Me, currently

I’m a second year student at Columbia Law School, where I hope to focus on technology and intellectual property law, with a particular interest in helping innovators, creators and startups to do their thing with minimal interference and maximum assistance from lawyers.

Other Things I Do

I write a blog, discussing a mix of technology, law, and my personal life. I also occasionally contribute to First Movers, a law student group blog. If you're curious why I blog, see this post.

I like to take pictures.

I occasionally give talks on GNOME, Bugzilla and Free Software.

My Significant Other

Krissa Nichols. RPCV. Cool girl.

Past Lives

Before leaving for law school, I was geek in residence at the Berkman Center For Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. I did mostly project management for Berkman projects like StopBadware and H2O, but also general geekery of various and sundry sorts.

Before that, I was an employee of Novell, Inc., working for the Linux Desktop group, formerly known as the monkeys.

I was a founding member of the GNOME bugsquad, and currently claim the title ‘bugmaster emeritus’. I was also repeatedly elected to the GNOME Foundation Board.

I used to be a very active legOS hacker, but am no longer actively involved with Lego Mindstorms.

I went to Duke, where I was a Cameron Crazy, and studied political science and computer science. I was lucky enough to have some brilliant profs like John Brehm, Tom Spragens, Scott de Marchi, Karen Stenner, Michael Littman, and Owen Astrachan. Now I’m one of those old fogies who talks about the good old days.

I grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, and attended Coral Gables High.

Who I’m Not

I am not Luis Villa, Jr., MD, an oncologist and also my father.

I am not Luis Villa, a Spaniard usability expert.