Helen M. Alvaré
Visiting Associate Professor of Law
J.D., Cornell University; M.A., The Catholic University of America
Professional Information
Subjects Taught: Family Law
Contact Information
Email: Send an email
Phone: 703-993-9845
Office: Room 402, Arlington Campus
Address:
3301 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
Biographical Sketch
Helen M. Alvaré is a Visiting Associate Professor of Law for the spring 2008 semester. She comes to George Mason from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law where she is an Associate Professor. Professor Alvaré will be teaching a course in Family Law.
Professor Alvaré received her law degree at Cornell University in 1984 and a master's degree in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in 1989. She practiced with the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, specializing in commercial litigation and free exercise of religion matters. For three years, she worked at the Office of General Counsel for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, where she drafted amicus briefs in leading U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning abortion, euthanasia and the Establishment Clause. For the next ten years, she worked with the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the NCCB. There, she lobbied, testified before federal congressional committees, addressed university audiences, and appeared on hundreds of television and radio programs on behalf of the U.S. Catholic bishops. She also assisted the Holy See on matters concerning women, marriage and the family, and respect for human life.
Professor Alvaré chaired the commission investigating clerical abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and remains a consultant to the U.S. bishops marriage committee as well as an ABC News consultant. Her scholarship regularly treats current controversies about marriage, parenting, and the new reproductive technologies.