CHARLES WIDGER

SCHOOL OF LAW

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.

Villanova Law recently launched the Stand Together Initiative in partnership with Barnes & Thornburg, the Stand Together Foundation and the Koch Pro Bono Initiative. Through this program, students will work with attorneys from Barnes & Thornburg to provide pro bono legal services in various practice areas, including labor and employment, intellectual property, data privacy, corporate law, real estate and tax.

Carlos Juarez ’25 came to Villanova Law after an eight-year career working in business development and practice strategy for two AmLaw100 law firms in New York City and earning an MBA. The California native chose Villanova Law for its emphasis on business law, experiential learning and the opportunities available through the John F. Scarpa Center for Entrepreneurship and Law. But In December of his 1L year, an unexpected opportunity arose.to provide pro bono legal aid to in Mexico.

Villanova Law recently announced the John H. Buhsmer Esq. '84 Endowed Professor of Law. The new position is made possible by a $1.5 million gift from John (Jack) Buhsmer ’84 JD, ’89 LLM. Professor Leslie Book, a national authority on tax procedure and tax administration, is the inaugural professorship holder.