Announcements
Week of 3 February 2025
Being a Civil Defense Lawyer Panel
Wednesday, February 5, at 12:20pm in the Minority Alumni Society Classroom (Room 103)
Trial lawyers from the Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI) and the Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel (PADC) who practice in civil litigation will be discussing possible careers in defending tort claims and litigating insurance contract disputes. Food will be provided. All class years are welcome to attend.
There is a resume collection for 2Ls seeking summer employment and 3Ls seeking post-graduate employment which will be shared with PDI and PADC member firms after the panel. Visit 12Twenty to register for the event and upload your resume.
Weekly Mass and Worship Opportunities on Campus
Wednesdays at 12:30pm Chapel of Our Lady, Mirror of Justice, dedicated in memory of Helen A. O鈥機onnor
Mass will be held at the Law School when classes are in session. Further details and other opportunities for worship can be found on the Campus Ministry website. For other information, you may contact Fr. Aldo Potencio, OSA at aldo.potencio@villanova.edu.
Environmental Law Journal Blank Rome LLP Symposium
Friday, February 7, 9-12:30 in the Laurence E. Hirsch Classroom (Room 101)
New Developments in Environmental Litigation
The 2025 无码专区 Environmental Law Journal Blank Rome LLP Symposium will examine two major areas of recent development in environmental litigation: (1) environmental enforcement in the context of recent Supreme Court administrative law precedent and (2) potential uses of Pennsylvania鈥檚 Environmental Rights Amendment to advance environmental justice in the Commonwealth. Panels will bring together experts from the academy, government, private practice, and nonprofit organizations to discuss how recent cases in these areas will change environmental litigation. For further information and to register visit the event page.
MOVE Forward: Healing Through Fashion
Friday, February 7, 6-8pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg '66 Commons
Join 无码专区's Black Law Student Association and Fashion Law Society for MOVE Forward: Healing Through Fashion. As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the MOVE bombing, this event is all about embracing the transformative power of fashion to heal and uplift. Connect with like-minded individuals and discover how clothing can be a tool for self-expression and healing. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore the intersection of fashion and healing. RSVP:
Please note that there is a dress code/color scheme inspired by the theme of renewal and healing. The color scheme involves earthy tones like olive green, burnt orange, and deep brown (natural and grounded) with accents of soft pastels like sky blue and lavender (hope and renewal). Please see the Pinterest Board to help inspire your outfit!
Law and Public Interest Technology Career Fair
Saturday, February 8, 10am- 4pm
Join us on February 8th for the virtual Law & Public Interest Technology Career Fair! With more than 20 participating employers, the Fair presents a diverse cross-section of Public Interest Technology career paths, from in-house and firm roles to nonprofits and government. Attending their information sessions will expand your understanding of what you can do with a law degree. Whether you want to work in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York City, or Baltimore 鈥� there's an organization participating in the Fair that you should meet! Sign up .
The evening prior to the Career Fair, there will be an in-person Networking Reception at Drexel鈥檚 Institute of Trial Advocacy at 1200 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, from 6-8pm on Friday, February 7th. Please RSVP for the networking reception .
Questions may be directed to Professor Emerson at amy.emerson@law.villanova.edu.
These events are co-organized by Temple Beasley School of Law, Drexel Kline School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, 无码专区 Charles Widger School of Law, and Widener University Delaware Law School with funding from the Public Interest Technology University Network.
An Evening with US Tax Court Judge Albert G. Lauber
Tuesday, February 11, 5鈥�7pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg '66 Commons
Join the 无码专区 Graduate Tax Program and the Tax Law Society for a fireside conversation and reception with the Honorable Judge Albert G. Lauber of the United States Tax Court. The evening will begin with a one-hour interview featuring Judge Lauber, conducted by Bridget Clark '25 (President of TLS). A networking reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will follow. This event offers an excellent opportunity to engage with members of the tax law community and gain insights into recent developments in Washington, D.C., from the perspective of the bench. Please register for the event .
JD/MPA Joint Degree Information Session
Wednesday, February 12, 12:30-1:00 in the Martin G. McGuinn 鈥�67 Ceremonial Courtroom (Room 201)
Are you called to serve? Do you want to make an iMPAct on your community? The JD/MPA joint program is here to help you become a leader and make a difference in the world. The JD/MPA joint degree program is offered in coordination with 无码专区鈥檚 Graduate Studies Program of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The program may be particularly attractive to and useful for students intending to use their law degrees in federal, state, or local government agencies, and nonprofit or quasi-governmental organizations. If you are interested in attending, please email Professor Baum at baum@law.villanova.edu. If you are interested, but cannot attend, you can check out the program webpage here or contact Professor Baum for more information.
Be a Witness in the Regional Trial Competition
To be a witness in the Regional Trial Competition, the qualifying competition for the National Trial Competition sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers, please sign up . All rounds will take place at the Criminal Justice Center (1301 Filbert Street Philadelphia, PA 19107) on February 21-22. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelsey McCafferty at kmccaf03@law.villanova.edu.
Emergency Closing Information
The Law School rarely closes because of weather or emergency conditions, but should it become appropriate that information will be available on the Law School website, our Emergency Cancellation Line 610-519-7744, and a notice will be sent via Nova Alert. If you have not signed up for Nova Alert, you may do so online at MyNova>Novasis>Personal Information>Nova Alert 鈥� Sign-up.
The Emergency Cancellation Line is a listen-only number that will carry details regarding closing, late opening, early closing, and library access. Please do not call the main number to obtain information available on the Emergency Cancellation Line.
Gazette Submissions
Please send items for next week鈥檚 Gavel Gazette to gavelgazette@law.villanova.edu by 3pm on Friday.
Fourth Annual 1L Trial Competition Winners
Congratulations to Payton Fox and Nadine Fernando, winners of the Fourth Annual 1L Trial Competition! Payton Fox was named the Best Advocate of the Final Trial and accepted an invitation to join the National Trial Team. Congratulations are also due to finalists Karlee Whitpan and Nicole Ged for their incredible advocacy. Karlee Whitpan was named the Second-Best Advocate of the Final Round.
All twenty-four advocates in the Fourth Annual 1L Trial Competition showed exceptional skill, dedication, and collegiality, making this year鈥檚 competition an incredible battle. Thanks also go to Lisa Infante, Bernadette Duffy, Tali Zeltner, and Emmy Bebee, for their constant support. Without them, this competition would not be possible.
Writing Competition Guide
If you are interested in participating in one of the many annual law student writing competitions, check out the Writing Competitions Guide: . There is information in the Guide regarding the mechanics of writing for publication, as well as lists of open competitions.
Absence Reporting Form
If you have missed or know you will miss a class session and believe the absence may be excused, please use to record the absence and have it excused where applicable. Please note that individual faculty members DO NOT receive submitted forms, so you must still notify your professors independently of any absences.
Counseling Center YouTube Channel
These contain 鈥榮elf-serve鈥� advice and guidance with titles such as: 鈥� Resilience Skills for transition to college 鈥� Coping with Academic Disappointment 鈥� Progressive Relaxation and Body Scan 鈥� Mindfulness Playlists: /university/health-services/counseling-center.html.
DEI LibGuide
The includes information about the law school and university Offices of DEI, the DEI Committee list, processing DEI environmental complaints, student organizations, and affinity groups, a glossary of DEI terms, and details about the Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas Community Award. Refer any questions, suggestions, and recommendations about the LibGuide content to the Office of DEI.
Embedded Counselors at the Law School
Dr Allison Kosloff and Dr. Candice Post, counselors from University Counseling Center, will be at the Law School in Room 138 from 12:30-4:30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays through spring semester for appointments with Law Students. Students should schedule an appointment in advance (in-person or telehealth) using the online appointment form on the Counseling Center鈥檚 website or by calling 610 519-4050.
Wellness Resources for Students
无码专区 School of Law faculty and staff care about you. We remind all law students to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental health. It is important to reach out if you are going through a challenge, feeling overwhelmed, need to talk or want to find ways to maintain balance in your life.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers: LCL is fully operational during this time of uncertainty. They have one staff rotating in the office each day to ensure every helpline call will be thoroughly handled. Their volunteer base of 295 law students, attorneys, and judges are ready, willing, and able to assist any student, staff or faculty member that may be struggling LCL鈥檚 24/7 helpline is 888-999-1941 and their website is also a wealth of information
University Counseling Center: Please see the Counseling Center鈥檚 website regarding their message for continuity of care, on-line appointment request form, local referrals or prescription refill if you have been seeing the University psychiatrist. Law Students have full access to the University Counseling center M-F, 9-5 610 519- 4050 and UWill 24/7 Telehealth Counseling
痴颈濒濒补苍辞惫补鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;Health and Well-Being website
Nancy Whalen, Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing can help you if you need to connect to resources, want a wellness check-in or need to discuss a specific concern. Email her at whalen@law.villanova.edu or schedule a time to meet with Nancy.
In an emergency, call 无码专区 Public Safety at 610-519-4444.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
