草榴社区

Week of 31 March 2025

Events

Announcements

Kudos

Resources

EVENTS

IP Guest Speaker

Monday, March 31, 6-8pm in classroom 302

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Kevin Rivette, one of the world鈥檚 top patent strategists, will speak at the Charles Widger School of Law. This event will be in-person and is hosted by the IP Law Students Association along with Adjunct Professors Virmani and O鈥橫alley, who teach IP Licensing & Strategy. Light refreshments will be served and Kevin will have a short Q&A session following his talk, in which he intends to cover three main case studies, all of which have been significant events in the patent licensing community:

Kevin is a founding partner of the Sherpa Technology Group, which develops patent strategies for startup to Fortune 10 companies. Prior to founding Sherpa Technology Group, he was the Vice President of IP Strategy for IBM and set up the worldwide IP practice for The Boston Consulting Group. He is the former Chairman of the USPTO oversight committee and a former member of the Board of Directors at Tessera Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSRA). 

Kevin is the author of Rembrandts in the Attic, a book on Patent Strategy published by HBS. Further, he founded Aurigen Systems, an IP analytics firm acquired by Derwent, as well as ISI a telephony software company. In 2008, Kevin was named to the IP Hall of Fame by Intellectual Asset Management, in 2009 was named one of 鈥淭he World鈥檚 Leading IP Strategists鈥�, and in 2014 was named to the National Law Journal鈥檚 inaugural list of IP 鈥淭railblazers and Pioneers鈥�. He is a registered patent attorney. In addition, Kevin has spoken at numerous conferences worldwide including the World Economic Forum in Davos.

More information on Kevin:

 (around minute 2:09)

We look forward to your attendance at this exciting event, and we thank Volpe Koenig for its sponsorship.

Benebone presents Social Media Strategies: Content Strategy, Engagement and Advertising

Wednesday, April 2, 12:30-1:15pm via Zoom

Featuring:

• Peter Toolan, CEO
• John Demer, Head of Social Media
• Nate Harceg, Chief Growth Officer

Hosted by Benebone and co-sponsored by the John F. Scarpa Center for Entrepreneurship and Law. Join by visiting bit.ly/BeneboneSocialMedia

Library Writer鈥檚 Chat: Robert Torpey 鈥�27

Wednesday, April 2, 12:30pm in the Scarpa Center

Join us for a discussion with student author Robert Torpey 鈥�27! Robert has written for The Capital Letter, was the managing editor of The Street Sheet and has written business pieces for a venture capital firm, a senior community developer, and was a ghost writer for Blackstone and JP Morgan. You can check out his work . Come and join us while we ask Robert about his experiences, including his writing process, and advice he may have for aspiring authors. Lunch will be provided.

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.

DEI Listening Session

Wednesday, April 2, at 3:45pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg 鈥�66 Classroom (Room 202)

Please join members of the DEI Committee for a second listening session. Similar to the last session, the goal is to provide the community with an opportunity to discuss perspectives and concerns regarding the recent executive orders and, additionally, recent events regarding impacts on the courts and law firms. We will also brainstorm and discuss ways you can get involved.

Italian Fashion vs. American Dream

Thursday, April 3, 4:30-5:30pm in the Laurence E. Hirsch 鈥�71 Classroom (Room 101)

The Scarpa Center invites you to join us for an engaging talk featuring Professor Nicola Guerini, fashion entrepreneur, Dean and Director-General of the Italian Institute of Fashion Management. A networking reception will follow. This event is free, open to all, and ACS approved. Co-sponsored by the Italian Studies Program. Please reach out to MarySheila McDonald with any questions.

2025 Ida B. Wells Lecture: Dorothy E. Roberts, JD

Thursday, April 3, 5pm in the Speaker鈥檚 Corner, Falvey Library

Dorothy E. Roberts is the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law & Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, with joint appointments in the Departments of Africana Studies and Sociology and the Law School, where she is the inaugural Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights. Professor Roberts will discuss how law and public policy have impacted urgent social justice issues in reproductive justice, policing, and family regulation. This event is co-sponsored by the Law Library.

10th Annual Katherine Del Raso Fashion Law Symposium

Friday, April 4, 9:30am-2pm in the Blank Rome LLP Classroom (Room 102)

This year鈥檚 Fashion Law Symposium will provide a comprehensive exploration of the legal and business frameworks that continue to shape the fashion industry. In 2025, the retail and fashion industries are bracing for a transformative year heavily influenced by the policies of a new administration. These policies pose significant changes, particularly in trade, tariffs, privacy, and labor. Legal professionals and industry leaders will share their insights on several hot topics, including raising capital, tariffs, artificial intelligence, intellectual property protection, M&A trends, ESG concerns, influencer culture, employment and more. Following the symposium, there will be a networking hour and light refreshments in the Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo 鈥�73 and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo 鈥�74 Student Lounge. For further information, please visit the event page.

47th Annual Donald A. Giannella Memorial Lecture

Monday, April 7, 4-5pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg 鈥�66 Commons

The Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy welcomes Adam Kirsch, editor of the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 Weekend Review, for a discussion of his recent book, 鈥淥n Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence, and Justice.鈥� Kirsch examines how the concept of settler colonialism emerged in the context of North American and Australian history and how it is being applied to Israel in contemporary debate. He examines the sources of its appeal and analyzes how it can lead to new injustices today. Moderated by Chaim Saiman, professor of law and chair in Jewish law. A reception and book signing will take place immediately following the lecture in the Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo 鈥�73 and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo 鈥�74 Student Lounge. For further information, please visit the event page.

How Can 12-step Programs Help Your Clients? A Case Study: Alcoholic Clients and Alcoholics Anonymous

Tuesday, April 8, 12:20-1:30pm in the Minority Alumni Society Classroom (Room 103)

Many attorneys involved in criminal law, family law, and beyond will encounter clients struggling with seemingly hopeless alcoholism and addiction. There are solutions. AA is inclusive, self-governing, entirely self-supporting through voluntary contributions, currently connected to our legal system through judicial decision-making, and producing statistically significant results for participants compared to other treatments. This event is an opportunity to learn more about how this kind of recovery works. Sponsored by the Student Mental Health Society and Family Law Society. Lunch will be provided.

The Ethics and Empirics of Engineering Humanity Speaker Series

Wednesday, April 9, 4:45鈥�5:50pm in the Minority Alumni Society Classroom (Room 103)

Towards Impartial Machines: Empiricist Moral Psychology for Machine Learning Research
Cameron Buckner, Professor and Donald F. Cronin Endowed Chair in the Humanities, University of Florida

This interdisciplinary speaker series will cover ethical, philosophical and empirical issues surrounding the engineering of artificial and human intelligence. Those include the dynamic interactions between AI and HI, how human-computer-interfaces affect humanity, how humans outsource thinking to computers and other related technologies, how digital technologies transform the production, dissemination and validation of knowledge and how ethical values translate into technological and social decisions that affect who we are and who we鈥檙e capable of being.

Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal Symposium

Friday, April 11, 9-1pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg 鈥�66 Commons

The 2025 Moorad Symposium will explore the rapidly changing landscape of sports investing and the evolution of name, image and likeness (NIL). Industry experts will examine key financing trends in the new asset class of sports investment. College athletics experts and lawyers will discuss the seismic impact of the House v. NCAA settlement on college sports.

The Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board has approved this event for 3 Substantive CLE credits. Please note the event is open for general admission, but registration is required for CLE credit. For further information please visit the event page.

草榴社区 Law School Blood Drive

Wednesday, April 16, 12-5pm in the Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo 鈥�73 and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo 鈥�74 Student Lounge

Help save lives by donating blood to the 草榴社区 Law School Blood Drive. Get a classic 鈥淭humbs Up for Saving Lives鈥� (while supplies last) when you donate, and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5k gift card. !

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congrats to this Week鈥檚 Winner and Keep Voting in the 草榴社区 Law Library鈥檚 Skirmish of the Services 2025!

Thanks to all who voted for their favorite library services in the third round of the Skirmish of Services 2025! And congratulations to Lauren Walsh, winner of this round's prize, a 草榴社区 Pennant! We are down to the final two services, as  this week in our Championship round. This week's prize is a 草榴社区 basketball, and remember each weekly vote gives you another chance to win the grand prize, a private room taco party for you and your friends during the reading period! Visit the  each week to learn more and submit your votes! The final week鈥檚 winner and the grand prize winner will be announced live at noon on Tuesday, April 8 in the Commons! Pizza will be served!

Graduation Awards: Call for Nominations

Each year, the faculty votes to designate the recipients of four graduation awards: the Hyman-Goodman Award, the Herman Mitchell Schwartz Award, the Arthur J. Kania Award, and the Scholarship & Leadership Award (previously designated as the ALI CLE Scholarship and Leadership Award). Each of these awards is described in more detail below.   

The Academic Affairs Committee solicits nominations for these awards and makes recommendations to the faculty.  

The Academic Affairs Committee invites the entire 草榴社区 Law School community鈥攆aculty, staff, and students鈥攖o nominate 3L students for these awards. While the final decisions rest with the faculty, all nominations will be carefully considered. To submit a nomination, please click on this Nomination .

The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 18th.

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS:

THE HYMAN-GOODMAN AWARD is presented annually to the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has done the most for the graduates鈥� class and the School of Law through both academic and extracurricular achievement.  The award was established by the family of Myron A. Hyman, Esq., Class of 1964.

THE HERMAN MITCHELL SCHWARTZ AWARD is presented annually to the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has contributed the most to the achievement of equality of opportunity and treatment for women, either within the School of Law, in the legal profession, or in society at large.  The award was given by Shirley Schwartz Weisman, Class of 鈥�71, in memory of her father.

THE ARTHUR J. KANIA AWARD is presented annually to the graduating student who, in the judgment of the faculty, best demonstrates the commitment to professional ethics and integrity exemplified by the life and career of Arthur J. Kania.  The award was established by Connie Girard-diCarlo, Class of 1974, in honor of Art Kania.

THE SCHOLARSHIP & LEADERSHIP AWARD is presented annually to the graduating student who, in the judgment of the faculty, best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership.

We are looking forward to reviewing your nominations!!

Gazette Submissions

Please send items for next week鈥檚 Gavel Gazette to gavelgazette@law.villanova.edu by 3pm on Friday. 

KUDOS

Winners of the Internal Scarpa Corporate Negotiation Competition

On March 14th, 40 students competed in our 3rd annual internal Scarpa Corporate Negotiation Competition!

Congratulations to the winners, 1Ls Alex Godinar and Michaela Devlin! 

Kudos to finalists- Luisa Peralta Martinez, Jacquelyn Plouffe, Nicole Ged, Francesca Capozzi, Lance Perlow, and Tyler Lynch.

We are grateful for the leadership of Scarpa Team co-chairs Kathryn Kane and Emilie Mooney, as well as the negotiation team members and Scarpa Fellows who helped with the judging rounds.

Alex and Michaela will join the Scarpa Negotiation Team next year, and more information about applying for the team will be sent in early summer.

More Moot Court Success 鈥� Employment Law Team

The Moot Court Board is excited to share the success of our Employment Law Team over the second weekend of spring break! March 7-8, 3L member Kelly Gurcsik and 2L member Brianna Cooper participated in the Nell Hennessy Employment Law Moot Court Competition hosted by Catholic University in Washington DC. The duo argued two very difficult issues related to ERISA benefits against a field of 15 competitive teams from 10 other schools and made it look easy!

After four rounds of competition across two days, the pair finished as SEMIFINALISTS tied for THIRD PLACE OVERALL! During their fantastic run, they faced off against programs including William and Mary, Lewis and Clark University, and George Washington University. The duo breezed through preliminary rounds, the Round of Twelve, and Quarterfinals where they received glowing feedback from seasoned ERISA litigators. Ultimately, they fell in the semifinals to the eventual second-place finishers.

We are so proud of these talented ladies for their OUTSTANDING performance, and we hope that you will join us in congratulating them on this wonderful accomplishment!

We'd also like to thank Kelly and Brianna鈥檚 3L Coach, Daniel Rooney, for the time and hard work he put towards helping these ladies prepare!

Congratulations again to Kelly and Brianna!

RESOURCES

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.

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. 

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

草榴社区 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 草榴社区 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.