Hi! I’m Luis Villa. I’m a recent graduate of Columbia Law School, where I focused on technology and intellectual property law. Among other things, I was Editor-in-Chief of the Science and Technology Law Review, and at graduation I was awarded the Carroll Harper Prize for excellence in IP law scholarship. My goal as a practicing lawyer is to help innovators, creators and startups do their thing with minimal interference and maximum assistance from lawyers.
My website
My blog, discussing a mix of technology, law, and my personal life.
Pictures I’ve taken of my life and travels.
Talks I’ve given on software and the law.
My Wife
Krissa Nichols. RPCV and lover of local food. Cool girl.
My 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 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.
Not Me
You may have come here looking for another Luis Villa.
I am not Luis Villa, Jr., MD, an oncologist and also my father.
I also am not Luis Villa, a Spaniard usability expert.
If you’re another Luis Villa, drop a note and say hi! :)