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
Lewis H. Gold ’62 Lecture on Ethics & Professional Responsibility, 02/17
The Girard-diCarlo Center welcomes Major General Rebecca Vernon (Ret'd), United States Air Force, for the annual Gold Lecture. Her presentation, “Ethical Drift: Preserving Integrity One Decision at a Time," will explore how everyday decisions shape ethical outcomes.
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.
The Villanova Law Review 2026 Norman J. Shachoy Symposium, 02/20
This year’s Villanova Law Review Norman J. Shachoy Symposium features a series of discussions on constitutional checks and balances, focusing on how the modern executive branch shapes those checks. Each panel will examine the interaction between executive actors and a branch of government and will also address various topical questions.
Villanova Law Expands Study Abroad Offerings with Summer in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
In summer 2025, twelve Villanova Law students and three professors traveled to Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a new study abroad program. Spanning three weeks, the program included international and comparative law courses, experiential learning and cultural immersion.
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