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
2025 Matthew J. Ryan Law and Public Policy Forum, 04/25
This colloquium will examine crucial developments in sentencing law across two distinct domains: federal civilian sentencing jurisprudence and military justice reform. Panels will feature leading scholars and practitioners exploring these parallel yet distinct evolutionary paths in American sentencing law. We are also honored to welcome Judge Stephanos Bibas of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Law School Dean, Former US Navy Admiral Discuss the Importance of Strong Leadership
The Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law recently welcomed (Ret.) Admiral Jonathan Greenert, former chief of naval operations, the highest-ranking position in the United States Navy, for a conversation on leadership. The event was held in conjunction with the University’s NIL collective, Friends of Nova.
Law School’s International Entrepreneurship Program Spotlighted in Villanova Magazine
Villanova Law’s International Entrepreneurship Program, which launched last year, combines legal studies with an immersive semester abroad and externship experience in Cape Town, South Africa—one of the fastest-growing centers of international business and commerce.
Villanova Law Launches New LLM for Foreign-Trained Lawyers
Beginning in fall 2025, the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law will offer a new LLM in US Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers, expanding the law school’s professional offerings. This one-year, in-person program is designed for individuals who have obtained a primary law degree (such as an LLB) outside the United States and will allow them to gain proficiency in the law, the legal system and its practices in the US.
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