Naming Guidelines
The official formal name of our institution is “Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.” This name is used for external publicity, marketing and communications as well as on official documents such as diplomas and transcripts.
Correct Usage:
First Reference: “the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law”
Subsequent references: “Charles Widger School of Law,” “Villanova Law,” “Widger School of Law,” “the Law School” or “Villanova”
Incorrect Usage:
Do not use any alternate shortened versions:
- Widger Law
- Villanova Law School
- Villanova School of Law
- Villanova University School of Law
- Acronyms, such as VLS, VSL, VUSL, VUCWSL, WSL
The abbreviation used for identification of class year in Law School materials is “CWSL.” This abbreviation is used only when identifying the class year of Villanova Law alumni not as an alternative for the official school name.
Note: University style for alumni identification differs from Law School style. See chart below.
| Law School Materials | University Materials | |
| Law students | Anticipated graduation year Diana Allen ’18 |
TBD based on editorial context |
| Law alumni | Class year John Smith ’61 |
Class year, degree John Smith ’61 JD |
| Law alumni with multiple law degrees | Identified by degree only John Smith ’61 JD and Mary Jones ’87 JD, ’90 LLM |
Identified by degree only John Smith ’61 JD and Mary Jones ’87 JD, ’90 LLM |
| Law alumni with undergraduate degrees from Villanova | Class year, college (undergrad), then class year, college (law) Alice Roberts ’94 CLAS, ’97 CWSL |
Class year, college (undergrad), then class year/degree (law school) Alice Roberts ’94 CLAS, ’97 JD |
| Class Notes | Class year John Smith ’61 |
Class year, college John Smith ’61 CWSL |
