Ask the Grad: Class of 2024

Phoebe Cooper ’24
JD/LLM Candidate
Dean's Ambassador
Chair, Honor Board
3L Representative, Deans’ Mental Health & Law Student Well-being Advisory Council
Managing Editor of Online Publications and Technology, Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal

What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?

As an international student, I have had to make Villanova my home, and the friends I met have quickly become my family. I will miss the comfort of my home and family every day. I have had some of my best and worst moments at this school and I have no idea what I would have done without the incredible people Villanova gave me. Villanova's faculty, staff and students make this an extraordinary place, and I am so grateful to be leaving with lifelong friendships!

What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?

While in the moment, you lose sight of all the great things you have achieved over the last three years. I have been fortunate to serve on many great committees as an executive board member and representative. I served as the chair of the Honor Board; my comment was published in Volume 30, Issue 2 of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal, and, most recently, I was elected by my peers to give the student address at commencement. Law school has been challenging, but these moments have made it all worthwhile, and reflecting on it now, I am so proud of what I have achieved!

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?

I have been so fortunate to have been mentored by so many great people over the last three years, and I genuinely don't know what I would have done without my mentors’ guidance and support. I am so excited to return the favor and pay it forward, and I hope people know I am here as a resource for anything they need! I have loved being a part of this community, but I also remember how scared I was as a 1L coming from a different country with no one to fall back on - if I can ease that fear for just one person, my job is done!

What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2027?

Be true to yourself and remember the end goal! When I was younger, everyone told me this, but throughout law school, I realized this was misleading because there are two selves. There is your short-term self and your long-term self, and if you are only true to your short-term self, your long-term self decays.

Gregory M. Hill ’24
President, Student Bar Association
Secretary, Military and Veterans Law Society

What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?

I will miss interacting with my friends and the faculty and staff at Villanova Law. It is a welcoming community, and there is always someone ready to engage in any type of conversation. Also, as a non-Philadelphia sports fan, engaging in friendly “DC vs. Philadelphia” sports banter is fun, seeing how my classmates and professors support the Philadelphia sports scene.

What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?

My most memorable experience here was serving as the president of the Student Bar Association. It was a joy to help execute events and work with the administration to communicate students’ concerns and find viable solutions.   

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?

I am looking forward to applying everything I have learned to advocate on my client's behalf. School, externships and internships have prepared me to handle their needs—it is finally time to use these skills!

What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2027?

Remember your goals. It is easy to get caught up in what your peers are pursuing after graduation, and as a result, you may forget your own goals. Celebrate your friends as you want them to celebrate with you. Be open to learning about various practice areas; you never know what new interests you may develop.

Pooja Patel ’24
Dean's Ambassador
Co-President, First Generation Lawyers Group

What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?

I will miss the familiar faces that have become a big part of my experience at Villanova. I have met some of my best friends here and will miss seeing them daily. I will also miss seeing faculty and staff members. Both have been a big part of the reason that I have enjoyed my time at Villanova and the reason this difficult journey was made a lot easier.

What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?

Over the past three years, I have had countless memorable experiences, from late-night study sessions at school with my friends to taking interesting and fun classes. A few highlights would be law school events, such as Red Mass, Halloween or Fall Fest, celebrating post-finals every semester with my friends and being co-president of the First Generation Lawyers student group!   

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?

As I begin my next chapter, I am looking forward to applying all the knowledge that I have gained at Villanova, both within and beyond the classroom, to make a positive impact with my law degree. I am also looking forward to mentoring the next generation of lawyers, especially those who, like me, are first-generation. I am looking forward to giving back, as I know how invaluable my mentors have been to me. 

What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2027?

Embrace your own path! What works for others might not work for you and that’s okay; don’t fall into comparisons. Prioritize making time for yourself to do the things you enjoy — take a break when you need a break, you will be better for it. Lean on your support system. Remember that you belong here; it is easy to feel imposter syndrome, but trust in your capabilities and what got you here. Work hard and give your best efforts, but don’t forget to enjoy the ride because these three years will fly by faster than you can imagine. 

Kate Redding '24
President, Student Mental Health Society
Lorenzini Leadership Ambassador, Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership

What are you going to miss most about Villanova Law?

Everyone I know at Villanova has been deeply involved with something they're passionate about. It has been a joy to sit around a lunch table and hear how excited my friends and classmates are to work on different projects, from research assistantships to competing in national negotiation and moot court competitions to helping write Supreme Court amicus briefs. I have loved being surrounded by such passionate and dedicated people since our very first day of law school. 

What is your most memorable experience at Villanova Law?

Working with the Student Mental Health Society during all three years of law school has allowed me to see an immense amount of change, both in the mindset of Villanova students and in the awareness of the administration. I've been honored to be a part of meaningful conversations that have led to fundamental changes in school policies and improved students' well-being experiences.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?

I am excited to hold onto the curiosity that I've found as a student. Even though I won't be in the classroom anymore, I have enjoyed pursuing different subjects and areas of the law that interest me. I hope to make decisions in my career that push me to keep learning and asking questions about new and creative ways that lawyers can use law and policy to make real change for others. 

What advice would you give the incoming Villanova Law class of 2027?

Don't be afraid to do things that are authentically you, even if they don't conform to the conventional advice that you hear from other law students and lawyers. Your life and career are more than just a collection of the "right" things to put on your resume. Spend your time doing things that advance your interests and goals, whether you have to seek them out or they find you as a surprise.