Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

On Thursday, June 4, the Villanova University Graduate Tax Program hosted its Fourth Annual State and Local Tax (SALT) Forum. Experts gathered to explore the complex relationship between federal law and state and local taxation.

“I am going to miss the professors and administrative faculty and staff that have made my law school experience so memorable. I have found true mentors here that I know I can turn to as I proceed through my legal career.” Elizabeth Ellick ’26, vice president of the Student Bar Association, president of the Jewish Law Student Association, student works editor of the Villanova Law Review, and extern at the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, reflects on her time at Villanova Law.

Read more responses from the class of 2026 in our Ask the Grad feature: https://bit.ly/3PxKr5n

Andrew Brandt, professor of practice and executive director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law, recently sat down with Awful Announcing to discuss the ever-changing world of sports and business, as well as his forthcoming memoir, “Smarter About Sports: My Life Navigating Athletes, Agents, Media and the Business of the NFL.”

🔗 https://bit.ly/4uUqQvM

“I'm most excited to practice litigation and continue to gain hands-on experience. Villanova Law fostered my academic and professional growth in health law. During the summer after my first year, I was an in-house legal intern at Griffin Hospital in Connecticut, where I was mentored by Nancy Marini Esq. She inspired me to complete the health law concentration under the guidance of Professor Ana Santos Rutschman, participate in two semesters of the Health Law Clinic and serve as a president of the Health Law Society. Spending the summer after my second year at Marshall Dennehey, PC solidified my interest in practicing health law. It is a privilege to learn from my supervisor, Donna Modestine, Esq., and I'm excited to return to Marshall Dennehey and practice healthcare civil defense litigation.”

Sharing what she’s looking forward to most in her next chapter for this year’s Ask the Grad feature is Victoria Tara ’26, president of the Health Law Society, vice chair of the Honor Board and vice president of the Fashion Law Society.

Read more from our recent grads: https://bit.ly/3PxKr5n

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Villanova Law Alumni Awards! Each year, we honor alumni who have distinguished themselves with outstanding professional and personal achievements and have dedicated their time and service to Villanova Law and their communities.
Our website has more information about the awards and the form to nominate yourself or a fellow alum. Nominations must be submitted by June 26.
🔗 https://www.villanova.edu/university/law/about/alumni/stay-connected/service-awards.html

This academic year, Villanova Law competition teams, including the Moot Court Board, National Trial Team, Phi Alpha Delta, Scarpa Corporate Negotiation Team and Sports Law Negotiation Team, as well as a team of students at the 2026 USPTO National Patent Application Drafting Competition, showcased their skills at events across the US Read more about their accomplishments: https://bit.ly/4voghRl

Congratulations to the Villanova Law Student Bar Association 2025-26 End of Year Award recipients:
- Karen Spence Memorial Student Organizations of the Year: Walter A. Lucas Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP) & The Philosophical, Legal & Academic Thought Organization (PLATO)
- Faculty Member of the Year: Ann Juliano, Professor of Law
- Staff Members of the Year: Jennifer Jeffery, Paralegal in the Clinical Program, & Nancy Whalen, Director of Student Affairs & Wellbeing
- Adjunct Faculty Members (Fall 2025 Semester): Jeffrey Campolongo, Adjunct Professor, & Paul Figley, Visiting Professor
- Adjunct Faculty Member (Spring 2026 Semester): Hon. Gary Glazer, Adjunct Professor

Emma Bertsch ’26, editor-in-chief of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal, shared her advice for the incoming Villanova Law class:
“I’m a big tennis fan, and at Wimbledon’s Centre Court is a quote that reads, ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two imposters just the same.’ In an environment like law school, where pressure is a constant, and there’s always another accomplishment you’re working towards, it is a helpful and important reminder that neither success nor failure should define you, because both are fleeting compared to the person you become in the process.”
Read more from our annual Ask the Grad feature: https://www.villanova.edu/university/law/about/news-events/news/2026/0514.html

This month’s events include our annual SALT Forum, Reunion 2026 and the start of our alumni summer socials:

JUNE 4: Villanova University Graduate Tax Program's Fourth Annual State & Local Tax Forum | bit.ly/4vZ4FFw

JUNE 12-14: Reunion 2026 | bit.ly/4c7QuGp

JUNE 18: DC Alumni Summer Social | bit.ly/49bUQuf

JUNE 24: Boston Alumni Summer Social | bit.ly/3PA2vfb

“I have been at Villanova for seven years, and what has shaped my experience so pivotally on this campus is the people. I will miss everyone I made a connection with at Villanova Law and look forward to seeing my classmates in legal practice. Villanova Law embodies Villanova's commitment to Caritas, and I am very grateful to have been a part of such a unique and special community.”

Karina Zakarian ’26, president of the Environmental & Energy Law Society, co-president of the Middle Eastern Law Students Association and associate editor and staff writer of the Villanova Law Review, shares what she’s going to miss most about Villanova Law in her Ask the Grad feature.

Read more from the class of 2026: https://bit.ly/3PxKr5n