Me, currently
I'm a recent graduate of Columbia Law School, where I focused on technology and intellectual property law. Among other things, I was awarded the Carroll Harper prize for excellence in IP law scholarship, and I was Editor-in-Chief of the Science and Technology Law Review. My goal as a lawyer is to help innovators, creators and startups 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 have also contributed to First Movers and this post.
I enjoy taking 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.
