Class of 2029 Brings an Array of Backgrounds to Brooklyn Law School

While each new Brooklyn Law School student has a unique story, quite a few of the 441 incoming students who were welcomed at the 125th Convocation ceremony have especially unusual journeys, from a U.S. Navy communication specialist who represented the Blue Angels to an Emmy Award winner to a competitive sailor on the U.S. Sailing Team. 

Meet a few members of the Class of 2029 with intriguing backgrounds and learn why they chose Brooklyn Law School.   

A Desire to Sing to a Different Tune  

Emma Sky '29 is no stranger to the sounds of Brooklyn. The daughter of musicians, she moved to the borough in 2011 to explore its music scene as a violinist. When she wasn’t touring with her punk band or bartending, she was involved in multiple activist movements, supporting marginalized people through volunteer work and event organizing for charities including WIN, an organization that provides shelter for families escaping domestic violence, and Black and Pink, an organization supporting incarcerated LGBTQIA+ people.

"I've spent the past 15 years writing and teaching music, creating and sharing bold fashion, and serving some of the best cocktails in New York," Sky said.

She chose to apply to Brooklyn Law School with the goal of becoming a class-action lawsuit litigator representing plaintiffs who believe they were wronged or exploited by large corporations. The ability to gain practical legal experience through the school’s Civil Practice Externship, New York Civil Court Consumer Law hybrid externship, and the Public Service Law Center confirmed her decision, as did the school’s status as the only law school in Brooklyn and its proximity to multiple courthouses.

"Brooklyn Law being located in the center of where so much legal work happens is very exciting," Sky said, describing the Law school as "the perfect mix of down-to-earth, progressive, and forward-looking attitudes and opportunities." 

Dribbling Into Real Estate  

For Amit P. Shah '29, a career in law is the next step in a professional journey that has already taken him into a wide array of fields, from technology consulting to real estate. 

Born in Flushing, Queens, Shah spent his early childhood in the Bronx before moving to Fort Lee, N.J., at age 10. While attending Villanova University, he played college basketball alongside Josh Hart, the New York Knicks shooting guard whose team won the 2026 NBA championship. After graduation, Shah spent five years as a technology consultant at Deloitte Consulting, working with companies in the life sciences and health care space, including CVS and Aetna. 

During the pandemic, Shah shifted gears and joined his family in managing its real estate portfolio in the Bronx, which includes hotels, shelters, affordable housing, multifamily homes, and vacant lots. Today, his work encompasses nearly every aspect of the business, including buying, developing, maintaining, operating, leasing, and selling properties.    

Shah plans to continue working while attending Brooklyn Law School as an evening student and expects to graduate in 2030. His professional experience shaped his decision to pursue a law degree.  

"A J.D. would surely help me grow my business," said Shah, who currently works with attorneys on matters involving lawsuits, insurance, contracts, leases, evictions, debt collection, and more. At BLS, he looks forward to taking courses focused on these areas and exploring opportunities related to real estate. 

Brooklyn Law School also has a personal connection for Shah: A dear family friend graduated from the Law School in 1972. The school’s location, which allows him to remain close to his workplace, friends and family in New York and New Jersey, was another major draw. 

Raising the Bar from the Stage 

Before a career in law as an antitrust paralegal for the federal government, Qing Yu Chen '29 studied music at Juilliard, where she played the violin. She found the two disciplines, music and law, to be more alike than they might seem.   

"I view the mechanisms and presentations of the law as being akin to the presentation of a rehearsed performance," she said. 

Chen’s interest in law is rooted in her family and a desire to create a broader impact. As the daughter of a small-business owner, the Queens native saw firsthand how her family benefited from competition and strong market choice. Her experience as a musician further inspired her to pursue a path that would help her serve others in a more tangible way. 

"As a musician, I believed I wanted to challenge myself further to create impact beyond the concert stage hall," Chen said. "As an attorney, I believe I can be best positioned to create a positive impact in my community." 

Continuing her education and career in New York City was a major factor in Chen’s decision to attend Brooklyn Law School. She was also inspired by events hosted at BLS, where she has connected with faculty and alumni, and at work, where she met an alum who served as opposing counsel at a trial.  

Chen is especially looking forward to studying abroad, taking courses related to her interests, and participating in student associations that allow her to give back to the New York City community.