have one staff rotating in the office each day to ensure every helpline call will be thoroughly handled. Their volunteer base of 295 law students, attorneys, and judges are ready, willing, and able to assist any student, staff or faculty member that may be struggling LCL’s 24/7 helpline is 888-999-1941 and their website is also a wealth of information www.lclpa.org
University Counseling Center: Please see the Counseling Center’s website regarding their message for continuity of care, scheduling an appointment, local referrals or prescription refill if you have been seeing the University psychiatrist. Law Students have full access to the University Counseling center M-F, 9-5 610 519- 4050.
Villanova’s Health and Well-Being website
Nancy Whalen, Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing can help you if you need to connect to resources, want a wellness check-in or need to discuss a specific concern. Email her at whalen@law.villanova.edu or schedule a time to meet with Nancy.
In an emergency, call Villanova Public Safety at 610-519-4444.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Writing Competition Guide
If you are interested in participating in one of the many annual law student writing competitions, check out the Library Writing Competitions Guide: http://libguides.law.villanova.edu/writingcompetitions. There is information in the Guide regarding the mechanics of writing for publication, as well as lists of open competitions.
Gazette Submissions
Please send items for next week’s Gavel Gazette to gavelgazette@law.villanova.edu by 3pm on Friday.
