Lasting Connections in the Villanova Law Community

March 31, 2026—Connections that extend beyond the classroom and last long after graduation are a defining factor of the Villanova Law experience. Having spent more than twenty-five years at Villanova Law, 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. 

“My role doesn’t necessarily stop when students graduate,” he says. “There are plenty of graduates with whom I am still in contact years later, and it is always exciting to hear from them. They might ask questions about substantive issues, seek advice when they are considering a career change or simply want to touch base.”

This was exactly the case for Chanenson at this year’s “New Judge School,” a mandated training for newly elected judges administered by the Judicial Education Division of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts; it is held every two years. Chanenson, who helped plan and teach sessions on criminal sentencing, was thrilled to find that two Villanova Law alumni from the same graduating class were in attendance.

Hons. Jeremy Clark ’09 and Sasha Sacavage ’09 met early at Villanova Law in the same first-year small section and took one of Chanenson’s classes together. Clarkis a newly elected judge in Northampton County. After law school, he clerked in Northampton County and then worked for Harry Newman and Associates before starting his own practice in 2013. He also held positions as conflicts counsel, special master in divorce and assistant solicitor for the City of Easton.

“[Chanenson was] just as I remember him from Villanova: upbeat, engaging and highly informative,” Clark reflected on their serendipitous reunion.

Recently elected in Cumberland County, Sacavage previously worked as an associate attorney at a large regional law firm in Philadelphia following her time at Villanova Law. She then served in regulatory and enforcement counsel roles with several state agencies. Prior to joining the Court of Common Pleas, she served as ethics counsel to members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Sacavage particularly remembered Chanenson’s expertise: “I told the rest of my bench that I was a former student of the famous ‘sentencing guru’ Professor Steve Chanenson, and they were very impressed!” she shared.

For Chanenson, the feeling is mutual.

“It was lovely to see Judges Clark and Sacavage again, and to learn that they have remained close over the years,” Chanenson said. “To me, this speaks to the lasting connections between our students, the enduring value of what we teach, and Villanova’s broad reach across the Commonwealth and beyond.”