LAW STUDENT AMBASSADORS SPOTLIGHT
Our student ambassadors are eager to share their Villanova Law experience!
From Admitted Students Day to Orientation, they are involved in welcoming new and prospective students to the Villanova Law community. See what they have to say about their experiences below and connect with them to learn more about Villanova Law!
Evan Abouaf ’28
Hometown: Leonia, NJ
Undergrad School: Northeastern University
- What are your career aspirations?
My goal is to work at a firm in corporate transactional law, preferably working in either M&A or Bankruptcy.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
So far, I have not had the opportunity to tackle any pro bono work, nor work any externships or clinics as I am only a 2nd semester 1L. I plan on exploring many externship opportunities, as well as a handful of the wonderful clinic opportunities that Villanova has to offer as I enter my 2L and 3L years.
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Outside of serving as a student ambassador, I am a member of the Corporate Law Society, Sports Law Society, and Tort Law Society.
- What was your favorite law school class?
Civil Procedure with Professor Juliano
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
The first semester of law school can be challenging and stressful. I think it is extremely important to set aside time for yourself to focus on an activity that you enjoy doing outside of school. Taking time away is imperative to staying positive throughout the semester and will help you be more productive throughout the week.
Giuliana Black ’27
- What are your career aspirations?
I hope to work in high-profile, high-net worth matrimonial and family law litigation in New York.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
During my 1L summer, I externed for the New York Supreme Court-Matrimonial Part. I worked for a judge doing matrimonial work, wrote motions, reviewed cases and oversaw court proceedings.
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I am on the executive board for the Federalist Society, a representative for the Villanova Italian American Legal Organization and a member of Family Law, Fashion Law and St. Thomas Moore Society.
- What was your favorite law school class?
Constitutional Law
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Don't be afraid to pave your own path. There are so many different opportunities with a legal degree, so don't feel pressured to follow the crowd. Do what interests you!
Melody Concul '27
What are your career aspirations?
I am currently exploring my career options, but my primary interests lie in civil litigation.What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
Villanova Law offers a wide range of opportunities for hands-on experience and service. I have participated in the Montgomery County Expungement Clinic, volunteered at local homeless shelters, and earned course credit through a judicial externship at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I stay actively involved in the law school community by serving as a Dean and Student Ambassador. I also serve as the President of the Latin American Law Students Association and Treasurer of the Anti-Poverty Law Society.What was your favorite law school class?
My favorite class so far has been Criminal Law. I found the material intellectually engaging and appreciated how it challenged my critical thinking skills, particularly in analyzing both the legal and moral implications.What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
One piece of advice I would offer is to connect with current students before enrolling. Speaking with them can provide valuable insight into the school’s culture, academic expectations, and support systems.
Erin Duffy '27
- What are your career aspirations?
I am interested in both Estate Planning and civil litigation.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
Tax Law Clinic & the Allegheny County DA's office
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
This semester, I am aiming to be involved with the Villanova Sports Law Blog.
If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
I was a case manager at Morgan & Morgan for one year prior to law school.
- What was your favorite law school class?
Property with Professor Aagaard.
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
What works for others won’t necessarily work for you. Focus on figuring out your best habits and sticking to them.
Devon Fagan ’28
Hometown: East Hanover, NJ
Undergraduate School: University of Florida
- What are your career aspirations?
I want to pursue a career in tax law and earn an LLM in Taxation at Villanova.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I volunteered for Wills for Heroes and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Sports Law Blog, Honor Board, Tax Law Society
- What was your favorite law school class?
Torts with Professor Figley
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Take advantage of any opportunities to explore different career paths through networking events, older students and alumni.
Paulie Giordano ’28
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate School: Villanova University (major in finance with a minor in business law and corporate governance)
- What are your career aspirations?
I hope to pursue a career in corporate law, specifically mergers & acquisitions in the Philadelphia area.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
Given my business background, I am very interested in participating in the Clinic for Law & Entrepreneurship.
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
In addition to my role as a student ambassador, I am the external outreach chair for the Real Estate Law Society, an Honor Board representative and a current 1L representative for the Corporate Law Society, the Italian American Legal Organization and the First Generation Lawyers Group.
- What was your favorite law school class?
So far, my favorite classes include Civil Procedure and Legal Writing.
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Growth is not a linear path. Prioritize your well-being and don’t be too hard on yourself. Learn from your mistakes and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Isabel Graham ’28
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Undergraduate School: Fordham University
- What are your career aspirations?
I would love to work within sports law–contracting, negotiating, and/or litigating for teams. However, I am also very interested in criminal law and would happily waltz around a courtroom.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I am in the Caritas Clemency Clinic!
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I am currently the vice president of the Sports Law Society, the 2L representative/1L liaison of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, coach of the Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Team, a member of the Baseball Sports Law Negotiation Team and a member of the Sports Law Concentration.
- What was your favorite law school class?
So far, my favorite law school class is Torts, taught by Professor Figley. The personal insight he brought from his time at the DOJ, along with the interactive way we covered the material, truly sparked an interest in tort law.
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Please know that it will all work out. We were once in your shoes, and soon you will be in ours! Have faith and trust the process. You are your own biggest advocate. P.S. Law school is as enjoyable as you make it!
Kyra MacLean ’27
- What are your career aspirations?
My career aspirations are to work for the Navy as a JAG. After I complete my service with the military, I hope to work in public interest as a litigator.
- What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I am involved in the Caritas Clemency Clinic, I am a PIFP recipient, I am on the PIFP exec board and I am a site chair for the Montgomery County Expungement Clinic, which is a part of the Pro Bono Society.
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I am involved in the graduate student senate, Pro bono society, PIFP, Sports Law Society, American Constitutional Society and Women's Law Caucus.
- What was your favorite law school class?
My favorite law school class so far was Constitutional Law.
- What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
My biggest advice is to trust the process! Law school admissions are stressful and it's natural to feel behind or overwhelmed, don't let a denial or a bad test score stop you from applying somewhere because you never know what that school is looking.
Molly Moore ’27
Hometown: Phoenixville, PA
Undergrad: Villanova University (BS in Biochemistry, MS in Chemistry)
What are your career aspirations?
To work on pharmaceutical patent litigation.What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I will be working in the Intellectual Property Clinic in spring 2026.What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I am the vice president of the Health Law Society, a staff writer for the Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal, blog editor-in-chief for the Intellectual Property Society and university senator for the Student Bar Association.What was your favorite law school class?
Civil ProcedureWhat advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Remember to take breaks to avoid burn-out and you can always make some time to keep doing the things you love.
Isabel Cubiñá O'Hara ’27
What are your career aspirations?
My goal is to become a criminal prosecutor.What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I am currently involved in the Caritas Clemency Clinic.What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I am the president/founder of the Villanova Law Republicans, the secretary for the St. Thomas More Society and a staff writer on Villanova Environmental Law Journal.What was your favorite law school class?
Property (surprisingly)What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts in class. Academic discourse is where we grow and learn as individuals!
Peightyn Schwartz ’27
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to work on high-stakes, meaningful transactional matters for large companies.What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I have externed for an insurance defense firm and will likely participate in the Entrepreneurship Clinic.What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I'm a Scarpa Fellow, social media chair for the Entrepreneurship Law Society, an Honor Board Representative and a member of Women's Law Caucus, Sports Law Society, Real Estate Law Society, and Corporate Law Society.What was your favorite law school class?
My favorite classes so far have been Contracts, Torts and Transactional Legal Writing.What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Focus on building genuine friendships, ignore competition and trust yourself and your abilities that got you here!
Gavin Shust ’27
What are your career aspirations?
I want to work in entertainment law in New York City.What pro bono opportunities or externships/clinics have you been involved in?
I did a summer externship at Berman Voss, working in workers' compensation defense.What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
I am the secretary of the Student Mental Health Society and on the exec board for OUTLaw. I am also a Dean's Ambassador and a member of the Dean's Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisory Council.What was your favorite law school class?
Contracts with Professor Saiman.What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Be kind to yourself and to others. Embrace your empathy; it will make you a better lawyer and a better person. Be proud of yourselves; even going to law school is an achievement worth celebrating!