Villanova University School of Law
Encyclopedia
Villanova University School of Law is the law school of Villanova University
, the oldest and largest Catholic University in Pennsylvania. Villanova was founded 150 years ago by the Augustinians, a prominent Roman Catholic teaching order. The University is located 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia in the Main Line suburb of Villanova.
Opened in 1953, the School of Law is approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Approximately 720 students study full time in the J.D. program which offers more than 100 offerings including foundation courses, specialty offerings, drafting courses, clinical experiences, seminars, simulation courses and externships. The faculty /student ratio is 17:1.
The school of law is ranked 84th in the 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report
's Best Graduate Schools.
In November 2007, the Villanova School of Law began construction on a new building to house classrooms, offices, and research facilities. The building was completed in August 2009. The new facility was built according to LEED
standards and incorporate a park like setting with a walking trail.
The school also strives to provide leadership in information technology, law and psychology, taxation, and international law, among other fields .
's "Best Graduate Schools" ranked Villanova Law:
GPA:
LSAT:
The law journals are:
The Villanova Environmental Law Journal publishes both student and outside articles dealing with environmental issues. Students are selected for membership by an open writing competition. The Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal contains articles prepared by practitioners and professors in sports and entertainment law as well as by students. Membership is earned by selection through an open writing competition.
“Practice Specialty Expo,” which brings nearly 100 attorneys to the law school for a networking experience; recruitment programs throughout the year, including an array of employers in private practice (large and small firms), government, nonprofits, the judiciary, and corporations; special recruitment programs designed to enhance diversity in the profession; job fairs targeting unique geographic or practice preferences; and job search coaching for new graduates on the job market.
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, the oldest and largest Catholic University in Pennsylvania. Villanova was founded 150 years ago by the Augustinians, a prominent Roman Catholic teaching order. The University is located 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia in the Main Line suburb of Villanova.
Opened in 1953, the School of Law is approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Approximately 720 students study full time in the J.D. program which offers more than 100 offerings including foundation courses, specialty offerings, drafting courses, clinical experiences, seminars, simulation courses and externships. The faculty /student ratio is 17:1.
The school of law is ranked 84th in the 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
's Best Graduate Schools.
In November 2007, the Villanova School of Law began construction on a new building to house classrooms, offices, and research facilities. The building was completed in August 2009. The new facility was built according to LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
standards and incorporate a park like setting with a walking trail.
Degrees awarded
- J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
- J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
/M.B.A.Master of Business AdministrationThe Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
with School of Business - J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
/Ph.D.Doctor of PhilosophyDoctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in Law and Psychology with Drexel UniversityDrexel UniversityDrexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
Health Sciences (not currently offered) - J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
/LL.M.Master of LawsThe Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
in Law and Taxation - J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
/LL.M.Master of LawsThe Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
in International Law - LL.M.Master of LawsThe Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
in Taxation
Juris Doctor (JD)
Villanova offers a legal education designed to teach the rules of law and their application; to demonstrate how lawyers analyze legal issues and express arguments and conclusions; to inculcate the skills of the counselor, advocate, and decision maker; and to explore the ethical and moral dimensions of law practice and professional conduct.Joint JD/MBA program
The Villanova University School of Law and the Villanova School of Business offer a joint-degree program permitting simultaneous study for the Juris Doctor and the Master of Business Administration degrees. The Villanova School of Business is one of the few business schools in the nation whose Master of Business Administration and Department of Accountancy program have been approved by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In the program, credit is given for certain courses by both the School of Law and the School of Business. Through this program, degrees may be completed in less time than it would take to obtain them separately.Graduate Tax Program
The Graduate Tax program is an interdisciplinary program led by Leslie M. Book conducted under the auspices of the Villanova University School of Law and Villanova’s School of Business. The program has over 30 courses, which are also available to JD candidates, who are able to enroll in LLM courses as well as participate in the joint JD/LLM program. http://www.law.villanova.edu/Resources/Graduate%20Tax%20Program/Academics.aspx Business students participating in the Graduate Tax Program may earn a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) degree.Special programs
Beyond the skills of written and oral expression developed in the first-year writing program and the required upper-level moot court program, drafting, and seminar courses, Villanova University School of Law students acquire the fundamental skills of the practicing lawyer—including counseling, negotiation, advocacy, mediation, dispute resolution, conciliation, and mature judgment. Hands-on clinical opportunities allow students to apply classroom experiences to real-world client representation, often while performing public service. Clinical programs include Federal Tax; Civil Justice; Asylum, Refugee, and Emigrant Services; and Farmworkers Legal Aid.The school also strives to provide leadership in information technology, law and psychology, taxation, and international law, among other fields .
Rankings and honors
The 2009 edition of U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
's "Best Graduate Schools" ranked Villanova Law:
- 84th in the country overall
- 7th in the country (tie) in Legal Writing
- 18th in the country (tie) in Tax Law
Class Statistics
Fall 2010 Entering Class Profile**:- Total Number Applicants: 3739
- Total Enrolled: 251
- In-state: 37%
- Out-of-state: 63%
- Students of Color: 23%
- Undergraduate Schools Represented: 119
GPA:
- Median GPA: 3.33
- 25th Percentile GPA: 3.15
- 75th Percentile GPA: 3.56
LSAT:
- Median LSAT: 160
- 25th Percentile LSAT: 159
- 75th Percentile LSAT: 163
Publications
Students of the Juris Doctor (JD) program are involved in preparing and publishing the Villanova Law Review, as well as other law journals. Members of the law review are selected on the basis of academic rank or through an open writing competition. The Villanova Law Review was first published in 1956.The law journals are:
- Villanova Law Review
- Environmental Law Journal
- Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal
- Journal of Catholic Social Thought
The Villanova Environmental Law Journal publishes both student and outside articles dealing with environmental issues. Students are selected for membership by an open writing competition. The Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal contains articles prepared by practitioners and professors in sports and entertainment law as well as by students. Membership is earned by selection through an open writing competition.
Notable alumni
- Frederick Anton III - (law class of 1958), President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufactures Association and the Pennsylvania Manufactures Insurance Company
- Richard Joseph ArcaraRichard Joseph ArcaraRichard Joseph Arcara is a United States federal judge.Born in Buffalo, New York, Arcara received a B.A. from St. Bonaventure University in 1962 and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1965. He was a Captain in the United States Army, Military Police Corps from 1966 to 1967. He was...
- (law class of 1965), Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of New YorkUnited States District Court for the Western District of New YorkThe United States District Court for the Western District of New York is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises only a part of New York....
(1988–present; Chief Judge, 2003–2010) - Kelly AyotteKelly AyotteKelly A. Ayotte is the junior United States Senator from New Hampshire and a member of the Republican Party. She earlier served as the Attorney General of New Hampshire.-Early life, education and career:...
- (law class of 1993), Current United States SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
(Republican from New Hampshire)) (2011–present); formerly New Hampshire Attorney General (2004–2009) - Lewis R. Carluzzo - (law class of 1974), Trial Judge of the United States Tax CourtUnited States Tax CourtThe United States Tax Court is a federal trial court of record established by Congress under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, section 8 of which provides that the Congress has the power to "constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court"...
- J. Scot ChadwickJ. Scot ChadwickJ. Scot Chadwick is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Chadwick graduated from Towanda Area High School in 1971. He later graduated from Bucknell University in 1975 and earned a law degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1978...
- (law class of 1978), a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1985–2000) - Mary Little CooperMary Little CooperMary Little Cooper is a senior United States federal judge.Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Cooper received an A.B. from Bryn Mawr College in 1968 and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1972. She was in private practice in Newark, New Jersey from 1972 to 1984. She was a Commissioner,...
- (law class of 1972),federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1992–present; formerly Vice-president and general counsel, Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance, Holmdel (1990–1992); Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Banking (1984–1990) - Craig DallyCraig DallyCraig Dally was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 138th District. Dally was first elected in 1996 and was in office until 2010...
- (law class of 1988), current Judge for the 3rd District of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (2011–present); former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 138th District (1996–2010) - Charlie GerowCharlie GerowCharles R. Gerow is a prominent political consultant, commentator, and lawyer in Pennsylvania.Gerow holds a law degree from Villanova University School of Law and has been an attorney for over 25 years. He worked as a member of the field staff for the 1980 Reagan campaign. He has performed advance...
- Influential Republican political strategist - David F. Girard-diCarloDavid F. Girard-diCarloDavid F. Girard-diCarlo is an American lawyer and former diplomat.Girard-diCarlo received his bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's University and studied law at the Villanova University School of Law...
- (law class of 1973), attorney and United States Ambassador to AustriaUnited States Ambassador to AustriaThis is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Austria.The United States first established diplomatic relations with Austria in 1838 during the time of the Austrian Empire. Relations between the United States have been continuous since that time except for two interruptions during World War...
(2008–2009); former Managing Partner and Chairman of Blank RomeBlank RomeBlank Rome LLP, formerly known as Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley, is a full-service international law and government affairs firm. It is ranked as the 84th largest law firm in the United States in terms of revenue, according to the AmLaw 100 Survey... - William J. Green, IIIWilliam J. Green, IIIWilliam Joseph Green, III is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Green also served as the 94th Mayor of Philadelphia.-Youth:...
- former Member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(1964–1977); Mayor of Philadelphia (1980–1984) - Jeff MooradJeff MooradJeff Moorad is a former sports agent and is currently lead owner of the San Diego Padres and part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.He is an Assyrian American...
- owner, San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times... - Ed RendellEd RendellEdward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
- former Governor of Pennsylvania (2003–2011); former Mayor of Philadelphia (1992–1999) - Marjorie RendellMarjorie RendellMarjorie Osterlund Rendell is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a former First Lady of Pennsylvania. In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".- Personal background :Rendell was born in...
- Federal JudgeFederal judgeFederal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state / provincial / local level.-Brazil:In Brazil, federal judges of first instance are chosen exclusively by public contest...
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitThe United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts for the following districts:* District of Delaware* District of New Jersey...
(1997–Present); former Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaThe United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is one of the original 13 federal judiciary districts created by the Judiciary Act of 1789... - William H. Ryan, Jr.William H. Ryan, Jr.William H. Ryan, Jr. is an American politician and attorney who served as the acting Attorney General of Pennsylvania from January through May of 2011.-Education:Ryan is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University and Villanova University Law School....
- Acting Attorney General of Pennsylvania (2011–present); formerly District Attorney of Delaware County (1988–1996) - Jennifer SantiagoJennifer Santiagoright|thumbnail|Jennifer SantiagoJennifer Santiago is an attorney, freelance writer, photographer and Emmy Award-Winning reporter for HDNews....
- (law class of 1987), Emmy Award-winning journalist - Donald William Snyder - (law class of 1982), Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1981–2000; Majority Whip 1997-2000)
- Gerald R. StockmanGerald R. StockmanGerald R. Stockman is an American attorney and politician who served 10 years in the New Jersey Senate, from 1982 to 1992, where he represented the 15th Legislative District....
- (law class of 1959), noted fair housing advocate and former New Jersey State Senator (1982–1992) - Richard TrumkaRichard TrumkaRichard Louis Trumka is an organized labor leader in the United States. He was elected President of the AFL-CIO on September 16, 2009, at the labor federation's convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, from 1995 to 2009, and prior to that was...
- President of the AFL-CIOAFL-CIOThe American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
and former president of the United Mine Workers of America
Competitions
Each year, second- and third-year students have the opportunity to practice lawyering skills through the Client Interviewing and Counseling Competition, the Reimel Moot Court Competition, and several outside moot court competitions.Student organizations
- Asian-Pacific American Law Students
- Black Law Students AssociationNational Black Law Students AssociationThe National Black Law Students Association , founded in 1968, is a nationwide organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of black law students and effectuates change in the legal community...
- Civil Rights Law Society
- Corporate Law Society
- Criminal Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Family Law Society
- OUTLaw (Gay-Straight AllianceGay-straight allianceGay–straight alliances are student organizations, found primarily in North American high schools and universities, that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their straight allies .-Goal:The goal of most, if not all,...
) - Health Law Society
- Intellectual Property Protection Society
- International Law Society
- Jewish Law Students Association
- Labor and Employment Law Society
- Latin American Law Student Association
- Justinian Society
- Phi Alpha DeltaPhi Alpha DeltaΦAΔ , or P.A.D., is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States of America. Phi Alpha Delta has members who are university students, law school students, lawyers, judges, senators, and even presidents. It was founded in 1902 and today has over 300,000 initiated members...
- Phi Delta PhiPhi Delta PhiPhi Delta Phi, ΦΔΦ, is the world's second largest legal fraternity. Phi Delta Phi is the second oldest legal organization in continuous existence in the United States and third oldest in North America...
- St. Thomas More Society
- South Asian Law Students Association
- Sports and Entertainment Law Society
- Tax Law Society
- The Women’s Caucus
- The Walter Lucas Public Interest Fellowship Program
Library and physical facilities
In the law library, students have access to 130 computer workstations located in a computer lab and throughout the library’s stacks. There are an additional 40 computers dedicated to student usage throughout the remainder of the law school. In addition, all students with laptops can access Villanova University’s high-speed internet connection and all of the technology resources throughout the law school via wired and wireless connections. Finally, the law library contains more than 500,000 volume-equivalents in books and microforms, along with subscriptions to numerous legal databases to which students have ready access.Career strategy and advancement
The mission of the Career Strategy and Advancement Office is to provide career planning education, recruitment programs, and individual counseling as the foundation for future career development and satisfaction of the students. The office's features and programs include three attorney-advisors, including a public service/pro bono specialist; an open-door policy, including a daily “on call” advisor for walk-ins and “quick questions”; small group workshops for 1Ls; dozens of career workshops and panel programs on topics ranging from interviews, résumés, and networking, to public interest careers, judicial clerkships, and a multitude of practice specialty areas;“Practice Specialty Expo,” which brings nearly 100 attorneys to the law school for a networking experience; recruitment programs throughout the year, including an array of employers in private practice (large and small firms), government, nonprofits, the judiciary, and corporations; special recruitment programs designed to enhance diversity in the profession; job fairs targeting unique geographic or practice preferences; and job search coaching for new graduates on the job market.