Growing up, Samuel Carvalho ’25 LLM dreamed of being a diplomat, an ambition that led him to pursue a law degree at the Universidade Federal do Ceará in Fortaleza, Brazil. However, during his time pursuing an LLB, he had the opportunity to work alongside environmental organizations serving under-resourced communities. This experience was the beginning of a new passion for Samuel.

A turning point came when he participated in a workshop with children in one such community. During this workshop, the children were asked to draw their ideal community. They drew pictures of lush landscapes with an abundance of trees, flowing streams, and green open spaces. The contrast between these visions and the environmental reality surrounding them was stark. This difference lit a fire for Samuel and he became impassioned to be an advocate for people to have access to healthy environments and ecosystems.

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Samuel’s growing commitment to studying environmental law in law school continued when he decided to dedicate his thesis to the study of mangrove ecosystems and the REDD+ initiative, a global program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through forest conservation. After earning his LLB at Universidade Federal do Ceará, Samuel accepted a position as an associate for a tax law firm. Although he found the work interesting, he was still passionate about pursuing a career in environmental law. Samuel decided the next best step for him would be to pursue an LLM in Environmental Law, which led him to the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

Samuel was drawn to Pace Haub Law’s LLM in Environmental Law because of its top national ranking and the depth of its curriculum. He was particularly interested in the courses and opportunities in International Environmental Law, Sustainable Business, and Environmental Law in Commercial Transactions. “When I arrived, I was so impressed by the small class sizes and how the faculty showed genuine care for their students,” recalls Samuel. He is particularly grateful for the mentorship he received from Professor Achinthi Vithanage, who he notes took a meaningful interest in helping him refine his focus within environmental law.

While he was at the Law School, Samuel took every opportunity to be engaged in the law school experience. “I wanted to be involved and learn everything I could,” he shared. Samuel served as the LLM liaison for the Law School’s Environmental Law Society and was selected as a Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholar. He also proudly represented Pace Haub Law as a student ambassador at the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (ABA SEER) conferences and NY Climate Exchange events.

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It was during his final year at the Law School that Samuel learned of an opportunity to enter the SUAD YOUTH COP, a prestigious global mock negotiation competition. Samuel entered the competition with an exchange student from Paris, Séverine Ginot, who studied at Pace Haub Law the previous year. The SUAD YOUTH COP competition brought together teams from around the world for an intense 3-day competition. Samuel and Severine’s ability to navigate complex issues set them apart and helped them secure a spot at COP29, the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. At COP29, Samuel, along with other students, was selected to present an official panel, entitled “Youth Voices for a Sustainable Future: Oceans, Biodiversity, and Energy at COP29.” Samuel attributes his success at COP29 in large part to the preparation he received through his coursework at the Law School. With a strong and diverse academic foundation, he felt confident navigating the high-level conversations and complex issues presented during the competition. “I knew I had a great current knowledge across a wide range of environmental law topics,” he said.

When asked his hope for the future within environmental law, Samuel doesn’t hesitate, “My dream is that we’re able to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement goals and be within 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he shared. “And that people can enjoy the environment and respect the laws that protect it.” Most recently, Samuel was honored as the LLM recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Award, the Law School’s highest honor for academic excellence, service, and leadership. Currently, Samuel is preparing for the bar exam this July and contemplating if he will pursue a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) or begin his professional career. “Whether I pursue an additional educational degree or start my professional career, I will be using the tools I gained at Pace Haub Law to advocate for a more just and sustainable planet,” said Samuel.

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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.”