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The 2L Summer and Post-Grad Career Fair drew just over 100 career-seekers Thursday evening.    Opportunity was in the air at the 2L Summer and Post-Grad Career Fair Thursday, which provided a chance for students and recent graduates to meet with recruiters to discuss open positions and, as part of a new feature this year, to sit down with practicing attorneys for more intimate career strategy sessions.   The Fair, held in the 4th-floor dining hall, was sponsored by the Career Development Center and the Public Service Law Center as part of their joint mission to provide guidance, resources, and support to current students and alumni every step of the way in their career and professional development journey. Just over 100 people seeking positions attended, including 2L students searching for summer internships, as well as 3Ls and recent graduates preparing to take on full-time attorney roles.  Along with the 15 firms and organizations that were recruiting for open positions, members of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) were on hand, including 10 corporate counsel attorneys from top companies across New York City who provided one-on-one advice sessions with students that included reviews of their résumés and LinkedIn profiles. More than 50 students pre-registered to meet with the attorneys in 20-minute time slots, according to Val Kapitula, director of recruitment and employer engagement at the Career Development Center.  “It is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their LinkedIn profiles and résumés with input from practicing attorneys,” Kapitula said. “It’s the first time we’ve done this with ACC, and we look forward to working with them in the future.”  Many of the employers at the fair have current job openings on Flo Recruit, or were there to network in the hopes of filling future openings, she said.   The attorneys recruiting at the fair included more than a dozen of the Law School’s alumni, who emphasized the importance of making connections in the field, especially with fellow alumni, and to take advantage of the school’s clinical and student group offerings.   Recent graduates Sam Caldarone ’23 and Maria Fischer ’24, both associate attorneys at Anderson Law, started out at the firm as interns, working with a partner at the firm, Gregory Byrnes ’18. “I started working for Greg in my 1L summer after meeting him through (retired Associated Professor of Clinical Law Emerita) Debbie Bechtel when I was a member of the Real Estate Society,” Fischer said. That early connection led to a full-time job after graduation, and now, an opportunity to bring more alumni into the fold at the firm.  Among the four alumni attending on behalf of Aaronson Rappaport Feinstein & Deutsch was Mallory Turk ’15, a partner who joined the firm in 2020 and specializes in medical malpractice litigation. She was inspired to pursue the specialty after her own summer internship.   “We have a big Brooklyn Law following and we are definitely looking to hire,” Turk said, adding that the team was seeking 2Ls for the firm’s summer program, especially. “For those interested in litigation, there’s an opportunity if you like us and we like you.”  Another alumna recruiter at the fair was Elizabeth Verillo ’11, the borough director of the Children’s Law Center, Brooklyn. Her own experience at Brooklyn Law School’s hybrid externship, a clinic run by the Children’s Law Center, inspired her to join the nonprofit law firm and devote her career to representing children. Such experiences can guide career paths and leave positive impressions with employers. “The Brooklyn Law interns we work with are so passionate and professional,” said Erin Bistricer, a staff attorney at the center. “We really enjoy working with them.”  Students at the fair said they appreciated the chance to meet with recruiters and get to know more about the firms and organizations, beyond what a job listing might reveal.   Christian Santana ’27, who spoke with recruiters at Zumpano Patricios & Popok about opportunities in commercial litigation, is still carefully considering what type of law he would like to practice. “I appreciated that they didn’t just want to talk about what the job is, but also about what the company culture is like, because that’s important,” Santana said.   Another student, Kaila Chen ’26, arranged an appointment with ACC to look over her LinkedIn profile and her résumé. “I’m very excited about the one-on-one program,” Chen said. “I’m interested in in-house counsel or government positions, so being able to hear firsthand how to break into the field is really valuable.”  Students were eager to share their work experience with recruiters as well. Sabrina Farahani ’26 plans to work in general litigation and is currently interning at the state Attorney General’s office in Manhattan, experience that she is eager to discuss during her search and utilize after graduation.    “I have been learning about everything that goes into putting together a motion, for example,” Farahani said. “It’s been great to get real-world experience in litigation.”   See all the photos on Flickr.

Brooklyn Law School proudly announces that longtime trustee and devoted alumnus Jeffrey D. Forchelli ’69 has been named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his decades of distinguished service to the School. Forchelli, who joined the Board of Trustees in October 2005, has played a pivotal role in guiding the Law School and supporting generations of students and faculty.   A Family Legacy at BLS   The honor reflects not only Jeffrey’s individual service, but also the deep, intergenerational connection of the Forchelli family to Brooklyn Law School. His father, Don Forchelli ’31, graduated nearly a century ago, the son of Italian immigrants who arrived in the United States in 1902. As a first-generation American and lawyer, Don was “the star of the family, their oldest son,” Jeffrey later recalled. His example inspired future generations of Forchellis to follow in his footsteps.   Jeffrey continued the tradition when he earned his degree in 1969. Over the years, the family’s ties included his uncle, Vincent Forchelli ’40, his cousin, Charlie Forchelli ’71, and his daughter, Nicole S. Forchelli ’07, now a partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana. Together, the Forchellis have created a legacy at Brooklyn Law School that spans nearly a century and multiple generations.   Supporting Students and Faculty for Generations   Jeffrey has worked to ensure that the Forchelli family’s impact endures. In 2003, he endowed the Jeffrey D. Forchelli Professorship of Law. Reflecting on that gift for the Brooklyn Law School 2023 Impact Report, he said, “What I wanted to do with the faculty chairs is make the Forchelli family name part of the history of the Law School.” A year later, he created the Don Forchelli Professorship of Law in honor of his late father, further strengthening the School’s academic mission. During a 2022 meeting with the new professors assuming the endowed chairs, he emphasized, “It is extremely important to our family to continue to support Brooklyn Law School through these endowments, which help educate and challenge the legal minds of our Brooklyn Law School students.”   The family’s philanthropy also includes the Jeffrey D. Forchelli Conference Center in Feil Hall, dedicated in 2005, which serves as a hub for scholarly symposia, academic programs and community events.   Lifelong Commitment to the School and Community   “Jeff Forchelli has been one of the most significant trustees over the last 20 years. Jeff has contributed his time, talent and treasure towards making the Law School the institution that it is today. We are delighted that Jeff will continue to share his wisdom with us as Trustee Emeritus,” said Frank Aquila ’83, Chair of the Brooklyn Law School Board of Trustees.    Beyond the Law School, Jeffrey is a leading figure in New York’s legal community. He is the founder and longtime Managing Partner of Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, which he established in 1976, and has focused his practice on complex real estate, land use and zoning matters. Earlier in his career, he served as counsel to the New York State Assembly and as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.   As Trustee Emeritus, Forchelli will continue to be part of the Law School family, offering his insight and institutional knowledge while enjoying recognition for his decades of commitment. His story reflects the enduring ties between Brooklyn Law School and the alumni who help shape its future.   Forchelli Family & Brooklyn Law School: A Nearly 100-Year Legacy Timeline   1931 – Don Forchelli ’31 earns his Juris Doctor from BLS, becoming the first in his family to enter the legal profession. The son of Italian immigrants, he is remembered with pride as the “star of the family.”   1940 – Vincent Forchelli ’40 graduates.   1969 – Jeffrey D. Forchelli ’69 graduates.   1971 – Charlie Forchelli ’71 graduates.   2003 – Jeffrey endows the Jeffrey D. Forchelli Professorship of Law, now held by Amy Gajda.   2004 – He establishes the Don Forchelli Professorship of Law, now held by Catherine Y. Kim.   2005 – The Jeffrey D. Forchelli Conference Center is dedicated.   October 2005 – Jeffrey joins the Board of Trustees.   2007 – Nicole S. Forchelli ’07 graduates, marking the third generation at BLS.   2022 – After a Trustees meeting, Jeffrey meets the new professors assuming the Forchelli-endowed chairs and offers remarks on continuing the family legacy. (Brooklyn Law School, Nov. 4, 2022)   2025 – Named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his decades of service.  

Brooklyn Law School student Jonathan Lent ’26 is named the American College of Bankruptcy’s Distinguished Bankruptcy Law Student for the Second Circuit, recognizing his academic excellence and hands-on experience in bankruptcy law.

Brooklyn Law School Giving Day highlights the experiences, mentors, and programs that shape students’ careers, showcasing stories of impact from students and alumni.

Chief Judge Rowan Wilson joins Brooklyn lawmakers and advocates at Brooklyn Law School to discuss New York’s Second Look Act on May 8.

Ascending Scholar Professor Jocelyn Simonson, who was named the Herman Badillo ’54 Professor of Law this academic year, was ranked #4 on “The Top 100 Legal Scholars of 2025,” released as part of a recurring study that looks at the number of citations recent scholarly work has received.   The ranking marks a rapid ascension for Simonson, who teaches and writes about criminal law and was ranked 63rd on the same list last year. (The 2024 ranking also named her colleague Professor Alice Ristroph, the Les Fagen Professor of Law, as #84).   This recognition comes amid continued strength in Brooklyn Law School’s overall scholarly profile. In a 2024 nationwide Scholarly Impact Ranking of U.S. law schools, the Law School ranked No. 29, reflecting the influence and citation impact of faculty scholarship over time. The triennial study, conducted by Professor Greg Sisk and colleagues at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, measures how frequently faculty work is cited in law review articles and is widely regarded as a leading indicator of scholarly influence across the legal academy.  This year’s list also gained media attention in Reuters, which noted that it “flips the script on who is making the biggest impact, with women occupying seven of the top 10 spots on the list—more than double the number from the ​previous year.” This trend reflects the growing number and prominence of women law professors, who now make up 49 percent of full-time U.S. law school faculty, up from 40 percent in 2011, according to the American Bar Association.  The study was designed by Rob Willey and Melanie Knapp, researchers at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, to spotlight the scholarly impact of recently published work.  Citations are used as a measure of scholarly influence and attention generated by academic work. The ranking tracks how often a scholar’s work is cited over a three-year period, in this case from 2019 to 2021. As part of the study, the law schools are also ranked by the number of faculty authors who made the list. Brooklyn Law School is ranked #8. Although it does not factor into that institutional ranking, Visiting Professor Hannah Bloch-Wehba, who teaches criminal law and joined the Law School this academic year from Texas A&M School of Law, also appears on the list at No. 46.   Spotlight on Simonson’s Work  Simonson, who joined the faculty in 2015, writes and teaches about criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and social change. She is also co-director of the Center for Criminal Justice at Brooklyn Law School. She served as associate dean for research and scholarship from 2022 to 2025, during which time she published Radical Acts of Justice: How Ordinary People are Dismantling Mass Incarceration (New Press, Aug. 2023).  Here is what Simonson said about her scholarship after it was announced that she was appointed as the Herman Badillo ’54 Professor of Law:  “I have spent the last decade writing about how groups are pushing back against criminalization, including in my book, Radical Acts of Justice, and I am still researching social movements in ways that I find exciting and invigorating. Currently, it is a scary time for marginalized communities, who are being repressed in stronger ways than they have in my lifetime, so I am starting to write about state repression and collective rights in the face of that repression. I am also examining the role of substantive criminal law and collective criminality that paint groups of people as criminal enterprises or criminal groups through statutes such as RICO and doctrines like conspiracy and use these as tools of repression. My work is also focused on looking back, historically, to think about social movements and collectives of people taking care of each other have been criminalized by the state.”  The scholarship that Simonson has produced continues to receive national recognitiongain accolades from her peers nationwide and her colleagues, and underscores Brooklyn Law School’s deep commitment to excellence in academic scholarship.   "Professor Simonson's achievement of being in the top 5five cited legal scholars in recent years is remarkable and something of which all of us at BLS are so proud,” said Professor Cynthia Godsoe, the Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Scholarship. “Simonson's scholarship is creative and thought-provoking, and has great impact both in the academy and in the ‘real world’ of the criminal legal system and movements for change. In addition to her groundbreaking work, Simonson contributes so much to the BLS community as a generous and engaged colleague, teacher, and mentor."   Taken together, Simonson’s recognition and the Law School’s continued strength in national scholarly impact rankings underscore the growing influence and visibility of Brooklyn Law School faculty scholarship across the legal academy. 

(L to R) Brooklyn Law School’s new administrators include Todd Bristol, Sarah Luke, Jonathan Santiago, Jeffrey Dulow, Heather Spielmaker, Sara Moran, Alexis Grafakos and Dominique Fowler.   Brooklyn Law School welcomes eight new administrative leaders in finance, legal counsel, human resources, student and residential life, and campus safety. Together they contribute a wealth of experience and fresh ideas to our community. The new team includes the following: Todd Bristol, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, brings to the Law School nearly 30 years of experience managing the finances and operations of complex academic research institutions, including a decade as associate dean for administration, finance, and planning for Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He has also served as chief operating officer for Bard Graduate Center, as vice dean for administration for Rutgers University’s School of Arts and Sciences, and as senior assistant dean for administration, finance, and planning at Columbia University’s School of Social Work. We welcome his extensive knowledge and experience in strategic planning; budget modeling; and financial administration and oversight of major capital projects, information technology, human resources, and communications. “I am honored and humbled to serve as the new executive vice president of Brooklyn Law School, drawn by the opportunity to support and advance the school’s important mission under the leadership of President and Dean David Meyer and his exceptional team,” Bristol said. “Having served at such large academic institutions as Columbia, Princeton, and Rutgers during the past three decades, I am delighted to now join an independent school that is committed to serving a diverse and vibrant community in the heart of Brooklyn.” Jeffrey Dulow, Controller, arrives at Brooklyn from Bergen Community College, in New Jersey, where he also served as controller. Dulow is a seasoned finance professional with wide experience in treasury, accounting, auditing, tax preparation, and operational functions. His career path has taken him from leading a team with the U.S. Department of Defense’s U.S. Army Budget Group to CIT Bank Consumer Finance and to CIT’s Global Accounting Office. He received his M.B.A. in financial management from Pace University and an M.S. in accounting from Seton Hall University. “In joining the dynamic team at Brooklyn Law School, my goal is the continuation of timely and accurate financial reporting to senior management and other stakeholders so informative decisions can be made in the best interest of our students,” Dulow said. “Furthermore, along with other members of the administration and finance teams, I will provide exceptional customer service that our outstanding students and alumni deserve and expect.”  Dominique Fowler, Director of Student Life, has more than a decade of deep experience developing, implementing, and championing educational and student-driven initiatives, most recently as director of student engagement for Iona University. Previously, Fowler served in that position at Coker University, in Hartsville, S.C., and was director of alumni relations at Virginia Union University, where he is himself an alumnus, having received his master's in education there. He is currently working toward his Ed.D. in executive leadership at St. John Fisher University. “I find profound satisfaction in immersing myself in the welcoming Brooklyn Law community and being accepted as me,” Fowler said. “In addition to embracing the diversity of our student body, and nurturing collaborative relationships with campus partners, it has been amazing to engage with the vibrant energy of our student body, work alongside the Student Bar Association (SBA), and current and aspiring student leaders. I believe that collectively we have the ability to re-envision the landscape of student engagement and cultivate an inclusive and innovative environment that fosters holistic development, leadership development, and meaningful connections within our historic institution.” Alexis Grafakos, Director of Residential Life, joins us from SUNY Maritime College’s Office of Residential Life, where she was most recently interim assistant director and was previously the interim Title IX coordinator. She also served as area coordinator at SUNY Geneseo’s Office of Residential Life. Grafakos has consistently devoted herself to campus engagement, counseling first-year students to help them ease their transition to college; facilitating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students; and making connections to resources for students who have faced sexual misconduct and gender discrimination. She is also a member and former executive board vice president of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, a sorority devoted to expanding awareness of Latinx and diverse cultures. Grafakos received an M.A. in higher education and student affairs administration from New York University. “I am really looking forward to being able to better the residential experience for our community and ensuring that everyone feels at home in Feil Hall,” Grafakos said.  Sarah Luke, General Counsel, has built an impressive career around her great expertise in higher education, good governance, contracts, compliance, and labor and employment law. She joins the Law School from Brooklyn College, where she served as executive legal counsel and labor designee, and interim chief diversity officer. Previously, she served as general counsel and vice president for Governors State University, as assistant general counsel for both Wayne State University and Rutgers University, and in private practice as senior counsel at Bond Schoeneck & King. Luke received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. She is also a frequent presenter at conferences of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and is a pro bono volunteer for the Lawyers Alliance for New York. “It is an honor to join such an innovative institution,” Luke said. “Brooklyn Law School’s commitment to access, equity, and academic excellence resonates deeply with my own values, and I am eager to take part in its mission.” Sara Moran, Director of Human Resources, has guided human resources (HR) teams for a wide variety of organizations, from arts and cultural institutions (the New York Philharmonic and the Intrepid Museum) to nonprofits such as the health-care-focused Puerto Rican Family Institute and the Central Park Conservancy. Most recently, she was HR Director for nonprofit public-affairs programmer and educational organization BronxNet TV, where she helped develop new departments and performed strategic evaluations to advance its success. “As the HR Director at Brooklyn Law, I look forward to working with employees and the organization to strengthen the BLS community,” Moran said. Jonathan Santiago, Director of Campus Safety, was formerly manager of training and development for Columbia University’s Department of Public Safety, where he was previously a sergeant on the public safety team. He served as an aviation manager for the U.S. Army, later transitioning to the Army National Guard as a military police officer. Santiago holds an M.S. in enterprise risk management from Columbia University, an M.B.A. from Adelphi University, and a dual M.A. in Criminal Law and Procedure and Police Administration from John Jay College. Of joining Brooklyn Law, Santiago said, “I am truly blessed to be provided this opportunity to cultivate a professional and inclusive environment within our community. My primary goal is to assemble a dedicated campus safety team that not only ensures the security of our campus but also fosters a culture of awareness and collaboration. I envision implementing programs that promote safety education, proactive risk assessment, and community engagement. By laying a solid foundation, I aim to pave the way for future leaders to thrive and evolve within our institution.” Heather Spielmaker, Associate Dean of Career Development, joins the Law School’s Career Development Center after leading successful programs as assistant dean of career development at the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, as assistant dean of career services at the University of Kansas School of Law, and as assistant dean at the West Virginia University College of Law. Spielmaker also has extensive firsthand experience with independent law schools. She received her J.D. from the independent Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, after already launching her career in law school administration at Cooley’s Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism. There, she developed and administered many pro bono programs (including a legal assistance program for returning troops and veterans) and rose to director while simultaneously working toward her law degree. “I’m thrilled to be part of the Brooklyn Law School career development team,” Spielmaker said. “We are committed to fully supporting our students and new graduates in their job searches and look forward to expanding our employer outreach, so students have a wonderful variety of opportunities to pursue. Nothing is more fulfilling for us than seeing students excited about their employment outcomes.”

With Backgrounds Spanning From Footwear to Banking to Teaching, Incoming Students Bring Energy to Our Community There are more than 400 new students enrolled at Brooklyn Law School this semester, and in addition to being a highly diverse group—the first-year J.D. class alone includes students whose birthplaces span 5 continents and 23 countries—they bring an intriguing mix of experiences, both academic and professional, to our community. Some join us after working in the legal field and dreaming about earning a J.D. someday. Others worked as teachers or advocates for social justice. Some have impressive day jobs in healthcare or banking and intend to take night classes to earn their J.D. Together, they are an extraordinary group that are sure to help Brooklyn Law School continue its upward trajectory as they make new connections and enjoy all things New York City.   Here are a few members of the incoming class  Los Angeles native Aaron Daneshrad ’27, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, spent 13 years in the footwear industry, primarily focusing on sales, marketing, and branding for e-commerce platforms and various marketplaces. He also founded and operated a resale boutique in Los Angeles in 2022.  “I chose Brooklyn Law School primarily because of its strong reputation and extensive network with leading corporate firms, especially in the sports and entertainment sectors,” Daneshrad said. “My goal in attending law school is to be actively engaged in these fields, and Brooklyn Law's reputation for employment opportunities in sports and entertainment is a significant draw for me.”  He plans to get involved in sports and entertainment-focused groups and immerse himself in New York City, particularly its music, sports, and technology scenes. “After a few years in Los Angeles, which has felt somewhat lacking, I am excited about the new opportunities and vibrant atmosphere that New York offers,” Daneshrad said.   Some incoming students, such as Danielle Raskin ’27, hope to build upon their professional experience in the legal field. Born in New York City and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y., Raskin graduated Penn State University in 2022 with a degree in criminology, and will be a third-generation lawyer, following her grandfather and her father, Josh Raskin ’96, who is a Brooklyn Law alumnus.    Raskin first interned and then spent two years working in various departments at the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. As an intern, she worked with the cold case bureau, including in the case of Robert Durst who was indicted for the murder of his wife and was famously featured in the HBO series "The Jinx.”  After joining full-time in 2022, Raskin's assignments included the communications department, where she took media calls and helped arrange press conferences including for the exoneration of Leonard Mack, a Vietnam veteran who spent 48 years trying to clear his name of a rape conviction dating back to his early 20s for which he spent seven and a half years behind bars.  Another man ultimately confessed to the crime. It was the most rewarding moment of Raskin’s career so far and she hopes to continue gaining hands-on experience.    “I am very passionate about criminal justice reform and wrongful-conviction type work, so I'd love to get involved in those types of clinics,” Raskin said. “Specifically, I saw online there is the BLS/EXI Innocence Clinic which would be an incredible opportunity.”  Evelly Boiguene ’27, a native of Queens, N.Y., spent the summer as a New York State Judicial Institute Legal Educational Opportunity fellow, an experience that she said, “prepared me intensively for my legal journey.” She is also well-versed in the type of public service work that is a hallmark of Brooklyn Law School. Previously, she worked as an ESL teacher for adult immigrants and collaborated with many nonprofits focused on community education. Additionally, she served as the Celestial Sound after-school director, providing children in Queens Village with extra academic support.   “I have always wanted to pursue a J.D. because I see lawyers and attorneys as advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Boiguene said. “I have always spoken up, knowing that earning a J.D. would put me in the best position to make a difference.”  She has her eye on a number of academic pursuits, including a Sports Law externship, the Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic, and the BLS/EXI Innocence Clinic. Raised by immigrant parents—her mother is from Guatemala, and her father is from Haiti—she is also interested in the school’s Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) and Black Law Students Association (BLSA.)     Alessandra Moreno ’27, a native New Yorker who grew up in Washington Heights, will be part of the Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Law Fellowship Program. After completing her undergraduate degree, Moreno spent a year in Rwanda liaising between visiting student and professional groups from around the world and the nonprofit Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. “I facilitated conversations on respectful travel, white saviorism, and topics related to memorialization," Moreno said.   She then spent two years as a family advocate at the Center for Family Representation, an interdisciplinary public defense organization that represents parents accused by the state of neglect and abuse. In providing direct social work support to her clients, including attending court and other conferences by their sides, Moreno became concerned that the laws created in the name of “child welfare” were broken.   “I wondered ‘How is this allowed?’ too many times to not pursue a J.D.,” Moreno said. “I am most looking forward to learning from the experiences of my Brooklyn Law classmates and professors and finding my place in the legal field alongside them.”  Brooklyn Law is well regarded for its part-time J.D. program, and the flexibility that it affords is what attracted a growing number of new part-time students like Christopher Naipaul ’28, who is a practicing physical therapist who earned his doctorate in physical therapy in 2020, and treats patients privately and as an associate doctor of physical therapy at a comprehensive pain relief and wellness clinic in midtown Manhattan.   “My decision to pursue a J.D. was driven by my desire to expand my ability to make a difference beyond the clinical setting,” Naipaul said. “I am looking forward to diving into the study of law and being part of the Brooklyn Law School community. I plan to participate in various externships and clinics that will provide hands-on experience, like the Prosecution Clinics and the Health Law externships, as well as being an active student on campus.”  Naipaul, who was born and raised in Richmond Hills, Queens, N.Y., said the Law School's ideal location and part-time extended J.D. program drew him in, because he will still be able to work while attending school.   “The close proximity to courthouses, government agencies, and large law firms, along with Brooklyn Law School’s strong reputation for academics make it a great place to pursue my J.D.,” Naipaul added. “I am honored to be part of this community.”  Similarly, Deirdre Lewin ’27 is entering the part-time program and will study in the evenings. Born in Rockville Centre, N.Y., she studied economics and public policy and ran Division 1 track at William & Mary. An internship at the Center for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business sparked Lewin’s interest in the policies and regulations faced by entrepreneurs who work on innovative solutions to global, social, and environmental challenges.   After graduation, she spent two years working as an analyst at the global consulting firm IBM Promontory and then in August 2022 joined Goldman Sachs as an analyst on the operational risk and resilience team within the global banking and markets division. She was inspired to dive deeper into the regulatory space after a recent project at Goldman where she assisted in remediation efforts in the wake of a major cybersecurity attack on a vendor that is used at firms across Wall Street.   “Working on this specific project was the turning point that inspired my career aspirations for the future,” said Lewin, who will continue to work at Goldman Sachs while attending the Law School. “It highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the banking system and the downstream effects that gaps in security can have on the lives of ordinary Americans. It has opened my eyes to the serious vulnerabilities that firms with advance infrastructure and controls have, and the pressing need for better, more consistent cybersecurity coverage and regulation. I hope to use my J.D. degree to understand and address the cybersecurity risk financial institutions face and, eventually, be at the forefront of developing cybersecurity law and policy.”   Look to our social media channels for additional new student profiles, and share your story by emailing us at communications@brooklaw.edu 

For countless Brooklyn Law School graduates, being part of the alumni “family” is more than a metaphor. It literally means joining their parents, grandparents, siblings, or other family members who have preceded them at the Law School. At Commencement, 16 members of the Class of 2023 will follow a great Law School tradition in which alumni family members present them with their degrees.     Among these proud grads are two whose grandmothers will do the honors: Jacob Hirsch ’23 will be joined by grandmother Harriet Newman Cohen ’74; and Jacob Viener ’23 will have grandmother Phyllis Sanders ’84, and mother, Meryl Sanders Viener ’92, at his side.     Putting Public Service First    Jacob Hirsch ’23 (“Jake” to family and friends) will begin a staff attorney position with the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County after graduation, but he got his first taste of legal work at the firm started by his grandmother Harriet Newman Cohen ’74, founding partner of Cohen Stine Kapoor.     “In our family, it’s a rite of passage to work for Grandma for a few years,” said Hirsch, a former intern and later paralegal at the high-profile Manhattan matrimonial and family law practice. Cohen couldn’t have been more pleased with her grandson’s performance.     “When Jake worked for us, we invited him into our Friday brainstorming meetings because his work was extraordinary. He had great insights,” she said. The respect is mutual. “As an adult, seeing my grandmother in her element changed my perspective on who she was,” Hirsch said. “She has had an incredible career and is such a dynamic and amazing person.”     While Hirsch was drawn to criminal defense through his pro bono work at the BLS/Exoneration Innocence Clinic (in conjunction with the nonprofit Exoneration Initiative), the Legal Aid Society’s Brooklyn Criminal Defense Practice, and NY County Defender Services, the skills he gained at Cohen’s practice readily translated to his chosen field, and even helped him get his first internship, with the Federal Defenders of the Eastern District of California.     “She put me in front of client communications, and I was involved in creating documents like post-nuptial agreements,” Hirsch said. “I had no legal training when I started at the firm as an undergrad, but I learned to read and condense legal documents into easy-to-absorb materials for clients. In my interview with the Federal Defenders, I connected how that experience could translate to the criminal defense setting and make clients feel comfortable. It set me on this path.”     This year, Hirsch received a Gold Award for Outstanding Public Service from the Law School for performing more than 1,000 hours of pro bono and public service work.     Cohen has had what she calls a “second-life career,” having enrolled at Brooklyn Law School (where she made Law Review) while in her 30s and raising four daughters as a single mother.     “It was like walking into a Shangri-La, after not being in the presence of educators for years,” Cohen said. Her professors, such as former deans Jerome Prince and the Hon. I. Leo Glasser, as well as the legendary Joseph Crea, she added, “were dedicated, brilliant, and cutting-edge. It was a thrill to be sitting there and soaking up what they had to teach us.”     Cohen, who went on to become one of the country’s top matrimonial and family law attorneys, has continued to share her love for the Law School as a member of the President’s Advisory Council and as a participant in the Women’s Leadership Network programs, and was the 2020 Alumna of the Year. Naturally, when it came to deciding on where to go to law school, Hirsch said his grandmother was his inspiration. “She told me about her amazing experience and professors, and my own time at Brooklyn Law has lived up to hers. It’s one of the best pedagogical experiences I’ve had,” he said. Commencement is just the beginning, Cohen said. “Jake is a shining light and a wonderful advocate. He’s going to go places!”    A Legacy of Law and Giving Back For Jacob Viener, graduating from Brooklyn Law School is a multi-generational family tradition. Jacob (“Jack” to friends and family) follows in the footsteps of his late grandfather Stanley Sanders ’66; his grandmother Phyllis Sanders ’84, who became a lawyer following a career as a teacher; and his mother, Meryl Sanders Viener ’92 (who also was presented with her law degree by her parents). Phyllis and Meryl, as well as Jack’s father, Joseph Viener, are partners in the family’s Long Island practice, The Sanders Law Firm, which specializes in personal injury law and was founded by Stanley Sanders in 1967.    The law wasn’t Viener’s original ambition. He began undergrad work in pre-med at the University of Miami but made a 180-degree turn to study history, and took a year after graduation to teach in Israel. Then, like many other family members, he worked at the family practice and decided to set his sights on a legal education.     “I saw the variety of the job,” Jack said. “There are different problems to solve every day. And I realized that a law degree makes you think about how you look at the world.”     His decision to go to Brooklyn had a lot to do with Stanley Sanders: “My grandfather loved the school. He gave Brooklyn Law all the credit for the success he had,” Viener said.     Her son’s decision to pursue the law did not surprise Meryl Viener. “From an early age, Jack has been persuasive,” she said. “He’s good at arguing different points of view. We knew we had a budding lawyer.” That ability came in handy around the family dinner table.     “We don’t always agree on things, but it was great to get my parents’ and my grandmother’s perspectives as lawyers working in the field, to hear about their personal experiences. I always got advice from them, and they always asked about what I was learning and what caught my interest,” Jacob Viener said. Among those great interests was working with the Law School’s Disability and Civil Rights Clinic. “It’s such an important clinic. The impact it has on people’s lives makes it meaningful to take these cases pro bono,” he said.     That makes perfect sense to Phyllis.     “Jack is smart, and he cares about people,” she said. “As an attorney you have to care about your clients. The combination is going to make him a success.”     For the Sanders-Viener family, Brooklyn Law School is more than the institution where they received a great legal education; it’s where they make it possible for others to have that same opportunity. Stanley and Phyllis Sanders and Meryl Viener established the Sanders Family Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a deserving student. The family spirit of giving back, not only to the Law School but also to organizations like the UJA Federation, is something they have passed on to Jack.     “They’re very generous with their money as well as their time. That’s something they tried to instill in me and my sisters from an early age,” Jack said. “There will always be a special place in my heart for Brooklyn Law School.”    In addition to Hirsch and Viener, the graduates and their alumni family members include: Kathryn Daly and mother Lisa Howlett ’90 Chetram Deochand and cousin Vimla Warslie ’19 Solomon Elefant and father Sheldon Elefant ’03 Alex Firstein-Rudder and father Paul Eric Rudder ’68 Brian Gardner and mother Polly Schiavone ’88 Nicole Horn and mother Lisa Salvatore ’91 Mikayla Leef and uncle Michael Cibella ’96 Jeffrey Lefkowitz and brother Andrew Lefkowitz ’22 Christian Macaluso and parents Donna Fafinski ’89 and Joseph Macaluso ’90 Jackie Perrotta and mother Linda DeCorato Perrotta ’88 Rachel Schwartz and mother Betsy Rosen Schwartz ’87 Mohammad Tahir and cousin Tahir Boykins ’16 Graeme Waples and brother Lane Waples ’22 Carly Waxman and cousin Elissa Stern ’12

Professor Alexis Hoag‑Fordjour is named the inaugural David Dinkins ’56 Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School, honoring her nationally recognized scholarship on race, criminal justice, and the right to counsel.