Celebrating Excellence: Haub Law’s 2025 Advocacy Affair Honors Achievements and Leadership

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Trial Advocacy Program held the 2025 Advocacy Affair. Ranked #19 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the event was a celebration of the Advocacy Program’s recent successes, the contributors who made it possible, and provided an opportunity for attendees to reconnect with colleagues, coaches, and classmates.

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University students standing in the Tudor Room at the 2025 Advocacy Affair
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University students standing in the Tudor Room at the 2025 Advocacy Affair

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Trial Advocacy Program held the 2025 Advocacy Affair. Ranked #19 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the event was a celebration of the Advocacy Program’s recent successes, the contributors who made it possible, and provided an opportunity for attendees to reconnect with colleagues, coaches, and classmates.

“Our trial advocacy program has had a very successful year,” said Professor Louis Fasulo, Director of Advocacy Programs and Professor of Trial Practice. “The Advocacy Affair gave us an opportunity to recognize the achievements of our Advocacy Program – our students, the dedication of our coaches, and the support from our community. What truly sets Haub Law apart is the deep commitment we all have to each other’s success. I look forward to many more years of excellence and celebration.”

This year's event recognized outstanding individuals and teams whose dedication, skill, and leadership continue to elevate Haub Law’s nationally recognized advocacy program:

The Loretta Musial Service Award

This award is given in the name of Haub Law’s Advocacy Program Administrator Loretta Musial, who has celebrated more than 30 years of service to Pace. She has been instrumental in supporting students through their growth and endeavors throughout their time in law school. The award is presented to individuals who show an immense amount of commitment and dedication to our students. The recipient must show exceptional effort and dedication to our Advocacy Program and must have demonstrated a selfless commitment to the students and their pursuit of excellence as advocates.

  • The Pace Haub Law Communications and External Affairs Department

The Alex Gastman Coach’s Award

The Alex Gastman Coach’s Award is awarded in the name of an outstanding alumnus of Haub Law, whose life and career tragically ended shortly after graduation. Alex Gastman was an outstanding litigator. He was a smart, strategic, fearless, and caring mentor to many. As an alumnus, he was committed to our students in the development of strong advocacy skills. He coached teams, mentored advocates, shared a strong, ethical foundation, and focused on fairness with an emphasis on serving others. Alex’s memory will live on through this annual award to Haub Law alumni who best emulate the dedication and commitment that Alex had to our students and the outstanding advocacy skills that they demonstrate within the broader legal community.

  • Angelica Cancel, Esq. (Coach of the NLLSA Moot Court Competition Team).
  • Michael Pabon, Esq. (Coach of the NLLSA Moot Court Competition Team).
  • Luis Felix, Esq. (Coach of the 2025 Queens DA Mock Trial Competition Team).
  • Matthew Mattesi, Esq. (Coach of the 2024–2025 National Trial League Competition Team).
  • Liam Rattigan (Coach of the 2024–2025 National Trial League Competition Team).
  • Joseph Demonte (Coach of the 2024–2025 National Trial League Competition Team).
  • Daniel Masi, Esq. (Coach of the Villanova Baseball Filing Day Competition Team and the Tulane International Baseball Arbitration Competition Team).

The Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award

This award recognizes those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding advocacy skills, rigorous preparation, and deep dedication to the Haub Law Advocacy Program.

  • Marc Bisogno (ADR)
  • Madison Lane (Mock Trial)
  • Tyler Ford (Moot Court)

The John C. Meringolo Unsung Hero Award

This award is presented in recognition of those whose exceptional dedication, quiet leadership, and steadfast commitment to the ideals of excellence have made a profound and enduring impact on the Haub Law Advocacy Program during the 2024–2025 academic year. This award honors the tireless efforts of a member of our community whose contributions, though often carried out behind the scenes, have been integral to the success and advancement of the program. Through resilience, humility, and an unwavering sense of purpose, the recipient has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service. This award is given in loving memory of the late John C. Meringolo, a proud father of twin boys, devoted husband to alumna Kristen Mogavero, dear friend to many, and a valued former adjunct professor at Haub Law.

  • Alexandra Tagliamonti

The Dean Michelle Simon Leadership Award

This award recognizes and honors the outstanding and exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication, and invaluable contributions to the continued success of the Haub Law Advocacy Program for the 2024–2025 academic year.

  • Hannah Conlon
  • Tyler Ford
  • Madison Lane
  • Samara Pizarro

The Professor Keith Sullivan Award

The Professor Keith Sullivan Award recognizes the recipients’ exceptional professionalism, integrity, and performance in advocacy competitions as a representative of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University for the 2024–2025 academic year.

  • Katerina Balukas
  • Marc Bisogno
  • Steven Caputo
  • Stacey Colangelo
  • Hannah Conlon
  • Michael Doukas
  • Patrick Duffy
  • Tyler Ford
  • Priscilla Holloway
  • Emily Hunt
  • Eva Juncaj
  • Tyler Justic
  • Madison Lane
  • Paige Padula
  • Julia Stueber
Contains Video
No

More From Pace

Bringing the NY Fed President to Campus: A Student-Led Pace Success Story

Dyson College of Arts and Science

When Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams visited Pace, it was more than a campus event. It was a student-driven moment that showcased the impact of our Economics program and the strength of our award-winning Fed Challenge team.

President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, speaking on stage with Pace University College Federal Reserve Challenge team co-captain and Economics student Suraj Sharma
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, speaking on stage with Pace University College Federal Reserve Challenge team co-captain and Economics student Suraj Sharma
Antonia Gentile

When the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, spoke at Pace University in February, it wasn’t just another campus event—it was the result of bold initiative, deep student engagement, and a passion for economics that runs deep within the Economics department and its many experiential learning offerings.

In recognition of Pace‘s consistent award-winning performance in the College Federal Reserve Challenge, Williams had accepted an invitation from Fed team co-captains Liam Chentoufi ’25, Economics, and Suraj Sharma '25, '26, Business Economics, BS/Applied Quantitative Economic Analysis, MS, with backing from Professor Gregory Colman, PhD, and Professor and Chair Anna Shostya, PhD, as well as higher administration, to come to the New York City campus.

Image
Pace University students listening and watching President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, speaking

He delivered optimistic remarks on monetary policy, inflation, and the US economy, while also acknowledging the many connections the Fed has had with Pace over the years, going beyond a shared location in lower Manhattan, and including employment of more than 100 proud alumni.

What transpired prior to his speech, however, was the icing on the cake for Pace students.

The event included a private Q&A in which Williams spoke to the Economics Society and Women in Economics student organizations (presidents Kristina Krichmaryov ’26, and Kristina Nasteva ’26, respectively, co-organized the event), in which he answered questions on both policy and his journey to Fed president—inspired by Janet Yellen, former chair of the US Federal Reserve.

Brooklyn Bynum ’26, Business Economics, BS/Applied Quantitative Economics, MS, said of the event, “Being able to speak to one of the most brilliant economists of our time was an invaluable experience. After studying the Federal Reserve's work and monetary policy in depth for the last year, it was incredible to speak to one of the people making the decisions.”

For student colleague Sharma, also a member of the Economics Society, the visit was both a significant and exemplary aspect of his Pace Path.

Image
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, standing next to Pace University College Federal Reserve Challenge team co-captain and Economics student Suraj Sharma

“I came to Pace because of the Fed Challenge team. It’s more than academics — it’s macro in the real world, public speaking, and research. The Fed team, Economics Society, and faculty support have defined my college experience,” he said.

Whether it is hosting prominent economists (Krichmaryov and Nasteva also brought renown labor economist Daniel Hamermesh to campus in October 2024), to placing students in top financial firms, Pace’s economics program punches well above its weight.

“We’re not an Ivy,” Colman said, “but our students are outcompeting Ivy grads when it comes to macro. And this is the most rewarding part of teaching. They’re not just learning—they’re doing.”

Contains Video
No

More from Pace

Related Profiles

Pace AMA Shines on International Stage at 2025 AMA Conference

Lubin School of Business
Pace Path/Student Success

Pace AMA brought home major wins from the 2025 AMA International Collegiate Conference—top ten in the world and second place in Design Lab. They also led a session on professional development, showcasing the chapter’s commitment to real-world learning.

Stage at the 2025 AMA Conference.
Pace University's AMA Chapter posing for a group photo.
Alyssa Cressotti

The Pace University chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) is proud to announce its incredible success at the 2025 AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans—one of the premier events for marketing students around the globe. Competing among more than 330 collegiate chapters worldwide, Pace AMA earned a coveted spot in the Top 10 globally, and clinched second place in the Design Lab competition.

Image
Pace AMA Chapter posing for a group photo at the 2025 Conference.

This year’s conference, themed Evolve, focused on growth, innovation, and the future of marketing. Over three dynamic days, students engaged in high-level competitions, chapter development activities, career-building workshops, and powerful networking opportunities.

Adding to their achievements, the Pace AMA chapter was also invited to present on Professional Development, showcasing their innovative approach to helping members build real-world skills through office tours, panel discussions, workshops, and curated networking events.

“Our time in New Orleans was filled with learning, growth, and connection,” said Francis Minguez '25. “We’re so proud to represent Pace on an international stage and can’t wait to bring all our insights back to campus.”

This milestone reflects Pace’s continued commitment to excellence, experiential learning, and empowering students to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Congratulations to our Pace AMA team!

Contains Video
No

More from Pace

Students

At Pace University, Go-Getters don’t just learn—they lead. And Riya Golani (MS in Computer Science ’25) is no exception. As a master’s student at the Seidenberg School, she’s turning challenges into milestones, passion into purpose, and a dream of NYC into a career at Amazon.

Faculty and Staff

On April 8, 2025, the 11th Annual Disability Film Festival was held at Pace University, welcoming guests, students, and members of the broader New York City community to the University’s downtown campus. This year’s festival continued its tradition of celebrating the lived experiences of people with disabilities in film.

Alumni

From volunteering during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to finishing her degree, Nurse Practitioner Emily Fitzgerald’s journey to graduation embodies a #PaceGoGetter.

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Professor Margot Pollans Explores “Inundations” in Thought-Provoking James D. Hopkins Memorial Lecture

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Professor Margot Pollans delivered the James D. Hopkins Memorial Lecture on Monday, April 21, on "Inundations: Pain, Bodies, and the Law." Dean Horace Anderson appointed Professor Pollans as the James D. Hopkins Professor of Law for the 2023–2025 term. During the holder's term, the James D. Hopkins Professor delivers a lecture that is open to the entire law school community and members of the public.

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Professor Margot Pollans presenting the 2025 Hopkins Lecture
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Professor Margot Pollans presenting the 2025 Hopkins Lecture

Professor Margot Pollans delivered the James D. Hopkins Memorial Lecture on Monday, April 21, on "Inundations: Pain, Bodies, and the Law." Dean Horace Anderson appointed Professor Pollans as the James D. Hopkins Professor of Law for the 2023–2025 term. During the holder's term, the James D. Hopkins Professor delivers a lecture that is open to the entire law school community and members of the public.

Professor Pollans opened her lecture outlining the different contexts in which people experience physical inundation such as toxic exposure, gun violence, radiation, and noise. “How well legal regimes responds to this condition is, to me, a really important metric of good governance,” she explained. “Here in the United States, inundation management does not paint a picture of good governance, and it has not for a very long time. Instead, for decades, it has been priming us to become fascists subjects.”

Professor Pollans defined inundation and made the case that it is an essential unit of analysis. She offered a taxonomy of regulatory approaches to inundation, explaining that little current law prevents inundation. Instead, it facilitates individuals who want to protect themselves. And, finally, she explored the consequences of these approaches for both individuals and regulators. Throughout her lecture, Professor Pollans offered specific examples of inundation, many of which translate into our everyday life. She observed that, “[i]nundation includes a broad range of harms, but what they all have in common is that they all flow from the permeability of the human body.”

Professor Pollans concluded her remarks with the following words: “For as long as bodies remain permeable, physical inundation remains a critical unit of analysis for human experience. Permeability creates mutual dependence. Self-shielding serves primarily to drive us further apart. We have only to look at the long-term effects of covid lockdown to see a society-wide experiment with this phenomenon. Resisting fascism will require profound collective action. Shield and cleanup regimes did not cause fascism, but I do think that they have weakened our capacity for collective action. I invite you to prove me wrong.”

Professor Margot Pollans joined Haub Law’s faculty in 2015. She is the Faculty Director of the Pace Food Law Center and, during her time at Haub Law, Professor Pollans has been a leader in building the national reputation of the Pace Food Law Center. She is currently the Joseph P. D’Alessandro Faculty Scholar and previously, she served as the Shamik and Adrienne Trivedi Faculty Scholar from 2020–2022. She teaches several classes including Agriculture Law and the Environment, Food Systems & the Environment, and Administrative Law.

Professor Pollans is an accomplished scholar whose primary research interests lie in the areas of food and agriculture law, administrative law and social justice. Her academic work has appeared in a variety of journals including in the California Law Review, Michigan Law Review, the Ohio State Law Journal, the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, and the Harvard Environmental Law Review. She is also the co-author of a casebook, Food Law: Cases & Materials. In 2022, she was named the recipient of Haub Law’s distinguished Goettel Prize for Faculty Scholarship for her article, "Eaters, Powerless by Design" published by Michigan Law Review (120 Mich. L. Rev. 643 (2022)).

The title of James D. Hopkins Professor of Law is awarded to a member of the faculty for a two-year term in recognition of outstanding scholarship and teaching. The designation is among the Law School’s most significant faculty honors. The Hopkins Professor is selected by the Dean in consultation with the former holders of the Hopkins Chair. The prior James D. Hopkins Professor of Law for the 2021–2023 term was Professor Noa Ben-Asher.

Contains Video
No

More From Pace

Related Profiles

From a Night at the Museum to Days at Haub Law

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Meet Jacob Cherry, a 1L at Haub Law whose path to legal education is anything but typical. As a child actor, Jacob shared the screen with stars like Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum—but today, he’s traded in his SAG card for his Pace Library Card where you’ll find him studying for his Contracts, Civil Procedure, and Torts classes.

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University student Jacob Cherry
Image
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University student Jacob Cherry

Meet Jacob Cherry, a 1L at Haub Law whose path to legal education is anything but typical. As a child actor, Jacob shared the screen with stars like Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum—but today, he’s traded in his SAG card for his Pace Library Card where you’ll find him studying for his Contracts, Civil Procedure, and Torts classes.

Originally from New Jersey, Jacob spent much of his youth traveling between New York and Los Angeles for acting. But when he started thinking differently about his future, it was his visit to Haub Law’s Accepted Students Day that sparked a new passion.

“Based on the energy and attitude of the faculty and students, I was immediately drawn to Haub Law,” shared Jacob. “The focus on camaraderie here really spoke to me—it set the school apart.”

Since starting law school, Jacob has fully embraced the Haub Law community. He joined SEALS (the Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law Society) and was elected as a 1L representative. He regularly connects with classmates through study groups and even launched a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, creating a fun and collaborative space for students to unwind and bond outside of class.

Jacob has also found meaningful mentorship by taking advantage of office hours with his professors, who are always willing to discuss course materials or provide advice on his career goals. Those conversations, he says, have been instrumental in shaping his early experience at Haub Law.

Looking ahead, Jacob is interested in litigation and trial advocacy, and excited to be taking Entertainment Law next semester—all skills that align with his previous experience as an actor and will provide a chance to blend his past and present in meaningful ways.

Jacob was recently featured in People magazine about his journey from film sets to the halls of law school, written by another Haub Law student, 1L Flex student Tereza Shkurtaj.

Contains Video
No

More From Pace

Higher Education’s AI Imperative: Why Universities Must Lead

Pace President

Pace President Marvin Krislov pens an op-ed in Forbes, calling on higher education institutions to lead the AI revolution with purpose, access, and equity. He highlights how Pace is embedding AI across disciplines—from first-year courses to senior capstones—and urges universities to make AI literacy a core part of academic and operational strategy.

Pace University president, Marvin krislov in his office
Contains Video
No
In The Media

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Shares Yemen Attack Details In Second Signal chat

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Professor John Bandler speaks to Spectrum News NY1, breaking down the legal and cybersecurity implications of leaked messages from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Signal chat.

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Professor, John Bandler
Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

South Korea Deeply Divided Ahead Of June Election

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Dyson Professor Seong Jae Min examines the roots of South Korea’s deep political polarization ahead of the June election with DW.

Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles

What Trump’s Assault on Law and Lawyers Means for Law Schools

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Professor Gershman writes a piece in the New York Law Journal exploring the erosion of legal norms and the threats facing law schools today.

Professor of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Bennett L. Gershman,
Contains Video
No
In The Media
Related Profiles
Subscribe to