Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic

Position Summary

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law seeks an outstanding lawyer-educator to direct and teach its Intellectual Property Law Clinic as a Visiting Assistant Professor during the 2026-27 academic year. The position is a 12-month, visiting position which will begin during the summer of 2026 with the possibility of a continuing appointment thereafter.

The IP Clinic provides direct representation to entrepreneurs, businesses, and social ventures consistent with the mission of the clinic, serving client needs in a wide range of intellectual property acquisition, retention, and licensing. Areas of practice may include patent, trademark, copyright and trade secrets, including supervision of U.S. P.T.O. certified students engaged in patent and trademark prosecution.

The mission of the Villanova Clinical Program is to teach law students to become competent, reflective, ethical, and creative lawyers committed to seeking justice. Through our teaching and advocacy, we pursue social justice with our clients and surrounding communities by challenging systemic racism, combating inequality, and fostering social change.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach clinic seminar focused on lawyering skills, professional development, and ethical practice, employing clinical teaching methods.
• Supervise all aspects of student practice while employing clinical teaching pedagogy and serve as the attorney of record in Clinic cases when required by the rules of the relevant jurisdiction.
• Oversee all aspects of administration of the IP Clinic, including but not limited to conducting outreach to clients, selecting matters, reporting to funding sources, and maintaining files.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor degree is required.
• Pennsylvania bar membership (or an ability to waive into the Pennsylvania bar) is required.
• Relevant legal practice experience is required.
• Expertise in substantive areas of law relevant to representing and advising clients in a variety of intellectual property acquisition, retention, and licensing needs is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Patent Bar membership is preferred.
• Prior clinical teaching experience or experience supervising law students is preferred.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, clinical teaching methodology, including an ability to work both collaboratively and independently is preferred.