The Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and Seattle University School of Law will offer the Eighth Annual Promoting Diversity in Law School Leadership, a workshop to encourage and assist members of underrepresented groups to pursue deanships and other university and law school leadership positions.
Lisa Riley ’20 has been named a recipient of the 2019 Judge William M. Marutani Fellowship, which is awarded to students who show a commitment to public service. The Fellowship provides a stipend for a summer internship with a nonprofit public interest organization or with a federal, state or municipal government in Pennsylvania.
Sarah Baranik de Alarcón ’19 was recently selected by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award. Beginning in February 2020, Baranik will use her Fulbright to research Brazil’s Migration Law.
In addition to acquiring the knowledge necessary to become successful attorneys, students at Villanova Law also receive the critical business skills that are necessary to thrive in today’s intense and dynamic climate. The John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship has developed two unique and innovative Business Modules, week-long one-credit courses required for all first and second-year students.
The John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship will host the “Future Business Law Professors Conference” on Friday, September 6. All those who are considering entering the higher education academic teaching market in business law are invited attend to learn more about the business law teaching market, receive advice on how to be a successful candidate and meet future colleagues
For the seventh consecutive year, a Villanova Law student has placed in the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Annual Writing Competition. Joshua Schmid ’19, earned first place in this year’s competition with his article, “One Final Word in Favor of Broadest Reasonable Interpretation Standard for Claim Construction in AIA Proceedings.”
Continuing Villanova Law’s commitment to bringing renowned leaders in the legal profession to campus, The Honorable Joel Slomsky, Senior United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, joins the Law School’s Dean’s Distinguished Fellows program.
Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, announced that Judge Cheryl Ann Krause of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit will address the Class of 2019 as the School’s commencement speaker and will also receive the Villanova Law Medallion Award in recognition of her achievements. Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, in the Finneran Pavilion on the campus of Villanova University.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law will host the Second Annual ComplianceNet Conference on June 3-4, 2019 . With a theme of “Business Ethics,” this year’s Conference seeks to engage participants on how to run ethical companies and how to encourage ethical behavior within organizations.
When social justice-minded students wanted to explore how laws impact marginalized groups when it comes to things like access to health care and voting, buying or renting a house, employment discrimination and many other societal issues, Villanova Law created a course to do just that.
Some Villanova Law students arrive at law school with real-world experiences that make the business-focused legal education an immediate and applicable benefit. Joseph Diorio ’20 is one such student. Diorio works for his family-run start-up, KoffieStaw, in addition to balancing the work of a full-time student in Villanova Law’s Intellectual Property (IP) concentration.
Hands-on experience is vital preparation for practice. While a student at Villanova Law, Jesse Imbriano ’12, had early field experience in an in-house clinic that proved key in helping him find his passion and jumpstart his career in immigration law.
Author of a recent essay in Commonweal, "The PA Grand-Jury Report: Not What It Seems" Peter Steinfels is University Professor Emeritus at Fordham University and was previously co-director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture. The event takes place on Thursday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m. in the Laurence E. Hirsch '71 Classroom (Room 101).
Members of Villanova Law's National Trial Team—Brittany Frederick ’20 and Jerry Rassias ‘19—recently finished as quarterfinalists in the National Trial Team Competition Championship in San Antonio, Texas, ranking the team among the top eight out of more than 250 law school trial teams in the nation.
The Honorable Ernest F. Hart ’83 Named NYPD’s Chief Legal Officer
The Honorable Ernest Hart ’83, a New York State Supreme Court judge, has been named the new Chief Legal Officer of the New York City Police Department.
How could the Holocaust happen? Were there no laws to prevent it? This program will examine the history and ethics of the legal profession in Germany both prior to the ascension of the Nazi Party in 1933 and during the Nazi period. This program will be held on Monday, April 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Cozen O'Connor's Philadelphia office (One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 2800, Philadelphia, PA).
Leslie Book, Professor of Law at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, is serving as the Professor-in-Residence at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). As Professor-in-Residence, Book will provide advice, guidance and analysis on various tax administration issues, and lead a team that will draft a report to Congress that will focus on improving administration of refundable credits.
Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law, recently announced the appointment of Matthew Carluzzo to the newly established position of Assistant Dean of Students and Academic Success for the Charles Widger School of Law.
The Peggy Browning Fund has awarded a 10-week summer fellowship to Madison Slupe ’21, which she will spend working at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 19 in Philadelphia, PA.
While some students may take a sunny vacation to Mexico during the winter months to relax and rejuvenate, Villanova Law student Sarah Baranik de Alarcón ’19 traveled to the southern border to gain hands-on legal experience.
The Sixth Annual Game Day Case Competition, hosted by Villanova Law and UCLA Anderson School of Management, is the only sports case competition of its kind. JD and MBA students from around the country come together to compete, taking a multidisciplinary approach to analyzing, presenting and negotiating solutions to real-world legal and business problems.
As society changes, so do our pastimes. This year's Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Symposium will examine The Future of Sports and how the industry is evolving to respond to societal and fan demands with insights from athletes, industry experts and attorneys. This symposium takes place on Friday, April 12, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the Arthur M. Goldberg ’66 Commons.
The CSE Institute presents its 3rd annual survivor-led symposium, featuring cross-disciplinary workshops and discussions led by survivors on a variety of relevant topics and current issues in legislation, law enforcement, and education. This symposium takes place Thursday, April 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. & Friday, April 12, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Inn at Villanova.
Professor Mary Hirschfeld’s work focuses on the boundary between economics and theology, specifically through an economic approach based on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. This method can be applied to various topics, such as consumption economics, economic justice, the common good, the nature of practical reason and economic methodology. This event will take place Tuesday, April 2 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Martin G. McGuinn Ceremonial Courtroom (Room 201).
Understanding the Rules of Professional Conduct is a necessary but not sufficient condition to being a successful and ethical lawyer. University of Virginia Professor Mary C. Gentile has developed the “Giving Voice to Values” (GVV) approach, which can help lawyers act effectively and with professionalism. This symposium takes place Friday, March 29 from 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Every year, third-year law students are encouraged to make a donation to Villanova Law before they graduate. This year, the Class of 2019 has the opportunity to make an even greater impact through the 3L Legacy Gift thanks to the generosity of the Del Raso Family.
Duquesne University has named April Barton ’96 CWSL, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, as Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law following a national search.
A team of students from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law recently competed in and won the Fifth Annual Tulane Professional Football Negotiation Competition, sponsored by the Tulane Sports Law Society.
Villanova University announced the appointment of Joy Mullane, Professor of Law, as Faculty Director of its Graduate Tax Program. Mullane has been a member of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law faculty since 2006.
An attorney’s work for their clients often goes beyond the courtroom, as David Secor ’19 learned during his time with Villanova Law’s Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic (FLAC). Through his work with FLAC, Secor gained hands-on legal training while representing real clients on critical legal issues.
The Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy hosts the Honorable Amy Coney Barrett for a lecture on “Constitutional Originalism and Continuity.” Judge Barrett is a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The lecture takes place on Monday, Feb. 25 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commons.
The Walter Lucas Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP) of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law will host its 2019 PIFP Auction on Saturday, February 23 at 6 p.m. Comprised of both silent and live auctions, the event features items donated by individuals and businesses throughout Greater Philadelphia and across the country. All proceeds from the event go toward providing $4,500 fellowships to current students who commit their summers to performing public service legal work.
The Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law co-sponsored a gathering of international jurists and scholars at the Rome campus of Università LUMSA in December 2018 for “The Value of Tradition in the Global Context.” The event featured a keynote address by U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr.
In its annual Norman J. Shachoy Symposium, the Villanova Law Review examines the implications of Villanova Law Professor Chaim Saiman’s book, Halakhah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law, on law and legal theory. The symposium will bring together distinguished scholars of legal theory, law and literature, religious law and theology and religious studies.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law will mark its annual commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with a keynote lecture in January 2019 as part of a University-wide celebration. Brenda Wright, Senior Advisor at Demos, will present the lecture.
The Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA) recently honored three Villanova Law alumni with awards for judicial service, dedication toward serving the public interest and legal writing.
At the 2019 Villanova Environmental Law Journal Blank Rome LLP Symposium, representatives from private practice, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations will discuss strategies they use to manage regulatory uncertainty and transition for their clients.
At Villanova Law, students are taking the initiative and working collaboratively with faculty to create new opportunities to serve the community. A good example is Anna Boyd ’19, who has created a program for law students to work with prison inmates.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law hosts the Fifth Annual Fashion Law Symposium, which will bring together lawyers and non-lawyers, focusing on the key players in the fashion industry. This year’s event will include discussions on how founders and leaders of fashion companies interact with both inside and outside counsel to run some of the most successful businesses in the world.
The Saint Thomas More Society of Philadelphia has presented their annual Saint Thomas More Award to the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Clinical Program. The Award is presented by the Society annually to a member of the legal profession whose accomplishments represent the principles and ideals of Saint Thomas More.
As an unexpected pre-winter snowstorm blew in on November 15, Villanova Law students on the Moot Court Board were faced with a decision—whether to go ahead with the Finals of the 59th Annual Theodore L. Reimel ’24 CLAS Moot Court Competition or attempt to reschedule for a later date. Named in honor of the late Theodore L. Reimel, Judge for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas from 1953 to 1973, the competition is designed to foster student development in written and oral advocacy through simulated appellate argument.
At Villanova Law, students find creative ways to combine their passions with their legal education. Meaghan Lane ’18 coupled her interest in sports management with a spring 2018 externship to propel her into the world of athletics and sports compliance.
In October, CSE Institute Director Shea Rhodes ’97 travelled to Ghana to participate in the Global Women’s Business Exchange Conference. Organized by the U.S.-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Rhodes joined business and professional women from all over the world to exchange and leverage their experiences in the fields of healthcare, finance, law, business and education.
Villanova Law Professor Ellen Wertheimer, an expert on products liability and tort law, has been nominated and elected as a new member of the American Law Institute (ALI), the leading independent organization in the United States that produces scholarly work to clarify, modernize and improve the law.
Our faculty pursue interdisciplinary academic projects that integrate law with other fields, like Brett Frischmann, The Charles Widger Endowed University Professor in Law, Business and Economics, who is co-authoring a series of books on knowledge commons and recently published, Governing Medical Knowledge Commons.
The Theodore L. Reimel Moot Court Competition is an annual intra-school tournament and a hallowed tradition at Villanova Law. Named in honor of the late Theodore L. Reimel, Judge for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas from 1953 to 1973, the competition is designed to foster student development in written and oral advocacy through simulated appellate argument.
There’s a saying that practice makes perfect. At Villanova Law, students have the opportunity to perfect their legal skills through innovative coursework and hands-on experience. Now, a new insurance law course, Advanced Insurance Law: Coverage Disputes, provides students with a simulation experience that closely mirrors the work they will encounter as associate attorneys at law firms.
At Villanova Law, we believe that academics and professional development are intertwined and equally essential to the long-term success of our students. Today our curriculum infuses professional skills along with vital business principles and practical experience into each student’s rigorous legal training.
The Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation and The David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance will host a screening and panel of the film "The Trap" on Tuesday, November 27 from 5:30-8:30 pm in the Laurence E. Hirsch ‘71 Classroom (Room 101) at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. This event is approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 1 substantive CLE Credits.
The John F. Scarpa Center for Law & Entrepreneurship, in conjunction with Villanova’s Department of Public Administration, brings together a collection of leaders in the field of law and entrepreneurship. The event will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25 at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in the Laurence E. Hirsch ’71 Classroom (Room 101).
The David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance brings together three experienced executives and lawyers to examine the current legal and ethical landscape and explore productive ways to move forward within the corporate world. The event, “Corporate Compliance & Ethics: Wells Fargo and Beyond,” will be held at noon on Wednesday, October 17 at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Room 101.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law will hold its annual Donald A. Giannella Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, October 30 at 3 p.m. in the Martin G. McGuinn '67 Ceremonial Courtroom (Room 201) at the Law School. Nicole Stelle Garnett, John P. Murphy Foundation Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame Law School, will present “The Case for Educational Pluralism.”
When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in August 2017, many residents of the Lone Star State found themselves facing devastating losses and in need of legal support. Carla Krystyniak ’15, a recent Texas transplant, found herself in the heart of the disaster. Driven by a desire to help, Krystyniak put her legal training to use and applied for and became a Disaster Recovery Legal Corps Fellow with Equal Justice Works.
On October 12-13, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law will bring together leading interdisciplinary scholars to present and discuss “Governing Privacy in Knowledge Commons.” Attendees will consider and evaluate applications of the framework to issues of privacy within various information, knowledge and cultural contexts.
The Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law continues its annual speaker series with four events in fall 2018. The series is free and open to the Villanova community and the public. No registration required. The events will occur on September 27, October 3, October 17 and November 7.
Villanova Law students Marissa Booth ’19 and Samuel Cooper ’19 took second place in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office 18th Annual Summer Intern Mock Trial Competition. The Competition served as the finale to the students’ summer externship with the District Attorney’s Office.
The panel, hosted by The Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy, will explore the death penalty today and in light of Pope Francis’ change to the Catechism from the perspectives of law, theology and criminology.The panel is approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 1.5 credits and will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. in Blank Rome LLP Classroom (Room 102).
A Villanova tradition over the last 60 years, Red Mass provides an opportunity for faculty, alumni, students, families and guests to gather and celebrate the beginning of the Law School’s academic year.
In the study of law, there is no substitute for real-world experience. And when it comes to giving students hands-on opportunities, Villanova Law excels in providing over 200 externship opportunities, including many government placements. Colin Milon ’18 and Alyssa Pooler ’19 took advantage of the law school’s close proximity to Washington, D.C. and landed coveted externships on Capitol Hill.
Is administrative law unlawful? “No,” answers Adrian Vermeule in Law’s Abnegation: From Law’s Empire to the Administrative State (Harvard Univ. Press 2016), a nuanced yet bold defense of the administrative state we inhabit today. Professor Vermeule will be joined in conversation by distinguished scholars of law, political science, economics, philosophy, sociology, and theology for the Conference.
The Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy welcomes John Witte, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law, McDonald Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion of Emory University School of Law to speak on the topic “From Gospel to Law: Martin Luther’s Reformation of Law, Politics, and Society."
”Trafficking & Trauma: Engaging in Legal Advocacy for Survivors of CSE” will introduce attorneys to the federal and state laws related to commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The symposium will feature introductory remarks by The Honorable President Judge Marsha H. Neifield,. Participants will be trained in the technical instruction and empirical knowledge necessary to pursue post-conviction relief on behalf of survivors and learnhow to engage in trauma-informed lawyering.
For those wishing to enter the highly regulated field of Health Law, Villanova Law provides aspiring attorneys with the foundational skills, hands-on experience and personalized guidance they need for success. Stasha Sosnowicz ’19 is one such student who was able to combine her legal skills with her interests in science, business and advocacy through an externship with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
The Philadelphia Bar Association recently recognized Villanova Law alums Nikkita Gottling ’18, Pamela Putnam ’18 and Christian Wynne ’18 with the Eve Biskind Klothen Law Student Pro Bono Distinction Award, which is given to area law students for their commitment to pro bono and public interest work. Gottling, Putnam and Wynne devoted hours of their time to pro bono legal work through Villanova Law’s in-house clinics, student organizations and externship placements.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law recently announced the inaugural Diane E. Ambler '78 Faculty Curricular Innovation Award to recognize faculty members who have distinguished themselves through their innovation in creating pedagogical and curricular changes with a positive impact on the Law School. Professor Les Book and Professor Joy Mullane were named co-recipients of the award for their collaborative development of an innovative model for teaching.
Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, announced the establishment of two endowed faculty chairs – and appointed two esteemed faculty members to these newly established positions. Doris DelTosto Brogan ’81, Professor of Law has been named the Harold Reuschlein Leadership Chair. Michelle Madden Dempsey, Professor of Law has been named the first holder of the Harold Reuschlein Scholar Chair.
Lara M. Ruggerio ’18 to earn second place in the 2018 Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section writing contest for her paper, “Devil’s Advocate: An Examination into the Representation of Disfavored Plaintiffs in District Court Patent Proceedings.” Chandel Boozer ’18 took third place for her article, “Does Artificial Intelligence Embody Humanity? A Look into the Copyrightability of Artificial Intelligence-Created Works.” Seth Fenster ’18 earned an honorable mention for his submission.
Jason Kaner ’19 enrolled in the JD/MBA program and in his 2L year found a way to combine his legal and business career pursuits with his interest in sports and entertainment law. After working with the legal department on NFL Films, he is spending the summer in Los Angeles working in a different capacity in the league, now working on the media team as a club media policy associate.
Villanova Law graduates can be found leading law firms, businesses, nonprofits and government organizations in roles from partner to board member. Alum Ashe Puri ’02, partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, who was recently elected Co-President of the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (SABA-SC), exemplifies this tradition of leadership.
Students seeking hands-on work experience during their law school education have over 200 externship opportunities at Villanova Law. In choosing an externship, students are encouraged to align their personal and professional goals while developing and enhancing their legal skills. LaVelle King ’18 was able to do just that when she externed with Gift of Life, a nonprofit organization that coordinates life-saving and life-enhancing organ transplants.
Omeed Firouzi's ’18 devotion to public interest service led him to be named a 2018-2020 American Bar Association Section of Taxation Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellow. The Fellowship, which supports Firouzi’s work as an attorney in Philadelphia Legal Assistance’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, will begin in September 2018.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is not a distant problem affecting only people in the developing world. It is a problem that exists locally, throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Over the past several years, a number of groups and organizations have stepped up the fight against trafficking. Since its launch in 2015, the Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE Institute) has provided educational training and services and impacted key legislative efforts in the fight to support survivors of trafficking in Pennsylvania and beyond.
As Advanced Certified Interns in Villanova Law’s Clinic for Asylum, Refugee and Emigrant Services (CARES), Melisa Buchowiec ’18 and Omeed Firouzi ’18 gained hands-on client experience and won asylum for a deserving client.
Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law, recently announced the appointments of Christine Speidel as Assistant Professor and Director of the Federal Tax Clinic, and Amy Emerson as Assistant Professor and Director of the Law Library. Both were hired after rigorous nationwide searches and will join the Law School in July.
Was it a case of a paperwork technicality? Or was it an international criminal conspiracy? Those are the questions raised by NPR Marketplace’s podcast The Uncertain Hour as it explored the story of George Norris, an orchid enthusiast convicted in 2004 of conspiracy to smuggle into the United States protected orchid specimens from Peru. Todd Aagaard, Vice Dean and Professor of Law, spoke extensively to The Uncertain Hour about the case, which he prosecuted during his tenure with the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment & Natural Resources Division.
The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) recently elected Mark C. Alexander, Arthur J. Kania Dean of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, as a member of the AALS Executive Committee.
At Villanova Law, we believe that academics and professional development are intertwined and equally essential to the long-term success of our students. Today our curriculum infuses professional skills along with vital business principles and practical experience into each student’s rigorous legal training.
Villanova University Charles Widger
School of Law
299 North Spring Mill Road
Villanova, PA 19085
(610) 519-7000
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association:
American Bar Association
Office of the Managing Director
321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 988-6738
