Turning Passion into Policy: Jeshica Patel ’17

For Jeshica Patel ’17, her desire to pursue a legal career began early and was eventually driven towards a passion for science and environmental policy.

“I knew I wanted to be a lawyer in middle school,” shared Jeshica. While she always had an interest in the law, it was during college that she discovered how her scientific interests could intersect with legal practice. After taking an environmental law class, she changed her major from biology to environmental science and policy in her final year of undergraduate study, with the goal of eventually pursuing environmental law as a career.

It was her passion for the environment that ultimately led Jeshica to Pace Haub Law. In addition to knowing she wanted to practice in New York, she was drawn to the Law School’s nationally recognized environmental law program, its proximity to New York City, and its location near extended family in New Jersey.

Once she was at Pace Haub Law, Jeshica immersed herself in the environmental law program and took advantage of the wide range of opportunities available to students. “I think my experience at the Law School was so great because I got out of it what I put in,” she said. During her first year, she formed lasting friendships with classmates, many of whom lived together in the law school dorms, which helped create a strong sense of community.

I think my experience at the Law School was so great because I got out of it what I put in.

—Jeshica Patel '17

One course that left a lasting impression was Professor Coplan’s Environmental Skills class, where students assumed real-world roles to better understand how environmental laws are applied in practice. Throughout law school, Jeshica participated in nearly every environmental extracurricular opportunity available, exploring different aspects of the field to determine the best fit for her career. Her experiences included volunteering at the Land Use Law Center, participating in the DC Externship Program at EPA headquarters, interning at EPA Region 2, interning at Riverkeeper, and working at the Pace Energy and Climate Center. She also participated in the Environmental Litigation Clinic, completed a judicial externship in an Integrated Domestic Violence court in New York City, and attended the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2016. “All of those experiences helped me learn substantive issues, work on my networking skills, and think creatively about problem-solving,” Patel said.

Jeshica’s first role after graduation came through the Excelsior Service Fellowship Program, where she worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The position introduced her to the policymaking process while setting her up for the next stage of her career. “That placement set my career up for a trajectory I never could have envisioned for myself in the best way possible,” she said.

Today, Jeshica works as an associate at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, where her work combines legal research, policy analysis, and client advocacy. She notes that her daily work varies widely. “Every day is different,” she said. “Some days I’m deep in legal research and memo drafting, while other days I’m working with clients to advance their priorities with various government entities. I get to learn something new every day.”

The skills Jeshica developed at Pace Haub Law continue to serve her well. She notes that a legal drafting course in particular proved valuable, as much of her work today involves drafting research memoranda and legal documents. Her internship and externship experiences also taught her how to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups.

One of the proudest moments of her career came when she was appointed Governor Hochul’s assistant counsel for environment, energy, and agriculture, a role that allowed her to contribute directly to shaping environmental and energy policy in New York State.

Jeshica remains connected to the Law School community and is actively involved with the Pace Environmental Law Alumni Association, often gathering with fellow alumni in Albany and New York City. She also makes herself available to speak with students and recent graduates who are interested in pursuing careers in environmental or energy law. Her advice to current law students and recent graduates is simple: “Keep an open mind. You never know what will happen when you say yes to an opportunity you didn’t expect.”

Outside of work, Jeshica enjoys traveling, rediscovering the joy of reading for fun, and attempting to improve her skills as a gardener, though, she jokes, the results are still to be determined.