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Alumni News
In Their Own Words: Alumni Shining Stars
Monica Lindsay '09
Associate, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
“Elisabeth Haub School of Law at
Pace University taught me that
success isn’t about prestige—it’s
about preparation, perseverance,
and people and that has shaped the
foundation of the way I practice law
and interact with my clients and
community every day.”
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Lauren Enea '16
Partner, Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP
“As an Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University alumna, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the Westchester community. So many important people in my life — colleagues, friends, mentors, and even my father —are fellow graduates. My experience at the Law School has given me strong roots in our community.”
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Nicolette Pellegrino ’18
Assistant Director of Legal Recruitment, New York City Law Department
“My professors and experiences at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University provided me with a solid foundation to become the attorney I am today. Values and skills such as
hard work, dedication, and collaboration have been key tools in my successes. I will always be grateful for Pace Haub Law.”
Alumni Updates
Pace Haub Law publishes alumni news, accomplishments and updates on a quarterly and annual basis.
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Harold E. Kaplan, BBA ’72, JD ’83, Florida Board Certified in Health Law (1995–2020), and also admitted in New York, was a Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) volunteer attorney at the Rutherford County Recovery Resource Fair on July 23, 2025, at the Gerton NC Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a volunteer attorney on August 27, 2025, at the NC Bar Association/Foundation, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and Pisgah Legal Services Ask A Lawyer – WNC Disaster Recovery Hotline. Harold is the principal of Kaplan Arbitration located in Fairview, North Carolina, which focuses exclusively on nationwide arbitration of health care and contract disputes and arbitration case consultation.
Judge William J. Giacomo '84 was honored by the Westchester County Bar Foundation.
Jacqueline Hattar '91 was appointed by the New York State Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, as a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness for the Ninth Judicial District.
Steven Epstein '92 was sworn in as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Cleve Lisecki ‘94 is teaching Federal Income Taxation of Individuals and Taxation of Business Entities as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at Washington & Lee Law School.
Magistrate Judge Kim Berg '95 received the prestigious Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentor Award from the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.
Mikelle Bliss '99 joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.
Tuesday Muller-Mondi '00, who most recently served as executive assistant district attorney for Special Victims and Pathways to Justice, has retired after 25 years of service in the Richmond County District Attorney's Office.
Neil Reynolds '03, a 31-year veteran of the New Rochelle Police Department, has been appointed as the city’s new police commissioner.
Mathew Varughese '05 was appointed General Counsel and Secretary of New York University.
Chioma Deere '06, a Trusts & Estates lawyer at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas (SSRGA), was recognized at the 6th Annual International Career and Business Alliance (ICABA) Salutes Women of Impact event for her outstanding contributions as a legal professional and community advocate.
Donna Cook '09 was promoted to Partner at Kaufman Dolowich LLP.
Sean Dixon '09, '11, served as Vice Chair for ABA's SEER for 2025–2026.
Pianpian Wang LLM '13, SJD '24 has published a book, Voluntary Environmental Programs in the United States and China.
Melissa Rodriguez '14 has opened her own law firm, the Law Offices of Melissa Alexis Rodriguez, P.C., focusing on employment law and family law in NY and NJ.
AnaVivian Escalante '15 was named the incoming chief executive officer for Norwalk ACTS. Prior to that, she was the human services director for the city of Norwalk.
Eric Paulk ’16 has been named to Atlanta Magazine’s Atlanta 500 list for 2026, recognizing the most influential leaders shaping Atlanta’s civic, political, and nonprofit landscape. Paulk serves as Chief of Staff at ProGeorgia, where he provides senior strategic leadership to one of the South’s largest statewide civic engagement infrastructures. His work focuses on governance, institutional accountability, and building durable democratic infrastructure, with an emphasis on equity and long-term power building across Georgia. A lawyer whose career bridges civil rights, policy, and movement leadership, Paulk is widely recognized for advancing models of civic engagement that center community-based organizations and protect democratic participation in the South.
Jordan R. Montoya '17 spoke about his role as Executive Director of Diversion & Transition at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, in a feature by Human of NYC Criminal Justice.
Michael McConnell ‘18 recently founded his own law office, The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell. He primarily practices criminal defense in Westchester County, Rockland County, and NYC. His other practice areas include personal injury and workers' compensation.
Kevin Bazur '19 was honored by the New Jersey State Bar Association in recognition of his inspiring pro bono efforts.
Michael Passalacqua '20 was named Senior Adviser to the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Michael Selig.
Barbara Ballan LLM '23, SJD '24 was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Law (tenure track) at Florida International University's College of Law.
Kaylin Bridglall '24 was honored at the annual Westchester County Bar Association dinner as the 2024–2026 Westchester County Bar Foundation Fellow.
Magnolia Joodi '24 joined the firm of Gibbons P.C.
Joe Budd LLM '25 was named Deputy Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA).
Jeremy Perillo ‘25 joined the New York office of Kennedys. During law school, Jeremy served as Productions Editor for the Pace International Law Review.
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Seth Smith '81
Seth Smith passed away on June 13, 2025. After graduating from Pace Haub Law, Seth remained an active and involved alumnus.Stephen Brodsky '82
The Law School mourns the passing of Alumnus and former colleague Stephen Brodsky. Steve joined the University in 1982 after earning his JD from what was then Pace Law School. He spent nearly 40 years working tirelessly for Pace, 24 of them as University Counsel, working under six University presidents. He played an integral role in guiding Pace through defining moments, including the aftermath of September 11th and the COVID-19 pandemic. He was tremendously valued as a leader and colleague, and had a remarkable life outside of his professional accomplishments as well that spanned music, photography, and more.Gail Hintz '92
Gail Hintz passed away on July 12, 2025. Gail was an environmental attorney for New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, serving for over 20 years before retiring in 2014 due to health challenges. Gail was a very loyal and supportive Pace Haub Law alumna.Sarah Moran-Lerch '19
Sarah Moran-Lerch passed away on July 9, 2025.
Pace Haub Law Alumni Magazine
Pace Haub Law Alumni Magazine is published annually under the auspices of the Dean, and is distributed in digital-copy free of charge to alumni and friends of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.
Alumni Newsletters
Alumni of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University receive a quarterly email digest of Law School and alumni news, updates and events. To join our mailing list, please ensure your information is up to date.
An Immediate Impact: The Adele Janow and Judge Sandra Forster Memorial Scholarship
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After the passing of two long-term and dedicated Alumni Board Members, the Honorable Sandra A. Forster ’79 and Adele Lerman Janow ’90, the Alumni Board decided to establish an Immediate Impact Scholarship to commemorate the lives of these esteemed alumnae, The Adele Janow and Judge Sandra Forster Memorial Scholarship. In addition to being lively presences on the Board and extremely committed to the betterment of the Law School, both were respected members of the Westchester community and beyond. Through the generosity of the alumni board along with the family and friends of Judge Forster and Adele Janow, law student Reese Frisch ’26 was awarded the memorial scholarship.
“Attending law school has been the toughest challenge I’ve ever faced, and it hasn’t been easy,” shared scholarship recipient Reese Frisch ’26. “My commitment to justice drives everything I do, shaping both my academic and professional journey as I prepare for a career dedicated to advocacy and meaningful change. I am deeply grateful for the support of this scholarship, which has made it possible for me to continue pursuing my goals.”