Steve Virgil

Legal Counsel

Professor Steven Virgil is on the Wake Forest University School of Law faculty, where he has taught since 2008. He teaches in the areas of economic development, poverty policy, business development, and trade. His research focuses on laws and policies impacting micro-enterprise development, social enterprise and the nonprofit sector. He is the author of books in these areas and has published several articles. Over the last ten years, Professor Virgil has taught as a visiting professor in the areas of economic development and poverty at the University of Vienna, in Vienna, Austria, Ca’Fascori University, in Venice, Italy, and has co-taught courses at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua.

Professionally, Professor Virgil is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of North Carolina, Ohio, and Nebraska and before the 4th, 6th and 8th Circuit Courts of Appeal. In addition to being recognized for his teaching, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2007 and was recognized in 2006 by the Secretary, U.S. Dept of Commerce, and the White House for his work on rural economic development.

He has practiced law since 1991, and as director of the Community Law Clinic at Wake Forest University, Professor Virgil advises clients on issues related to economic development, including strategy, financing, business development, intellectual property, and cooperative law. Professor Virgil has advised cooperatives, including producer, marketing, and worker cooperatives, since 1993. His expertise will be critical in the technical assistance activity to provide legal support to conversions and cooperative start-ups.