Joe Seminara '25: Clerkship Bound

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From student leader to future law clerk, Joe Seminara '25 proves that determination and mentorship go a long way in law school.

Joe Seminara ’25 has a challenging undergraduate constitutional law class to thank for propelling his law school journey. “I come from a large Italian family,” shared Joe. “I was the first in my family to graduate from college. There are currently no lawyers in my family or even extended family. I always gravitate to things that I find challenging, and going to law school was just that. When I was a sophomore in college, I took Constitutional Law which was, at the time, known as one of the most challenging classes at my college. I spent hours just trying to understand the fundamentals of the class, feeling like I’d never make it to the final, when my professor asked me if I had any aspirations for law school. While I sort of laughed at his question, the idea stuck and after some research, I decided to pursue a legal education.”

Joe chose the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University because of its location close to his home and the school’s reputation for producing successful attorneys. “Pace Haub Law exceeded every single expectation I had,” said Joe. “I really appreciate the sense of community. It never felt like a competition; everyone wants to see each other succeed. Pace Haub Law alumni were also generous with their time and advice to current law students.”

Generosity of time extended to the faculty as well, recalls Joe. “Professor Bridget Crawford was an excellent mentor. She believed in me when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself.” After excelling in her Federal Income Tax course, she asked Joe to serve as her Teaching Assistant – an opportunity that surprised and motivated him. Joe excelled once again and went on to become Professor Crawford’s Teaching Assistant for Wills, Trusts & Estates as well. “Professor Crawford encouraged me to put my best foot forward and truly made me feel like there was a place for me at the Law School to not just be a student, but to contribute to something larger and help others,” shared Joe.

Professor Crawford encouraged me to put my best foot forward and truly made me feel like there was a place for me at the Law School to not just be a student, but to contribute to something larger and help others.

Joe fully immersed himself in academic and extracurricular life at the Law School. In addition to serving as a Teaching Assistant, he was a Dean’s Scholar, Articles Editor for the Pace International Law Review, and a participant in the Advocacy Program’s ABA Law Student Tax Challenge. Joe also spent his 1L and 2L summers working at firms and gaining exposure to varied areas of law. “I had so many diverse experiences during my time in law school, which really helped shape my professional goals.”

Joe’s hard work paid off. After he takes the bar exam he will begin as an Assistant Law Clerk for a New York Court of Appeals Judge, a very coveted and prestigious opportunity within New York’s highest court. After his clerkship, he hopes to join a law firm in New York City.

His advice for success to future law students is simple: “Get involved. Network. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable at times. Take varied classes. Pursue every opportunity available. Law school is hard. However, if you are willing to put the time in you will be rewarded.”