Ask the Grad: Class of 2022
The Villanova University Charles Widger School is pleased to celebrate the graduates of the Class of 2022. This impressive group of students joins a tight-knit community of more than 12,000 Villanova Law alumni.
Before they leave us, we asked members of the Class of 2022 to share more about their Villanova Law experience.
Madeline Holler ’22
Managing Editor of Symposium, Villanova Law Review
Treasurer, Women's Law Caucus
Ambassador, The McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
There are so many things I'll miss about my time at Villanova Law, but I think I'll miss taking interesting and fun classes with my favorite professors the most (some of my favorites: American Legal History, Employment Discrimination, Federal Courts, Native American Law Seminar). Make sure to find time in your schedule for classes that seem out of your comfort zone!
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experiences have been whole-class gatherings during my 1L year. Villanova's Student Bar Association is full of talented event planners who can find any excuse to gather, from celebrating the start of the year at Red Mass to trying to forget the 1L midterm and wearing ugly holiday sweaters.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I'm looking forward to gaining a little professional autonomy while continuing to learn as a judicial law clerk. And I can't wait to keep up with my Villanova law classmates to hear about their experiences.
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
As hard as it is, try to be confident in you and what works for you—whether that's your note-taking style, where you like to study, how you best learn new concepts, etc. 1L year inherently brings on comparing yourself to your classmates, but they aren't you and only you know what's worked best for you in the past. Be confident in that and drown out any extra noise!
Also, take a deep breath. Nothing is as serious as you think it is. Learn to find the humor in things like flopped cold calls, reading the wrong pages of the textbook, awkward interviews—it will all be okay and it's more fun to laugh along the way.
Austin Meo ’22
President, Sports Law Society
Vice President, Student Bar Association
Dean's & Admissions Ambassador
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
The community. Not just the students and faculty, but everyone else who enters the building each and every day. I always love talking to the custodians and support staff and the different people in the dining hall. Everyone is simply a joy to be around–you do feel like you're a part of a giant family.
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
So many to pick from! All the events throughout the years–Red Mass, the PIFP Auction and the many happy hours at Kelly's. On a personal note, winning a national negotiation championship in New Orleans for the Sports Law Negotiation Team was an absolute thrill.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
Continuing to help people. So many students here at Villanova genuinely care about making a difference in the community and I hope my talents, wherever I might end up, will do just that.
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
Get involved! The biggest mistake you can make is studying 24/7 and not getting involved in everything that Villanova Law has to offer. Join different student organizations, go to happy hours and network as much as possible! Those are the ways you'll make lifelong friends and set yourself up to be a successful lawyer down the line.
Emily O'Leary ’22
President, Student Bar Association
Reimel Administrator, Moot Court Board
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am going to miss being able to sit in the Commons and see the friendly faces passing by. Villanova Law's atmosphere is so welcoming and is something I will miss. Whether it is seeing Dean Saleh walk through the space or catching up with friends in the Commons between classes, it's a nice place to reset and bask in the special community Villanova Law has created. Plus, all the free food buffets and midnight breakfasts are served there too.
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience is the time I served as President of SBA. While there was a lot of work that went into that role, the people I got to work with that make this school great made it worth it. Brainstorming events to put on for the students with Nancy Whalen and Nicole Garafano, and meeting with the Deans’ Cabinet every month made me appreciate all the hard work these people put into creating a fabulous learning environment. I also found out that the Deans Cabinet members are great to share a laugh with when planning high-stakes events like our Barrister's Ball. Serving as SBA President has made me a better leader and allowed me to be an advocate for my peers, something I wish to continue throughout my legal career.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to getting to use the skills and tools Villanova Law has provided me. The foundation this school has given me is something I am grateful for. I cannot wait to use the skills I have developed from my practical skills courses and trial advocacy classes and eventually get into the courtroom!
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
Try anything! Whether it is an area of law you are unfamiliar with or want to join a student group you don't know much about, just try it. You never know what type of law you may want to practice in the future and getting a feel for multiple areas might help you figure it out! Also, don't feel like you have to know what type of law you want to practice when starting law school. Your interests may change, and it can surprise you.
Stephanie J. Oppenheim ’22
Health Law Concentration
Dean's Ambassador
Online Managing Editor, Villanova Environmental Law Journal
Vice President, Women's Law Caucus
Membership Chair, Health Law Society
Secretary, Middle Eastern Law Students Association
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am going to miss being part of student organizations the most. It was a running joke that I was on the executive board of every student organization we had. I attribute some of my best memories and friendships to the student organizations, and that is where I truly felt the supportive nature of the Villanova Law community. Whether it was a shared interest in an area of law, ideological compatibility or common identity, there was always a connection to be made.
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
One of my most memorable experiences was the 1L Sauce-Off at Prof. Juliano's house. I was so shocked that a professor would be willing to open their home to 60+ civil procedure students. It was a wonderful night where our whole section was able to be together (pre-pandemic) and celebrate over food and wine. The whole experience coupled with Prof. Juliano's generosity is a memory I will never forget.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to practicing in Philadelphia after I (hopefully) pass the PA Bar. As a born and raised New Yorker, everyone assumes I want to go back to practice there, but I love being a part of the Philly legal community and Philly has so much to offer its residents.
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
Don't let law school consume your entire life. Carve out specific times in your schedule where you can do activities that make you happy and try to stick with it no matter how busy you may get. It is important to make your well-being and happiness a priority.
Tasha Stoltzfus Nankerville ’22
JD/MPA Candidate
Reimel Coordinator, Moot Court Board
Auction Coordinator, Public Interest Fellowship Program
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
The community. I felt so much support, encouragement, and care from both staff and faculty during my time at Villanova Law. I saw Unitas, Caritas and Veritas exhibited by staff and faculty on a daily basis. I was not expecting that kind of community to so permeate my law school experience, so it has been one of the most pleasant surprises of my law school journey.
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
The Reimel competition! Each year for the past 62 years, Villanova Law has hosted an intra-school Moot Court Competition. In 2020, I had the pleasure of competing in it with my partner, Annalise Hodges. Before the competition, Annalise and I knew each other by name only. However, throughout the rigorous competition, we formed a fast friendship, and she became a pillar and positive presence throughout my law school journey. I can also point to that competition as a pivotal moment in developing my legal skills, both oral and written. It was the first time that I put what I learned in law school into practice, and it was the first time I felt as though I was engaging in a craft.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
Using my legal skills for good. The past three years have been amazing. I've had the privilege of learning from extraordinary educators. In some ways law school felt like a game of Mario Cart, a sprint at times where each class was me getting star power, continually building up my knowledge. I am so excited to now unleash that knowledge and practically create an impact where I can.
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
Don't make law school your purpose, make it your pursuit. Making it your purpose can be all-consuming. Family, relationships, and being kind, caring, and loving, are far worthier purposes. If you keep those purposes at the forefront, law school as a pursuit will be incredibly rewarding and soul-satisfying.
Alexandra Santulli ’22
Staff Writer, Villanova Law Review
President, Corporate Law Society
Fellow, John F. Scarpa Center for Law & Entrepreneurship
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am going to miss the Villanova Law School classroom environment the most. I can honestly say that all of my classes (even the ones I didn’t think I would enjoy) were filled with lively, interesting lectures, discussions, and debates on current legal topics and issues that made being a Villanova Law student so exciting and fun.
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience at the law school has been serving as a student attorney for the Clinic for Law and Entrepreneurship. This was the first time I was able to envision myself as a legal professional and use my skills to help underserved communities that truly needed and appreciated our assistance.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am most looking forward to applying all of my classroom knowledge to address real world problems and help clients with their legal needs. Becoming a lawyer has been a goal of mine for many years and I am excited to watch this dream come to fruition after lots of hard work, determination, and sacrifice.
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
Get involved in the Villanova Law community! The Law School offers many clubs, organizations, clinics, and research opportunities that allow students to get a better sense of their career goals and scholarship interests, and gives students increased access to classmates, professors, and resources available. Villanova Law is a wonderful community that all students in the class of 2025 should get involved in and get to know early.
Jacqualyn Gillen ’22
Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal
President of First Generation Lawyers
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am really going to miss the people and the community that exists at Villanova Law. In three years, I have made some long-lasting friendships among my peers, fostered amazing relationships with our faculty, and networked with exceptional alumni of our school. I look forward to staying in contact and giving back to this community after graduation that has given me so much.
What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience at Villanova Law has been serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal. Through this role, I have made amazing relationships with some members of my class in a way I would not have otherwise, and met some distinguished people in the sports industry hosting the Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Symposium this April.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am really looking forward to taking all the tools that I have been provided with my legal education at Villanova and apply them to my new career. I am also excited to join our alumni group and keep networking with lawyers in our community.
What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2025?
My biggest piece of advice is to network and to not be afraid to talk about what your interests are in law. You will never know what connections someone has, and if you talk openly about what you are passionate about, you never know the people you may connect with and what doors that will open for your future.