Announcements
Week of 18 April 2022
Panel Discussion on Art Law and the Environment
Monday April 18, 12:30-1:30 in the Daniel P. Gibson Classroom (Room 306)
The panel will consist of practitioners in art/cultural heritage law and also connect to how the field is impacted by climate change. Lunch from El Limon will be provided. Come learn more about this career pathway! Sponsored by the Art Law Society and the Environmental and Energy Law Society.
Graduate & Law Students Small Group
Wednesdays 7-8pm
If you are a Law Student at Villanova craving wholesome faith discussions and fellowship centered around the Christian/Catholic experience, the Graduate & Law Students Small Group is for you! This is a judgement-free, sacred space, so all students are welcome to join! Meetings will occur each Wednesday from 7-8pm, starting on February 2nd. To receive the Zoom meeting link, please complete the one-time registration form here. If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate & Law Students Small Group Leader, Francesca Medora at fmedor01@villanova.edu.
Prepare to Practice Training Session
Monday, May 9 at 11:00am via Zoom
The Law Library will be hosting a training session focused on lesser-known research resources that you may utilize over the summer. The session will review topics including: finding jury instructions, verdicts, forms, dockets, public records, and other tools often used outside of the academic experience. This training session will be useful whether you are going out to your first summer position or starting your permanent job. The session will be held on Zoom so click here to join. A recording of the training will be available to view after the session.
Sports Law Negotiation Teams Succeed in National Competitions
This semester, members of the Sports Law Negotiation Team have been successful in various sports negotiation competitions across North America. Congratulations to the students and their coaches!
15th Annual Tulane International Baseball Arbitration Competition, January 19-21:
The team comprised of Matthew Dacey ’23, Stella Pratt ’23 and Christopher Roppolo ’23 advanced to the quarterfinal round. The other team comprised Danielle Bland ’22, Andrew Delzotto ’23 and David Brake ’24. This year's competition involved challenging mock arbitration cases, and both teams displayed strong work ethic and dedication in preparing for the competition. John Reid ’22 and Andy Jensen ’21 coached the teams.
8th Annual Tulane Professional Football Negotiation Competition, February 4-5
For the fourth time in the history of the competition Villanova Law students were victorious. Ryan Murphy ’22, Sarah Grossman ’24 and Brett Podell ’24, coached by Austin Meo ’22, beat out 42 teams from around the country to win the competition. Seasoned competitors, Murphy and Meo, took home their second championship in this competition after winning in 2020 and placing third in 2021. They are the first pair of students to win the TPFNC twice and the only team to advance to the playoff rounds three years in a row. Spencer de Urioste ’23, Joseph Frio ’22 and Emily Rollo ’23 also competed.
5th Annual Tulane Pro Basketball Negotiation Competition, March 3-4
Villanova Law sent two teams to this year's competition in New Orleans: Ian Daniels ’22, Alex Fernandez ’22 and Dante Camilli ’23; and Ross Sutton ’23, James McCauley ’24 and Hunter Parsons ’24.
Tulane International Fútbol Negotiation Competition, March 25-26
The Villanova Law team of Luke Pacifici ’23, Ricardo Peña ’24 and Kyle Winquist ’24 won this inaugural event. It was the first negotiation competition experience for all three team members, and they put on an impressive performance.
University of Toronto Annual Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada, March 18-20
Andrew Beck ’22 and Andrew Lee ’22 finished as quarterfinalists, going undefeated in the preliminary rounds. The team comprised of Samantha Pulley ’22 and Jacqueline Borrelli ’23 won two of their three preliminary round negotiations.
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 SBA Representatives!
President: Kevin Sheppard II
Vice President: Catie Barry
Secretary: Jackie Scoboria
Treasurer: James Austin
Intramurals Chair: Jill Spirk
University Senator: Hailey Valerio
Events Chair: Ryan Newell
Wellness Coordinator: Hailey Norwillo
Bar Representative: Amit Mysore
Alumni Relations Chair: Anna D'Eramo
Diversity and Inclusion Chair: Favour U. Okechukwu
2L Representatives: Danielle DiGrazia, Gregory M. Hill, Michaela Kelly
3L Representatives: Margot Weitz, Evan Baker, Maggie MacDonald
SBA Student Group Leader Transitions/Elections – New E-Board Info Needed
Many student organizations have elections coming up or they already commenced. To help document who the new e-boards are for the Law School’s summer planning and communications, all SBA groups (not journals or co-curricular organizations) must compete the new form using this link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/fcba9566f617431a9c50efacd278da0e. Please complete this form by May 1, 2022. Any questions, contact Nancy Whalen, Director of Student Affairs whalen@law.villanova.edu or SBA.
Wellness Spotlight: Gratefulness
Emotions like gratitude and humor can help you cope with anxiety and uncertainty by focusing your mind on the things in life that you value, as well as what is in your control, and what you can give back to others. Cultivating an attitude of gratefulness can also help you develop resilience and cope with your current issues or problems and provides a way for you to move forward despite the challenges you face. As the semester and academic year come to an end, we encourage everyone to take a few moments to be grateful for new friends made through the year, positive experiences in and out of the classroom, supportive staff and faculty who gave you guidance and for being a part of a community that inspires you to use your talents to serve others.
Resources for Health and Wellbeing to help you through exams.
Commencement Information for 3Ls
The Law School’s Commencement for the Class of 2022 will take place on May 14, 2022. We encourage all graduating students to review the Commencement website and emails you receive from Marching Orders so you are informed about commencement related events and information. Reminder: Cap and Gown order deadline is end of day April 18th. If you have specific questions, please email the Villanova Law Commencement Team.
Smoking Policy Reminder
Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, including the Law School. Smoking is also prohibited within 75 feet of all buildings, which includes…
- the front of the law school,
- the walkway from the parking garage,
- the outdoor dining area,
- all entrances.
This policy covers all tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco and dip). Thank you for your cooperation.
Clean Out Your Locker by May 16th
Lockers will be cleaned over the summer. Please remove all items from your locker by the end of the semester and leave the lock open on the locker. Any items remaining in lockers after Monday, May 16th, will be discarded.
1Ls and 2Ls: If you want a different locker next year, contact Cheryl Baro at baro@law.villanova.edu.
3Ls: If you want to use your locker while you study for the Bar exam, contact Cheryl Baro at baro@law.villanova.edu.
Aspen Learning Library, Practice Questions, Old Exams and More!
Our Aspen Learning Library offers many different study aids including Casenote Legal Briefs, Emanuel CrunchTime and Law Outlines, Examples & Explanations, Glannon Guides, the Inside Series and many more. Also check out our Study Aids research guide for other study guides, links to the old exam database and other materials to get you ready for finals (and finish up those seminar papers)! We also have a Bar Prep guide too.
Refresh Your Skills This Summer!
Take advantage of a lighter schedule and dive into more Procertas technology training modules or get a jump on next year’s classes by viewing CALI lessons on those topics. You also have access through May 31st to Hotshot tutorials to get you up to speed on transactional and litigation skills from venture financing and securities to preparing for and taking depositions. Westlaw’s partnership with Write.law can help you polish your professional skills or pick up a certification in office or law practice technologies. Or get certified in Lexis or Westlaw and learn all the ins and outs of these legal research platforms!
Summer and Post-Graduation Access to Bloomberg Law, Lexis+, and Westlaw
Graduating 3Ls:
NOTE: Some employer policies require the use of firm accounts.
- Bloomberg: Access for 6 months after graduation; use Bloomberg for research related to bar preparation, interview preparation, private study or employment. Do not need to register for extended access.
- Lexis+: Unlimited, unrestricted (for work, fun, or school) access to Lexis+ through December 31, 2022. Your ID will be converted from a student ID to a Graduate ID on July 10, 2022 and you will be given a graduation gift and access to a graduate home page at that time.
- Westlaw: Access to Westlaw and Practical Law, for six months after graduation by Grad Elite Access. “Grad Elite” access gives you 60-hours of usage on these products per month. Cannot be used in situations where you are billing a client but can be used to build knowledge of the law and prepare for the bar exam.
NOTE: You may continue to use your law school email address as your login ID since your law school email address will remain active for two years after graduation.
Current 1Ls & 2Ls--Summer Access
NOTE: Some employer policies require the use of firm accounts.
- Bloomberg: Automatic, unlimited access for schoolwork, private study or employment during the summer
- Lexis+: Unlimited, unrestricted (for work, fun, or school) access to Lexis+ all summer on your current Lexis ID
- Westlaw: Westlaw and Practical Law may be used for non-commercial research but can’t be used in situations where you are billing a client. Examples of permissible uses for your academic password include the following: Summer coursework, Research assistant assignments, Law Review or Journal research, Moot Court research, Non-Profit work, Clinical work, unpaid Externship for course credit.
It’s Ramadan!
Ramadan is a month-long religious observation for Muslims that includes fasting (including no water) from dawn until dusk. This year, Ramadan will begin on April 2 (+/- one day) and lasts 29 to 30 days, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. It is a time for prayer, reflection, and community. Please know that any Muslim student, staff, or faculty member observing Ramadan might struggle a bit more during the daytime due to the daily fast and disrupted sleep along with the additional religious obligations.
Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Charles Widger School of Law is committed to advancing the mental health and wellbeing of our students. We acknowledge that a variety of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, financial issues, family concerns, substance abuse impact students’ experience. Law students are encouraged to reach out and know that we care:
· Nancy Whalen, Director of Student Affairs whalen@law.villanova.edu if you are in need of support or resources.
· The University Counseling Center offers free, confidential personal/psychological counseling and groups. Make an appointment by calling 610-519-4050 or visit: Counseling Center.
· PA Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers offer a broad range of support services for lawyers and law students, a 24/7 Confidential Helpline: 1-888-999-1941 and an extensive COVID resource guide, https://www.lclpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/December-2020-COVID-Resources-by-LCLPA.pdf
Gazette Submissions
This is the final Gavel Gazette for this semester. Please send items for the first issue of the Fall semester to gavelgazette@law.villanova.edu by 3pm on Friday, August 19.
