Villanova Law Launches Stand Together Initiative

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law recently launched the Stand Together Initiative in partnership with Barnes & Thornburg, the Stand Together Foundation and the Koch Pro Bono Initiative. This new initiative is a part of the Law School’s Lawyering Together Program. Originally created in 1997, the Lawyering Together Program was relaunched in 2023 by Janine Dunlap Kiah ’07, director for public service and pro bono initiatives, and partners students with attorneys to provide pro bono legal services. Through the Stand Together Initiative, 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.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Stand Together Initiative,” said Dunlap Kiah. “This program will provide our students with expanded pro bono opportunities—an important component of our rigorous legal education. We look forward to seeing all they will accomplish through this exciting partnership.”

Representatives from the partner organizations were in attendance for the October 7 launch event at Villanova Law, including Wes Edwards, general counsel at the Stand Together Foundation; Matt Ellis, chief counsel, commercial and pro bono at Koch Capabilities, LLC; Molly Flynn, partner at Barnes & Thornburg, LLP; and Cathryn Ryan ’19, associate at Barnes & Thornburg, LLP. Also in attendance was Charles Widger ’73, whose gifts to Villanova Law have supported professional development and leadership programming.

More information about this partnership can be found in the press release from Barnes & Thornburg, LLP. For more information about the Lawyering Together Program, contact Janine Dunlap Kiah.