Villanova University School of Law 2013-2014 Admissions Viewbook

Villanova University

School of Law

WHY VILLANOVA LAW?

Welcome

to Villanova

At Villanova University School of Law, you will find a strong community that will challenge you and support your success.

We prepare you for your last job, not simply your first. –Dean John Y. Gotanda

Cover skyline photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

University School of Law Villanova isn’t just a law school. It is a training ground for legal, corporate and civic leaders. Our community—faculty, staff, administrators and alumni—comes together for a single purpose: To help students develop the knowledge, skills and experience they need to succeed in today’s market and to seize tomorrow’s opportunities.

The legal profession has changed in recent years, and Villanova Law responded by redesigning the curriculum to align with the demands of professional practice. We intensified writing instruction and built a basic business understanding into every student’s experience to ensure that you are ready to practice on day one. We expanded the scope of our already robust externship program and introduced new interdisciplinary clinics to offer more opportunities to gain hands-on, real-world experience. Also, we reinvigorated our career strategy department by assembling a team of four full-time career advisors to provide individualized attention and specialized support. Their knowledge, expertise and professional connections will enable our graduates to compete for a wider array of career opportunities, as well as provide a competitive edge.

The strength of the Villanova experience comes from a shared responsibility to uphold the ideals of our Augustinian Catholic tradition. Here, students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others.

I hope you enjoy exploring these pages, and that they will inspire you to visit and experience the Villanova difference for yourself.

Sincerely,

John Y. Gotanda Dean and Professor of Law

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DEGREE PROGRAMS

A Comprehensive

Curricu

What sets Villanova Law’s JD program apart? Our cutting-edge curriculum is seamlessly designed to connect in-depth theoretical study to meaningful real-world applications.

In your first year, you will receive a strong foundation in the fundamentals of American law. In the core courses of Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property and Torts, you will sharpen your legal analysis and argumentation skills. In the second and third years, your path is personal. Shape your own course of study by selecting from an extensive array of electives and seminars. You can also master practical skills in a variety of experiential courses, clinical programs and externships.

Visit www.law.villanova.edu/academics to view the Course Catalog.

However and wherever you want to practice law, with a Villanova Law degree you can make it happen.

Degree Programs • JD, 3 years • JD/LLM in International Studies, 3 years • JD/MBA with Villanova School of Business, 3 years • JD/MPA, 3 years • JD/LLM in Taxation, 3.5–4 years • Graduate Tax LLM in Taxation, 3.5–4 years

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lum

Only at NOVA Villanova is one of the few law schools that offers first-year electives.

Stimulating and diverse courses—ranging from Justice and Rights to International Law—complement the core curriculum and broaden the first-year academic experience.

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VILLANOVA LAW FACULTY

Educators,

Professor Tuan Samahon

Villanova Law faculty members don’t just teach the law; they shape it.

Our professors have advised a U.S. president on domestic policy issues, arbitrated treaties between multinational companies and governments, testified before U.S. Senate Subcommittees and served as a consultant to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking.

J. Richard Harvey Jr., Distinguished Professor of Practice, testifies before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

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Innovators, Mentors, Scholars At the core of a great law school is an outstanding faculty, and Villanova Law professors are some of the most innovative minds in legal education. Our 52-member faculty is composed of internationally renowned scholars, dedicated educators and successful practitioners. Their work is published in leading law reviews and cited in U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

Faculty members bring to the classroom their expertise and passion for the law, as well as a commitment to each and every student. At Villanova, students and professors are partners in learning. You will find open-door policies and close mentoring relationships are the norm. Villanova professors make your education their first priority.

Only at NOVA At the start of your first year at Villanova Law, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who can provide guidance on course selections, career opportunities and other professional topics.

Professor Michele Pistone and Tiera Fletcher ’14

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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Clinics • Advanced Advocacy Clinic • Civil Justice Clinic • Clinic for Asylum, Refugee and Emigrant Services (CARES) • Clinic for Law and Entrepreneurship • Farmworker Legal Aid Clinic • Federal Tax Clinic • Interdisciplinary Mental and Physical Health Law Clinic

Prac

You learn in a clinical experience there is no such thing as nice, neat packages of facts. Regular classes can’t prepare you for the most complex parts of fact-gathering: interviewing clients, handling conflicts and tracking down witnesses. The clinical experience is not easy, and it is sometimes frustrating, but it is the best preparation for real lawyering.

—Jennifer Herrmann ’08

Ed Liva ’10 and Amanda Lavis ’10 participate in a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee externship.

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tice

Makes Perfect

Experiencing the law at work—through an extensive array of clinics, externships and trial advocacy opportunities—brings learning to life.

In the study of law there is no substitute for real-world experience. We believe that a law school should provide a well-rounded legal education that balances theory with hands-on opportunities to practice the craft of lawyering.

Clinical Programs Why wait until graduation to gain practical experience? Villanova Law’s seven dynamic clinical courses provide invaluable, supervised practice experience. Under the guidance of full-time faculty, you become the primary advocate, counselor and litigator—representing disadvantaged clients who are facing serious legal issues in which basic human needs are often at stake. The experience is both challenging and rewarding, and often serves as the highlight of students’ legal education.

Externships Villanova Law’s Externship Program bridges the gap between classroom instruction and workplace application. Each year, more than 150 students earn academic credit while working with judges, federal agencies, multinational corporations, district attorneys, public defenders and public interest organizations. Students develop essential lawyering skills, expand their networks, enhance their professional judgment and prepare to excel as Villanova lawyers.

Trial Advocacy Preparing law students to become courtroom-ready advocates is the cornerstone of Villanova Law’s Trial Advocacy program. Through comprehensive coursework and competition experience, you will learn the essential elements of trial practice: fact analysis, pretrial case preparation, persuasive speech, witness examination and evidence. Seasoned attorneys, experienced court judges and even a theater professor will work with you and challenge you to think, communicate and execute like a trial lawyer.

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CENTERS AND INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Centers of

Excellence

Through our new interdisciplinary Centers of Excellence, Villanova Law School solidifies and enhances its signature strengths while influencing practice and legal education in important areas of the law.

• The Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law is one of a handful of sports law institutes in the United States. Under the leadership of highly respected and accomplished voices in the industry, the Center’s programs explore sports-related legal matters, as well as business and topical issues.

• The Center for Law, Entrepreneurship and Innovation gives students real-world experience in business and law. Innovative courses help students develop key business competencies—finance, accounting, project management and strategic planning. The Center’s clinic offers the opportunity to hone your skills by providing legal services to start-up ventures and budding entrepreneurs.

Only at NOVA The Moorad Center offers hands-on opportunities to experience sports law in the field. The NFL, the Philadelphia Flyers, Wasserman Media Group and the Philadelphia Eagles are among the high-profile organizations that have welcomed Villanova Law students as interns.

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Former pro athletes Keith Primeau and Brian Westbrook discuss concussion awareness and prevention at the 2013 Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal Symposium.

International Opportunities As legal practice becomes increasingly transnational, lawyers face issues of international law regardless of their specialities. Whether you plan to pursue a career in international law, or you are interested in a basic understanding of that practice area, Villanova University School of Law offers a comprehensive program that prepares you for the global marketplace.

The International and Comparative Law Program at Villanova trains students to be fluent in multiple legal systems. The broad curriculum includes traditional courses, as well as two international law clinics in which students represent real clients faced with real legal issues.

In addition to the diverse international and comparative law courses offered during the academic year, Villanova offers two distinctive international opportunities—our summer program in Rome and our International Studies JD/LLM programs.

• Rome Summer Program: Participating students can earn six credits studying international and comparative law while exploring the historical, cultural and culinary delights of the Eternal City. Courses are designed to expose students to international perspectives while fostering a deeper understanding of their own legal culture.

• International Studies Dual-Degree Program: Offers students the opportunity to earn both a Villanova Law JD and an LLM (Master’s Degree in Law) from a host school abroad. Students spend their first two years at Villanova completing core requirements, and their third year at the host school earning their LLM degree. Partner schools include Birkbeck College of the University of London, University of Edinburgh, Leiden University in The Netherlands, City University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore.

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LEGAL WRITING

Only at NOVA Villanova is one of the only law schools that employs a full-time Legal Writing Specialist.

The Specialist provides one-on-one instruction and conducts group workshops on legal writing, analysis and the conventions of legal style. This innovative approach to legal writing education furthers our commitment that you will be practice-ready on day one.

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The

Write

Stuff

We know that communication is the cornerstone of a legal career. Employers rate it as the most important skill in new hires. That’s why we extended our already strong emphasis on legal writing skills to include six semesters of writing instruction as a requirement for all students.

Villanova’s Duane Morris LLP Legal Writing Program provides career-oriented preparation and treats students like first-year associates. In addition to traditional memo and brief writing, students manage simulated professional assignments that incorporate tactical thinking, time management and strategic decision-making. Villanova students learn how to think like a lawyer and write like one, too. We teach the writing skills you need to go right to work as an attorney and be prepared your first day on the job.

Journals Villanova students can earn academic credit while gaining practical experience in legal writing, editing and scholarship by participating in one of four scholarly journals: • Villanova Law Review • Environmental Law Journal • Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal • Journal of Catholic Social Thought

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Makin

The best thing about the Academic Success Office at Villanova Law is that it truly has people dedicated to seeing students succeed. Whether you need help with time management, academic skill development or career direction, the program has flexibility that provides students a unique experience that is based on their goals and needs. —Travis Nembhard ’13 12

g

The Grade Law school might be the most challenging academic experience you will ever encounter. At Villanova Law, we are committed to providing you all the guidance, support and resources you need. Whether you are looking for help briefing cases, managing your time or preparing for exams, the Office of Academic Success sponsors a variety of services to assure your success.

Stop by to discuss course selection, review academic performance or take advantage of one of our many programs, including study skills seminars, peer mentoring and Bar Exam preparation workshops.

Only at NOVA Villanova Law alumni excel upon graduation. Our graduates had an 88.97% first-time passage rate for the July 2012 Pennsylvania Bar Exam窶馬early six percentage points above the state average.

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CAREER STRATEGY

Your Futu

Focused On

Finding a job doesn’t magically happen when you graduate. Some of the most important groundwork is laid prior to commencement. At Villanova Law, we are committed to helping you find your footing, chart your course and advance your career.

As a student, you will have the support and guidance of Villanova’s four full-time career advisors—each a former practicing attorney or hiring director from a broad cross-section of legal practice and employment sectors. Our advisors know exactly what legal employers look for in new hires, which gives you an invaluable competitive edge. You will benefit from their behind-the-scenes knowledge of the legal industry and impressive professional network.

As an alum, you will find that our commitment to your career development extends far beyond graduation.

At Villanova, we have an alumni advisor dedicated to providing counseling and resources to help you achieve long-term career success and satisfaction.

Office of Career Strategy and Advancement • One-on-One Career Counseling • Resume and Cover Letter Review • Mock Interviews and Interactive Interview Training • Recruiting Events • Pro Bono Opportunities • Networking Opportunities • Professional Development Workshops and Panels • Research Resources

Jennifer Henfey ’99, Executive Director of Career Strategy and Advancement, and former hiring partner at Blank Rome LLP

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re

J. Gordon Cooney ’84, Managing Partner of the Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP Philadelphia office, and Eric Kim ’13

The National Law Journal named Villanova Law as ONE OF THE TOP LAW SCHOOLS that sends first-year associates to the NATION’S LARGEST AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS FIRMS.

Only at NOVA Every first-year student is paired with a group of alumni. These mentors will connect you to the legal community and help you define your personal goals as you make the transition from student to lawyer.

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YOUR FUTURE SUCCESS

Doug Gaston ’92, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Comcast Cable, and Spencer Curtis ’13

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Raising

The Bar

Since its inception, Villanova Law has nurtured the leadership skills of its students. The results of this commitment are extraordinary and best illustrated by our alumni—individuals who have gone on to successful careers in government, business and the community.

Villanova alumni distinguish themselves as leaders in nearly every practice setting—across the country and around the world. They are founding and managing partners at top law firms, and have helped create the International Criminal Court to prosecute war crimes. Villanova lawyers are representatives for the NFL Players Association and executives of major sports teams. You can find our graduates writing behind the scenes at CBS News and providing political commentary on air at MSNBC. They serve as President of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and Associate General Counsel at Teach for America.

And they lead—mayors, governors, Senators, members of Congress and U.S. ambassadors have started their careers at Villanova Law.

A degree from Villanova University School of Law launches careers at the most prestigious law firms, the country’s most successful businesses and the chambers of the highest courts. Where will your Villanova journey lead you?

President Obama flanked by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer David Chavern ’87 (left) and AFL–CIO President Richard Trumka ’74 (right).

17

ALUMNI

Alumni As a Villanova alum, you will join a tight-knit community of engaged global citizens whose connections only deepen upon graduation. Alumni recruit students, help students network with prospective employers, teach courses as members of our faculty and take an active role in the Law School.

Notable alumni include: Hon. Kelly A. Ayotte ’93 David C. Chavern ’87

J. Gordon Cooney Jr. ’84 Doug Gaston ’92 Hon. David F. Girard-diCarlo ’73

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Managing Partner of the Philadelphia Office, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Comcast Cable Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Austria

Michael R. Haswell ’97

Director of Global Business (Ads and Shopping), Commerce, Google Inc.

Michael J. Holston ’89

Executive Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Merck & Co. Inc.

Sara Lee Keller ’81 Maryfrances Metrick ’85 Jeffrey S. Moorad ’81 Jeffrey A. Pott ’90

Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Clear Channel Outdoor Senior Managing Director, Centerbridge Partners Chairman/CEO, Moorad Sports Partners General Counsel, AstraZeneca

Hon. Edward G. Rendell ’68

Former Governor of Pennsylvania and former Mayor of Philadelphia

Hon. Marjorie O. Rendell ’73

Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Joseph T. Sebastianelli ’71 Richard L. Trumka ’74 Paul A. Tufano ’86

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U.S. Senator, New Hampshire

President and CEO, Jefferson Health Systems President, AFL-CIO (Washington, D.C.) Executive Vice President, General Counsel and President of Government Markets, Independence Blue Cross (Philadelphia, P.A.); Former General Counsel of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Charles Widger ’73

Founder and Executive Chairman, Brinker Capital

David E. Worby ’76

Founder and Senior Partner, Worby Groner Edelman LLP; Trial lawyer known for advocacy on behalf of 9/11 “Ground Zero” workers

Senator Kelly Ayotte (R–N.H.) addresses the Class of 2011.

David Worby with Basil Joy ’13

At Villanova, which provides an education in the Augustinian tradition, students live and learn in a community that aims to be united in ‘heart and mind.’ That’s what passion is all about—finding that harmony between following the natural direction of your abilities and listening carefully to what your intuition is telling you.

–Hon. Kelly Ayotte

Michael Holston

Hon. Edward Rendell and Jeffrey Moorad

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THE VILLANOVA DIFFERENCE

The Villanova

Differenc

Community As a student, you will discover that Villanova distinguishes itself not only by the quality of legal training delivered, but also by a strong sense of community. Our Augustinian Catholic tradition fosters a collegial and supportive atmosphere that starts in the classroom and extends throughout campus. Faculty and staff are approachable and available. Students are competitive without being cutthroat, regard each other as peers rather than rivals and form personal bonds that endure long after commencement. This is a law school where people work together and root for each other’s success.

Student Life Villanova is enriched by the scope of student organizations, activities and the community spirit that permeates student life. The diversity of our student population is reflected in the more than 40 political, religious, social and cultural organizations supported by the Student Bar Association. Villanova Law students are campus and community leaders, organizing scholarly lectures, multicultural programs and public service opportunities.

The University When you enroll at Villanova, you don’t just get an outstanding law school: You also gain membership to a nationally renowned university—and all of the intellectual, social and cultural benefits it has to offer.

I wanted a law school that values respect, service and practical lawyering skills. After visiting all of the schools I was seriously considering, I found that Villanova had all the traits I was looking for. The emphasis on community within the school and serving the community outside of the school made an impression on me. I wanted to be a part of the Villanova Law community and to become the kind of lawyer who embodies these values.

—Kayla Rowe ’13

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e

Dean Gotanda, faculty and students celebrate Villanova Law’s victory in the Dean’s Cup charity basketball game.

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LOCATION

Location, Locati

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

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Our alumni work at many of the region’s most prestigious corporations and law firms, including: • Aramark Corporation • Ballard Spahr LLP • Blank Rome LLP • Campbell Soup Company • Comcast Corporation • Cozen O’Connor • Dechert LLP • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP • Duane Morris LLP • DuPont • Fox Rothschild LLP • Independence Blue Cross • Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP • Pepper Hamilton LLP • Saul Ewing LLP

on,

Location Situated 12 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, Villanova University School of Law offers you the best of both worlds—a picturesque suburban location that is a short regional train ride away from one of the nation’s most dynamic cities. With a train stop just steps from the law school building, the City of Brotherly Love is only minutes away.

Philadelphia—the fifth largest city in the United States—is located conveniently in the middle of the Northeast Corridor, in close proximity to New York City (100 miles north) and Washington, D.C. (133 miles south). Home to some of the largest companies and most prestigious law firms in the nation, Philadelphia is one of the East Coast’s primary legal job markets, offering students access to externships, summer clerkships, pro bono work and post-graduate careers. The Villanova Law presence is strong in the Philadelphia region, with an active alumni network ready to welcome and mentor you as you find your place in the law.

Philadelphia is an inspiring place to study and practice law. It is also an amazing place to live.

Artistic, cultural, culinary and environmental treasures abound in the city and surrounding suburbs.

The National Jurist ranks Philadelphia as one of the top 10 “Best Cities for Young Attorneys.”

Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

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ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

Admissions

and Fina

Villanova University School of Law is a close-knit, broadly diverse and intellectually passionate community. The Admissions Committee reviews each application holistically, paying particular attention to a record of leadership, academic triumph and personal growth. By enrolling a class of ambitious yet supportive individuals, we look to build a cohort capable of shaping the future of the legal profession—and of serving those in need.

Application Requirements • A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from an accredited college or university • Application submitted electronically via the Law School Admission Council • Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) score • LSAC Credential Assembly Services (CAS) Report • Personal statement • Resume • $75 application fee • At least one letter of recommendation In addition to these requirements, you will be able to complete optional essays to supplement your application.

Deadlines and Decisions Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. The Office of Admissions evaluates applications and informs candidates of admission decisions on a continuous basis over several months, beginning in late fall and extending to mid-summer. The deadline to apply is April 1.

For more information about the application process, to review optional essays and to learn more about our invitational interview program, please visit www.law.villanova.edu/apply.

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ncial Aid

For detailed information about tuition and financial aid opportunities, please visit www.law.villanova.edu/financialaid.

Funding Your Villanova Law Education A first-rate legal education is a significant investment, and Villanova Law is committed to making the expense manageable. Beginning in the fall of 2013, tuition rates will be locked for each entering class. For example, the Class of 2016 will not see a tuition rate increase during their time at Villanova University School of Law. Through grants, loans and scholarships, Villanova Law seeks to make your education affordable. Financial assistance is offered on the basis of financial need and/or merit.

Tuition and Costs The cost of education for purposes of determining financial need includes actual costs for tuition and fees, and reasonable estimated costs for such items as rent and food, books and other living expenses. For

Entering Class Profile (Fall 2012): Total Number of Applicants: 2,332 Total Enrolled: 220 In–state: 49% Out-of-state: 51% Women: 49% Men: 51%

2013–2014, the nine-month budget for living off-campus is $64,069 and for living with parents/relatives is $53,269.

Types of Financial Aid • Merit and Need-Based Scholarships • Federal Perkins Loan • Federal Direct Stafford Loans

Students of Color: 17% Average Age: 23 Age Range: 21–48 States Represented: 27 Undergraduate Schools Represented: 121 Median GPA: 3.51 Median LSAT: 158

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan • Federal Work-Study 25

Villanova University School of Law 299 North Spring Mill Road Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085 610.519.7000 www.law.villanova.edu