Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic

Duties and Responsibilities

Teach clinic seminar focused on lawyering skills, professional development, and ethical practice, employing clinical teaching methods.
Serve as the attorney of record in Clinic cases when required by the rules of the relevant jurisdiction.
Supervise all aspects of student practice while employing clinical teaching pedagogy.

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.

Posting Details

| Posting Number: | 20260039F | |---|---| | Position Title: | Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic | | Position Type: | Faculty | | Location: | Villanova, PA | | Recruitment Type: | Internal/External Applicants | | Work Schedule: | full-time/12-months | | Department: | 241-Law School Instruction | | 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. Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values. | | Duties and Responsibilities: | Teach clinic seminar focused on lawyering skills, professional development, and ethical practice, employing clinical teaching methods.
Serve as the attorney of record in Clinic cases when required by the rules of the relevant jurisdiction.
Supervise all aspects of student practice while employing clinical teaching pedagogy.

Special Message to Applicants

All applications are to include:
- Application cover letter
- Current and complete curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- List of 3 references (we will contact the references for finalists only)
- Unofficial academic transcripts. Official transcripts will be required from finalists only.
- Finalists will be required to submit a statement on their contributions to the University Mission and Enduring Commitments. Mission Statement | Villanova University

References Needed

| Minimum Number of References Needed | 3 | |---|---| | Maximum Number of References Needed | 3 |

Documents needed to complete your application:

• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Transcripts
• Summary of Teaching Evaluations
• Writing Sample/Publications
• Statement of Contribution to Mission
• Other Document