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
THE VILLANOVA LAW DIFFERENCE
NEWS & EVENTS
From the Public Defender’s Office to the Supreme Court to the Classroom, 04/07
Villanova Law welcomes Bradford Colbert, professor of law and co-director of the Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners Clinic at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, for a fireside chat as he reflects on a career at the intersection of criminal defense, civil rights, clinical legal education and community advocacy.
Lasting Connections in the Villanova Law Community
Connections that extend beyond the classroom and last long after graduation are a defining factor of the Villanova Law experience. Steven Chanenson, professor of law and faculty director of the David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance, finds meaning in helping students achieve their goals during their time in law school and, often, staying in touch throughout their professional careers.
Making an Impact with the Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic
Sidney Sponer ’26 spent a year working at Villanova Law’s Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic, where she provided pro bono counsel to food industry workers and studied immigration law. Sponer reflects on how her experiences shaped her time at Villanova and her career path after graduation.
Kyle Schoener ’27 and Robert Slota ’27 Win 66th Annual Theodore L. Reimel Moot Court Competition
After weeks of preparation and preliminary arguments, Kyle Schoener ’27 and Robert Slota ’27, who argued on behalf of the respondent, were named winners of the annual Reimel competition in November 2025. Named in honor of the late Theodore L. Reimel, judge for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas from 1953 to 1973, the competition fosters student development in written and oral advocacy through simulated appellate argument.
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