Joe Villasenor

Professor Villasenor teaches Civil Clinic.

Professor Villaseñor became an Adjunct Law Professor in 2018 and was promoted to Professor of Practice in 2020. Earlier in his career, he served as the Lead Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc., Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Public Attorney. Professor Villaseñor has represented nearly two thousand consumers, both in public service and in private practice, in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Professor Villaseñor teaches in the USD Legal Clinics where he teaches the Civil Clinic. He has also taught the Veterans Legal Clinic and Professional Responsibility. He is the faculty subject matter expert on consumer rights law and is a frequent presenter and speaker at conferences and symposiums domestically and internationally, including the National Consumer Law Center’s Consumer Rights and Litigation Conference, American Association of Law Schools Annual Meeting, the National Association of Women Judges, the Federal Bar Association of San Diego, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, among others. 

Professor Villaseñor is admitted to practice in the state of California, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and he is also a United States Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney. He is an active member of the Board of Directors for the San Diego County Bar Foundation and an active member of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California’s Pro Bono Panel.

Professor Villaseñor was awarded the exclusive National Consumer Law Center Rising Star Award in 2019, a nationwide distinction that honors only four consumer protection attorneys each year. His commitment to pro bono service has been recognized by the State Bar of California with the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Service and the Legal Aid Society of San Diego with the Outstanding Service Award, both presented in 2011. He has been nominated by the San Diego Daily Transcript for Top Young Attorney, Top Corporate Litigation Attorney and Top Influential Attorney honors. While in school at USD, Professor Villaseñor was awarded the Pro Bono Services Award in 2009 and Warren Family Endowment Scholarship from 2007-2008. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates.