Ask the Grad: Class of 2026
The Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law is pleased to celebrate the graduates of the Class of 2026. This impressive group of students joins a tight-knit community of more than 12,000 Villanova Law alumni.
Before they leave us, we asked members of the class of 2026 to share more about their Villanova Law experience.
Emma Bertsch ’26
Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
Without a doubt, I’ll miss the people the most. It may seem a little strange to call law school “home,” but that’s truly what the people here have made it feel like. From my best friends, who make even the most stressful of times bearable, to faculty and staff, who devote themselves to supporting students, Villanova Law’s community is unmatched. I am deeply grateful to have been a part of it, and I will miss it dearly.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
Over the past three years, there have been several defining moments in my law school career. However, when I reflect on my time at Villanova Law, what comes to mind are the simple, everyday moments that have quietly shaped my experience into something far more meaningful than I ever could have anticipated. Greeting Professor Pratt every morning at the library front desk, spending countless hours in the Commons with my friends, having the opportunity to learn from esteemed professors every day...these are the moments that have shaped my time at Villanova and the ones I’ll cherish the most.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I’m looking forward to beginning a fulfilling career that meaningfully contributes to the legal community. I’ve been so inspired by the professors here at Villanova and professionals that I’ve had the privilege of learning from through externships and summer positions, and I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned from them in my own career.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
I’m a big tennis fan, and at Wimbledon’s Centre Court is a quote that reads “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two imposters just the same.” In an environment like law school, where pressure is a constant and there’s always another accomplishment you’re working towards, it is a helpful and important reminder that neither success nor failure should define you, because both are fleeting compared to the person you become in the process.
Julianna Cleere ’26
Honor Board Chair
Admissions Ambassador
Dean's Ambassador
Faculty Hiring Committee
Emerging Technology Legal Society Treasurer
Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic
Law Library Research Assistant
Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am going to miss the community! It truly is like no other law school in the world. I know I will always be supported by my Villanova community, and have always felt like I belonged here! Everyone really wants to see each other succeed, get involved and is not afraid to lend a helping hand to someone struggling.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience at Villanova Law was getting to be an auctioneer for the PIFP auction during my third year. The auction is always my favorite event of the year, and I was so honored to get to be a part of it in my last year of law school!
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to hearing about all of the wonderful things my friends and peers are going to accomplish!
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Remember all of the hard work it took to get here! You should be so proud of your accomplishment and everything you have done and will continue to do! Make friends and take on new experiences; you might end up really liking something you had no idea about before. Don't be afraid to ask questions and to take time for yourself, too!
Alysse Danyi ’26
Articles Editor, Villanova Law Review
Co-Director, Walter A. Lucas Public Interest Fellowship Program
Editor-in-Chief, John F. Scarpa Center Forum on Entrepreneurship & Law
Teaching Assistant, Civil Procedure
Admissions Ambassador
Honor Board Representative
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am going to miss being part of the welcoming and energetic Law School community and interacting with the students, faculty and staff that make Villanova a great learning environment.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience was being involved in Villanova's Walter A. Lucas Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP), a student-run organization dedicated to increasing access to meaningful public interest work and organizing PIFP's annual auction fundraiser to support students working unpaid public interest summer internships!
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to applying the skills and experiences I gained in law school to my career as a corporate transactional attorney while also pursuing pro bono and community service opportunities.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Keep an open mind and participate in classes, extracurriculars and internships outside of your comfort zone. You might not discover that you have an interest in something until you experience it for yourself!
Brad Edwards ’26
2026 Commencement Student Speaker
Online Managing Editor, Villanova Environmental Law Journal
3L Representative, Student Bar Association
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I’m going to miss the people the most—students, faculty and staff. I genuinely looked forward to coming to school each day and seeing familiar faces across the building. That sense of community made the experience what it was.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
I think my most memorable experience is still ahead: having the opportunity to speak on behalf of my class at Commencement. It’s a moment I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I’m most looking forward to starting my career and putting my training into practice. I’m excited to find strong mentors, continue developing my craft and grow within the Philadelphia legal community as well as the Villanova Law alumni network. Most of all, I’m looking forward to using this skillset in a meaningful way in service of others.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Embrace the challenge. Law school is one of the hardest things you’ll do, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The discipline, drive and commitment you build here will serve you for the rest of your life. It won’t be easy—but it will be worth it.
Elizabeth Ellick ’26
Vice President, Student Bar Association
President, Jewish Law Student Association
Extern, CSE Institute
Student Works Editor, Villanova Law Review
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I am going to miss the professors and administrative faculty and staff that have made my law school experience so memorable. I have found true mentors here that I know I can turn to as I proceed through my legal career.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experiences at Villanova Law were serving on the Student Bar Association and the Jewish Law Student Association, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students, faculty, staff and administrators. The involvement and relationships I built through those experiences are what made my time at Villanova Law so meaningful.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am most looking forward to bringing everything I have learned over the past three years into practice and seeing the kind of lawyer Villanova has shaped me to become. In doing so, I am excited to strengthen the personal and professional relationships I have already built while also expanding and developing new connections beyond the Villanova Law community.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Take your head out of the books every once in a while and embrace the experiences and opportunities Villanova Law has to offer beyond the classroom. Some of the most valuable lessons and achievements come from stepping outside the confines of a casebook and engaging with the broader law school community.
Helen Hale-Mowry ’26
Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Law Journal
Honor Board Representative
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I will miss every single member of the Villanova Law community that I have come to call home over the past three years. I am so grateful for the support and camaraderie I have enjoyed at Villanova, and I will truly miss seeing everyone on a daily basis. From the many hours spent laughing in the Commons with my best friends to the personal and professional growth of my peers that I have had the pleasure of witnessing, I am so proud of the relationships I have cultivated and the community we have built within the Class of 2026. Although the lessons learned in the classroom are undoubtedly valuable, when I reflect on the past three years, my personal relationships with the students, faculty and staff members are the hallmark of my Villanova Law experience.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable moment— although there are many to choose from—has to be the Journals Recognition Dinner this year. It was an amazing celebration of a year of hard work and I was so grateful to commemorate the occasion with the friends that were by my side at every moment. As I passed the torch to the incoming leaders of the Journal, I couldn't help reflecting on my law school journey and I felt such pride in the work we produced and the legacy we will be leaving.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to taking the skills, lessons and values I have learned during my time at Villanova forward with me into my legal career. I am excited to see the community we have built here grow and develop as we move into the next phase of our lives. Villanova has not only taught us the practical skills we will need to be successful lawyers, but also the importance of serving the communities we call home.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
My greatest piece of advice is to find what fulfills you and don't lose sight of it. Whether it's curiosity, community or service, remember your why; it will help you get through the days where the work seems impossible and it will make the victories so much sweeter. It can be difficult to refrain from comparing your experience to others, but know that everyone has different processes and motivations. Do what works for you and makes you feel fulfilled.
Sarah Letizia ’26
President, Entertainment and Media Law Society
President, Student Mental Health Society
Publicity Coordinator, Women's Law Caucus
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
The kind staff that keeps everything running smoothly, especially Legal Grounds and the cafeteria.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
Helping defend those in need through the Tax Clinic.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward consistent income and free weekends.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Don't re-invent the wheel and trust that you are capable.
Sadie Richardson ’26
President, Student Bar Association
Committee Member, Walter A. Lucas Public Interest Fellowship Program
Online Managing Editor, Villanova Environmental Law Journal
3L Representative, If/When/How
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I will miss the people. I am deeply grateful for the community of students, faculty, staff and alumni who make Villanova Law such a vibrant, engaging and welcoming environment. While I have formed many lifelong friendships, I will especially miss the daily moments of connection, like running into friends and colleagues in the Commons, that made this experience so meaningful.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My involvement in the Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP) has been my most memorable experience at Villanova Law. I am deeply grateful to PIFP for making it possible for me to spend my summer after my first year at a local nonprofit, and for fostering a strong sense of community for public interest students within the Law School. It has been especially meaningful to witness the collective support of students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and local businesses, particularly through the annual auction, in advancing the impactful work of both students and nonprofit organizations.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I look forward to applying the professional and personal lessons I have gained at Villanova Law to my life and work after graduation. My experience has strengthened my abilities as an advocate, deepened my capacity for empathetic leadership and sharpened my critical thinking skills. I am eager to work with and advocate for corporate clients while also maintaining a commitment to pro bono service, guided by the values instilled in me during my time at Villanova.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Pursue involvement in the opportunities that genuinely interest you. The three years of law school pass quickly, and Villanova offers a wide range of meaningful ways to engage both within the school and throughout the broader community. Some of my most valuable friendships and mentorships developed through connections formed in student organizations. In addition, the law school’s strong pro bono partnerships provide unique opportunities to connect with and learn from local organizations engaged in impactful work across the greater Philadelphia area.
Victoria Tara ’26
President, Health Law Society
Vice Chair, Honor Board
Vice President, Fashion Law Society
Spring 2026 Legal Extern, Louis Vuitton
Certified Legal Intern, Villanova Health Law Clinic
Events Chair, First-Generation Lawyers
Philanthropic Chair, Villanova Italian-American Legal Organization
Student Representative, BARBRI
Intellectual Property Law Society
St. Thomas More Society
First Place, Fashion Law Society and Entertainment Law Society Negotiation Competition
Quarterfinalist, Villanova Law 1L Trial Competition
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
Villanova Law's sense of community was palpable during my tour, which led me to apply Early Decision. My Villanova Law experience exceeded my expectations, and I'm going to miss the shared commitment to advocacy for a better society practiced by everyone in the building. However, I've witnessed this same spirit alive in our alumni population far beyond our four walls, and I'm honored to join this cohort.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
Serving as 1L Rep, Social Media Chair, and eventually Vice President of the Fashion Law Society, taking the Fashion Law course taught by Tiffani McDonough Solomon ’06, senior director of litigation & employment at Louis Vuitton, and co-leading Villanova's 11th Annual Katherine Del Raso Fashion Law Symposium were highlights of my Villanova Law experience. Additionally, I couldn't imagine a more memorable way to end my law school career than as a legal extern for Louis Vuitton at its flagship location in New York City. I cannot thank Tiffani enough for this dream opportunity, Professor MarySheila McDonald for advising my externship and for both of their belief in me.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I'm most excited to practice litigation and continue to gain hands-on experience. Villanova Law fostered my academic and professional growth in health law. During the summer after my first year, I was an in-house legal intern at Griffin Hospital in Connecticut, where I was mentored by Nancy Marini, Esq. She inspired me to complete the Villanova health law concentration under the guidance of Professor Ana Santos Rutschman, two semesters of the Health Law Clinic and serve as a president of the Health Law Society. Spending the summer after my second year at Marshall Dennehey, PC solidified my interest in practicing health law. It is a privilege to learn from my supervisor, Donna Modestine, Esq., and I'm excited to return to Marshall Dennehey and practice healthcare civil defense litigation upon my graduation from Villanova Law.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Comparison is the thief of joy. Remember who you are, that you are special and here for a unique reason only you can fulfill and the rest will fall into place.
Samantha Thompson-Hickey ’26
Widger Leadership Scholar
Business and Special Projects Editor, Villanova Environmental Law Journal
President, Pro Bono Society
Honor Board Member
3L Representative, Labor and Employment Law Society
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
Beyond the friendly faces at the law school that make Villanova such a welcoming place, I will miss the constant exposure to new ideas and perspectives that come from the incredible volume of programming different student groups and centers on campus have planned and offered. They have panels, guest speakers and practitioner-led events that happen almost daily. These events create space to engage directly with experts about how the law is evolving, hear firsthand experiences from across the profession and discuss different viewpoints on current issues. This level of consistent and accessible engagement with really interesting ideas is something much harder to replicate in practice!
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience at Villanova Law has been my pro bono work. Law school can be stressful, and it often feels like there’s always something you should be doing, but every time I showed up to a clinic or helped with a community meal and “Know Your Rights” information, I was reminded why I came to law school in the first place. In those moments, you’re face-to-face with people in your community who have real legal needs that often aren’t being met elsewhere, and you can actually help. It’s a huge reminder of the privilege that comes with a legal education and the responsibility and opportunity we have to make an impact on people’s lives.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I'm most looking forward to actually doing the work! We've spent the last few years studying case law, practicing our skills and talking about what it means to be a lawyer. Now we get to step into that role and serve our clients as their real-life attorney. I know there will be a learning curve and moments that feel daunting, but I'm really looking forward to that first moment where I get a really meaningful result for my client and know that I played a role in making a difference for them. That makes all of it worth it!
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
Soak in every moment. Your first year might feel like it lasts forever, but lean into being new and figuring it out, especially with the people in your section. Those are the people who will commiserate with you, study with you and ultimately be part of your journey throughout all three years.
Once you get past that first year, time really does fly. Take advantage of everything you said you wanted to do in law school. Try a clinic. Do a judicial externship. Take a class just because it interests you. Go to that lunch event, even if it’s outside of what you think you want to practice. Make time for the fun stuff - Fall Fest, Red Mass, the PIFP Auction, etc.
This might be your last time as a student, so take full advantage of it!
Anthony Williams ’26
President, Labor & Employment Law Society
President, Fashion Law Society
Director of External Affairs, Black Law Students Association
Vice President, Family Law Society
Dean’s Ambassador
Student DEI Agent, EMPOWER
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I’m going to miss the community. Villanova Law has a very tight-knit community, whether it’s the student body or the alumni, and being able to come to school every day and have classes with your friends and classmates, listen to their discussions, and know that every day I’m stimulating my brain and learning different topics I would have never thought about from people who are my peers is really valuable. I’ll really miss those daily interactions.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experience was my first day. Coming in for orientation, everyone was dressed up, you don’t know anybody and having those first-day jitters. We’re all adults, but it almost felt like summer camp, where we’re dropped off and have to make new friends. Those first few days of getting to know people and navigating through classes.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned from Villanova Law and make it my own. I’m excited to use the resources I’ve gained, whether from professors or the administration, and build a career on them. I hope to be a resource for future students who come to Villanova Law or are looking to apply. I’m excited to be the alumnus that people reach out to or do a mock interview with or speak on a panel. I’m excited to give back to the next generation of law students.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
I would advise the incoming class to keep their options open—you may come to law school with a certain idea about what you want to practice, and that may change, or it may not, but be open to soaking everything in.
Karina Zakarian ’26
President, Environmental & Energy Law Society
Co-President, Middle Eastern Law Students Association
Associate Editor and Staff Writer, Villanova Law Review
What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?
I have been at Villanova for seven years, and what has shaped my experience so pivotally on this campus is the people. I will miss everyone I made a connection with at Villanova Law and look forward to seeing my classmates in legal practice. Villanova Law embodies Villanova's commitment to Caritas, and I am very grateful to have been a part of such a unique and special community.
What was your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?
My most memorable experiences were participating in the Reimels Competition, Villanova Law Review and Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic. I gained so many valuable skills from those opportunities and encourage other students to take advantage of the practical learning experiences Villanova Law has to offer.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to applying the knowledge and skills I have developed during my time as a Villanova law student into my future legal practice as an attorney for Fox Rothschild.
What advice would you give to the incoming Villanova Law class of 2029?
My advice would be to make the most of your Villanova Law experience. It is certainly a challenge being a law student, but it was worth the ride, and the years go by fast, so take it all in and enjoy the journey!