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
NEWS & EVENTS
The Rule of Law in America: A Conversation with Judge J. Michael Luttig, 10/15
The Girard-diCarlo Center welcomes the Honorable J. Michael Luttig, retired Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, for a conversation with Mark C. Alexander, the Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law. In a discussion about the rule of law in America today, they will explore recent developments and implications for the future of our nation.
New Faculty Chair Appointments Beginning Fall 2025
Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, recently announced two new faculty chair appointments beginning in fall 2025. Professor Todd Aagaard is the Heller McGuinness Leadership Chair and Professor Jennifer O’Hare is the Martin G. McGuinn Chair in Business Law. The inaugural chairholders for these positions were Professor Doris DelTosto Brogan and Professor Richard Booth, respectively.
Scarpa Center Celebrates 10 Years of Fostering Innovative Law Practice & Business Strategy
This year, the John F. Scarpa Center for Entrepreneurship and Law at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law celebrates its 10th anniversary. Serving as a hub for innovative law and business strategy, the Center engages students in the practical application of their law studies and better prepares them for today’s business-centric legal practice.
Welcome, Class of 2028
The class of 2028, hailing from 20 states, the District of Columbia and six countries outside the US, has recently begun their law school journey. With impressive academic credentials and diverse backgrounds, this year’s entering class prepares to become principled leaders in the law profession.
AT A GLANCE
12
MILES OUTSIDE
PHILADELPHIA
290+
EXTERNSHIPS IN NONPROFIT,
CORPORATE & GOVERNMENT
8
in-house
legal clinics
5
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
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