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
Building Bridges Series: “Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church,” 10/28
Join Mark C. Alexander, the Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law, as he leads a discussion with Hahrie Han, professor and the inaugural director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, about her recent book, "Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church." This discussion, co-sponsored by Villanova Law and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is part of the “Building Bridges” series.
Villanova Law Fall 2025 Open House, 11/15
Join us for our admissions open house on Saturday, November 15. Meet faculty, staff and current students, and learn more about our academic program. You will have the opportunity to take a tour of the Law School and get answers to your questions about admissions, financial aid and student life.
Students Share Externship and Judicial Externship Experiences
Every summer, Villanova Law students participate in law-based externship positions to further their legal education with hands-on experiences in professional settings throughout the United States and even abroad. Several students discussed the takeaways of their experiences as externs and judicial externs this summer.
New Faculty Chair Appointments Beginning Fall 2025
Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean, recently announced two new faculty chair appointments beginning in fall 2025. Professor Todd Aagaard is the Heller McGuinness Leadership Chair, and Professor Jennifer O’Hare is the Martin G. McGuinn Chair in Business Law.
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...
TV 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...