Villanova Law Professor Returns to her Alma Mater
Villanova Law Professor Jane (Ward) Voegele ’90 CLAS, VSB, ’96 CWSL, always envisioned teaching at her alma mater.
“All the adjunct teaching and positions I previously held at various universities were really my stepping stones to get here today,” Voegele explains. “It would be an understatement to say that Villanova has been a huge part of both my life and my family’s lives.”
“I am just so fortunate to be here,” she adds.
Voegele graduated with her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Villanova in 1990, magna cum laude. After working as an auditor for Arthur Andersen, LLP, she returned to Villanova Law to attend law school, graduating summa cum laude. She worked as a federal law clerk and practiced labor and employment law at Dechert for several years before guest lecturing at Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) and subsequently becoming an adjunct professor at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Widener University Delaware Law School.
She returned to Villanova Law in the summer of 2019 as a visiting assistant professor. This fall, Voegele begins her role as associate professor of law. She specializes in legal analysis and writing courses and oversees the annual Joseph Del Raso Business and Financial Literacy Module, a required week-long course students take just before the spring semester of their 2L year.
“As a teacher of legal analysis and writing, I try to offer my students tools to analyze a legal issue effectively and then concisely communicate an answer in written or oral form. I bring my own passion for communicating effectively into the classroom because I believe that skill is applicable no matter what profession my students ultimately pursue.”
In addition to her courses, Voegele also believes in the importance of the Business and Financial Literacy Module.
“We prioritize helping our students become as ‘practice ready’ as possible at Villanova Law,” she explains. “The module is a valuable, practical lesson that shows the critical importance of financial literacy for lawyers. To me, it is just another way Villanova Law students stand out.”
Voegele is grateful for the opportunity to return to the Villanova community.
“We emphasize the Augustinian values as a university, and you see that emphasis especially at play in the law school,” Voegele says. “The students here are amazing – they are eager, they want to succeed and they really care about the work they are doing. There’s definitely an energy here in the law school – and it makes me look forward to coming to work every day.”