#PaceGoGetters: Justin Winley

Dyson College of Arts and Science
New York City
Pace Path/Student Success
Return on Investment

"You're empowered to create your own experience, to tailor it around the impact that you want to make here on campus," says Film and Screen Studies student Justin Winley. "I'm building a community that I can draw on even after I graduate."

nyc street with view into a building through windows
young man looking into the viewfinder of a vintage camera

"You're empowered to create your own experience, to tailor it around the impact that you want to make here on campus," says Film and Screen Studies student Justin Winley. "I'm building a community that I can draw on even after I graduate."

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Jennifer Kelly-Kennedy '22 An Impactful Experience

Career Services/Internships
Elisabeth Haub School of Law
Environmental
Pace Path/Student Success

Jennifer Kelly-Kennedy knew that she wanted to be a lawyer from an early age. Now, a soon to be graduate, we asked Jennifer to discuss her Haub Law experience and post-graduation plans with us in this Q+A.

headshot of student Jennifer Kelly Kennedy
Headshot of law student Jennifer Kelly Kennedy

Jennifer Kelly-Kennedy knew that she wanted to be a lawyer from an early age. After graduating from Catholic University and majoring in politics, Jennifer spent a few years gaining work experience before studying for the LSAT and applying to law school. Set on focusing on environmental law, she knew that Haub Law was the best option for her. Haub Law did not disappoint, as she experienced a variety of positive internship placements throughout her three years. Now, a soon to be graduate, we asked Jennifer to discuss her Haub Law experience and post-graduation plans with us in this Q+A.

What brought you to law school and Pace in particular?

I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, from an early age. Neither of my parents nor any of my grandparents were lawyers, but for some reason or another I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My mom was a nurse and my dad an accountant, and they just wanted the best for me. Growing up, my mom always told me “If you have the ability to help other people, then you have the responsibility to help other people.” And this has always been the mantra I’ve tried to follow in my career, which is why I love environmental law.

My cousin is a successful Haub Law graduate, and she too specialized in environmental law, so it was an easy decision when I chose the #1 ranked Environmental Law program in the country.

You are now a 3L, what experiences from your time at Pace were most impactful?

I enjoyed all of my law school internships and clinic experiences. The spring of my 1L year, I was a research assistant in the Land Use Law Center for Professor John Nolon. There, I assisted Professor Nolon with research for a law review article that had been accepted for publication. During my 1L summer, I was the Environmental Law Clerk at PSEG, where I assisted attorneys in Superfund litigation work. I was also a judicial intern for a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York in the spring of my 2L year, where I performed citation checks, case law research, and helped draft a Report and Recommendation regarding a federal habeas corpus petition. I was also the Vice-Chair of the Judges Committee for NELMCC as a 2L, where I learned the importance of patience when helping organize a large, virtual event.

My 2L summer I interned at the EPA Region 2 in their NJ Superfund Division, where I did a lot of legal research on a variety of issues, including CERCLA’s petroleum exclusion, as well as corporate liability under the Office of Alien Property Custodian. The fall semester of my 3L year, I was a student attorney in the Food and Beverage Law Clinic, where I provided transactional legal services for a beginning farmer project in upstate New York, as well as performed legal research and analysis on U.S. Trademarks, preparing applications for trademark filings, all under the guidance of Professor Jonathan Brown.

Additionally, I’ve been a member of Pace Environmental Law Review for the past two years, as a Junior Associate as a 2L, and Managing Editor as a 3L. This year, PELR hosted a symposium, in which we invited eight panelists to speak on the topic of Labor and Environment: Envisioning a Green New Deal.

I say all this to drive the point home that, I am proud of all of these experiences and grateful to have had so many opportunities at Haub Law, as I’ve learned something different from each one, and made great connections along the way.

I have also been very fortunate to have had many professors at Pace that have made an impact on me, but two specifically stick out: Professor Katrina Kuh, who I had as a 1L for Torts, as well as being just a great mentor to me in the environmental program and as I wrote my law review note; and Professor Alissa Bauer, my 1L Legal Skills and AAA professor, who taught me to be the best legal writer I can and have more confidence in my skills. I am truly very thankful for their kindness and guidance.

I am proud of all of these experiences and grateful to have had so many opportunities at Haub Law, as I’ve learned something different from each one, and made great connections along the way.

What are your plans post-graduation?

I have accepted a post-grad position as an Honors Attorney at the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. I am beyond thrilled to be working for the federal government again, this time as an attorney. It is a two-year position, where the Honors Attorneys rotate between the different Administrations (FAA, FTA, Office of General Counsel, etc.) every few months, in order to get a better sense of what each division does. I am excited to incorporate all of my environmental law experience and knowledge in with my future work at the DOT. Environmental issues and DOT projects go hand-in-hand, and after the recently passed Infrastructure Bill, the DOT is going to be busier than ever! For me, this is a dream job, and I cannot be more thankful to the many people that have helped me along the way. I’m not sure if I would have been as competitive of a candidate if I weren’t a Pace environmental law student.

What is your advice for future law students?

Be kind, we’re all in this together, and the law community, especially the environmental law community is smaller than you think, so maintaining positive relationships with colleagues is crucial. Stay humble, everyone has good days as well as bad. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a Haub Law alum and learn from their experiences. Take advantage of opportunities presented to you, even if you don’t think it’s what you’re interested in, and don’t be discouraged if setbacks happen. Trust the process!

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Dyson College of Arts and Science

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Evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine keeps mounting. Here's what could happen next.

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

“The charges against Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi were focused,” and the case proceeded quickly, said Alexander K. A. Greenawalt, a law professor at Pace University. “The ICC could use more cases like that one, as the more typical prosecutions are very resource-intensive and take years. That has limited the number of cases the court has been able to process.”

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In The Media

Pace University to Premiere Tide to Table Documentary at Jacob Burns Film Center on May 10

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Pace University’s documentary film team – PaceDocs – is set to premiere Tide to Table: The Remarkable Journey of Oysters at 7:00 p.m. on May 10 at the Jacob Burns Film Center. It will be the first in-person premiere for the program since 2019, before the pandemic, and continues a distinguished tradition of producing documentaries that shine a light on important environmental issues. Free tickets for the reception and screening are available, though space is limited.

Pace students looking for oysters in a bay
Pace students on the shore looking for oysters

The PaceDocs Team focuses its film on the remarkable journey of oysters, their farmers, and their role in cleaning the water

Pace University’s documentary film team – PaceDocs – is set to premiere Tide to Table: The Remarkable Journey of Oysters at 7:00 p.m. on May 10 at the Jacob Burns Film Center.

It will be the first in-person premiere for the program since 2019, before the pandemic, and continues a distinguished tradition of producing documentaries that shine a light on important environmental issues. Free tickets for the reception and screening are available, though space is limited.

Tide to Table documents how oysters rely on the ebb and flow of the tide for flavor. One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day; their survival is determined by their farmers, deeply rooted in their tradition and connection to the sea. The documentary, filmed on-location across the flats of Cape Cod, the shores of Connecticut’s Long Island Sound, and the urban waterways of New York City, features scientists, historians, shellfish constables, and farmers. It explores the serendipitous relationship between nature, oyster farmers, modern aquaculture technology, and a movement to better understand their ecological value, while showing how oysters are thriving in areas such as Cape Cod and being restored in once depleted regions such as Connecticut and New York City as a means of improving water quality.

“The PaceDocs team, under the leadership of Professor Maria Luskay, has once again produced an extraordinary, meaningful, and professional film,” said Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University. “ ‘Tide to Table’ is another great example of the hands-on experience and valuable environmental lessons that Pace students receive when they take this course. I marvel at the consistent excellence and talent in this program and am incredibly impressed by this group of budding filmmakers.”

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pace professor speaking to a film crew on the shore of the ocean

The documentary is produced by Professors Luskay and Lou Guarneri. The popular class, ‘Producing the Documentary,’ is part of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University’s highly regarded film program that requires students complete a full-length environmentally themed documentary within 14 weeks. During the process, they learn teamwork, problem-solving, research, and organization, along with technical skills such as lighting, sound, camera work, interviewing, and other real-life lessons necessary to complete a film.

“It’s gratifying to be filming with students on location and sharing this experience with them once again,” said Professor Luskay. “Throughout it all, we brought together a diverse group of students with a full schedule of work. In the process, we not only learned first-hand about the plight of the oyster farmer braving the elements, but also the grit and determination required to complete the film on a tight deadline. It was an incredibly rewarding experience for us.”

Students, a mix of graduate and undergraduate students, marveled at what it was like to work on and produce a professional-caliber film.

“One of the great things about this course is that it was the first time in my life where I’ve done consecutives days, even weeks, in a real film environment,” said Diego Mallens, a junior cinema and filmmaking major from Miami, Fla. “It was interesting to learn about the topic, and it was great to learn from professionals. Within days of meeting the team members, we bonded over a common goal and produced a film we can all be proud of.”

“This was great hands-on experience,” said Nicole Manning, a digital cinema and filmmaking major from New Fairfield, Conn. who is exploring careers in film and television production. “This is the most practical and productive class you can take because you have to think like a professional and apply skills you’ve learned in class. This was a great experience and something I’m putting on my resume and showing potential employers.”

In recent years, Pace filmmakers have produced documentaries around the globe focusing on a number of topics, including the importance of bees as pollinators in our food supply (2021); the impact of earthquakes in Hawaii (2019); the endurance of the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); reviving Curacao’s coral reefs (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

“Dyson College’s student filmmakers have produced another moving documentary that delves into an important ecological issue,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “The students learn and perfect their craft while educating us all. I am so moved by the talents of this team and the compelling film they have made. Congratulations to them and Professors Luskay and Guarneri for another impressive PaceDocs production.”

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

Pace University’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

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In The Media

More Press Releases

Congresswoman Grace Meng to Deliver Law School 2022 Commencement Address to Graduates and Alumni

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is pleased to announce that U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng will deliver the law school’s commencement address and receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at its 2022 Commencement, to be held on May 16, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. This is the first year that the law school will join Pace University for a university-wide commencement celebration of all Pace graduates. The ceremony will also include recognition of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, who were not able to have a traditional celebration due to pandemic-related restrictions.

headshot U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng
Image
headshot Congresswoman Grace Meng

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is pleased to announce that U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng will deliver the law school’s commencement address and receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at its 2022 Commencement, to be held on May 16, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. This is the first year that the law school will join Pace University for a university-wide commencement celebration of all Pace graduates. The ceremony will also include recognition of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, who were not able to have a traditional celebration due to pandemic-related restrictions.

Additionally, New York City Mayor Eric Adams will address all graduates at the University’s main ceremony to be held prior to the law school’s commencement ceremony, where he will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Finance and philanthropy leader Baroness Ariane de Rothschild, a Pace alumna, will also be recognized with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa.

“Congresswoman Meng is a dedicated public servant with a long and accomplished career as a lawyer and legislator. Among her outstanding work, she he has tirelessly advocated for justice and equality for people of all backgrounds and genders,” said Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. “She is an incredible role model to our students and recent graduates and we are pleased to welcome her to deliver the Law School’s Commencement Ceremony address.”

U.S. Representative Meng is serving her fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and represents the borough of Queens in the Sixth Congressional District of New York. She is the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State, and the first female member from Queens since former Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.

She is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and is Vice Chair of its Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She also sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, as well as the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. She is a founder and Co-Chair of Kids’ Safety Caucus, which promotes child-safety issues.

Rep. Meng has been responsible for several pieces of legislation including bills protecting religious freedom, making Queens historic sites part of the National Park Service, striking “Oriental” from federal law, and protecting public housing residents from the cold. Also signed into law were her measures to assist veterans, and to improve consumer protections for children.

As a second-generation Chinese American, she has spoken out against anti-Asian violence, and she has been a tireless advocate of immigrants’ rights and immigration reform. She has also made a bold public stand against sexual assault and harassment of women, and in support of the #MeToo movement.

Parts of her Menstrual Equity for All Act have led to legislation making menstrual products available for incarcerated and detained individuals, allowing FEMA funds to be used to purchase menstrual products for those in need after natural disasters, and making menstrual products eligible for Flexible Spending Account purchases. Her work has served as an example to faculty and students at Haub Law, and last year the law school’s Women’s Association of Law Students recognized her with its annual Pioneer of Justice Award.

Born and raised in Queens, Rep. Meng attended local schools and graduated from Stuyvesant High School and the University of Michigan. She then earned a law degree from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. She worked as a public-interest lawyer before entering public service as a member of the New York State Assembly, then Congress.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed at 12:00 p.m. EST on Monday, May 16, 2022.

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Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Honors Bronx DA Darcel D. Clark and the Office of the Bronx District Attorney for Prosecutorial Excellence

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University awarded Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office with the 2022 Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence at an award ceremony held at the law school on Tuesday, April 26. The event brought together District Attorneys and Assistant District Attorneys from across the region and state, civic leaders, members of the judiciary, and the Haub Law community to recognize the outstanding contributions of the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in the field of criminal prosecution and excellence in prosecutorial practice.

Members of the Office of the Bronx District Attorney with (front, middle) Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.
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Members of the Office of the Bronx District Attorney with (front, middle) Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.
Members of the Office of the Bronx District Attorney with (front, middle) Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University awarded Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office with the 2022 Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence at an award ceremony held at the law school on Tuesday, April 26. The event brought together District Attorneys and Assistant District Attorneys from across the region and state, civic leaders, members of the judiciary, and the Haub Law community to recognize the outstanding contributions of the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in the field of criminal prosecution and excellence in prosecutorial practice.

“District Attorney Clark and the Office of the Bronx District Attorney embody the true meaning of public service and have dedicated their careers to pursuing a fair and just criminal justice system for all people of the Bronx, with an emphasis on criminal justice reform,” said Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. “We are pleased to recognize her with the Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence, along with the entire Bronx DA’s office, many of whose member we are proud to call Haub Law alumni.”

The award was presented by Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M, whose generous gift has endowed the annual prize. “District Attorney Clark’s remarkable career has been a testament to the values and commitment to equal justice that we seek to honor with this award,” said Robert S. Tucker. “DA Clark’s push to crack down on gun crimes and gang violence has been matched only by her tireless efforts to achieve true criminal justice reform and fairness for residents of the Bronx. She has fought for the rights of the mentally ill to ensure that the system seeks treatment whenever possible before jail. She has been a steadfast champion of ethics and integrity and has worked hard to give our prosecutors the resources and support they need to keep our city safe. We are so grateful to present her with this award as recognition of her extraordinary achievements in public service.”

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law has had the privilege to enjoy a long history with District Attorney Clark and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. In 2016, DA Clark was honored by Haub Law with the Pioneer of Justice Award which recognizes the achievement of phenomenal women in our society who are breaking glass ceilings and laying down foundations for a more equal future. Additionally, DA Clark has participated in several events at the law school, including a prosecution roundtable sponsored by Haub Law’s Criminal Law Society. Throughout the years, dozens of Haub Law alumni have worked at the Bronx County District Attorney’s office, with 64 currently employed in every capacity from Line Assistant to Chief of Staff.

“It’s not easy being a prosecutor,” said the Bronx DA’s Chief of Staff Odalys Alonso, a Haub Law Alumnus, who accepted the award along with DA Clark and Derek Lynton, Chief Assistant DA. She attributed their success to the mission that DA Clark has established as a guiding principal for the Office: Pursuing Justice with Integrity. “We look to Pace to bring us the brightest, the smartest and the most creative to help us achieve this,” she added.

DA Clark acknowledged the challenges of the past two years with rising crime rates throughout New York City and limited staff to meet the demand. The pandemic has especially impacted the Bronx, a county that has been historically underserved.

“I am so blessed to run an office full of attorneys and professional staff who really love the work that we do for the people of the Bronx. [They] strive every day to do what is right for public safety and for a fair justice system,” said DA Clark. “Our priority has always been to make sure we give a voice to our victims and their families. We know we have to be tough on those who are causing the harm in our community. But we also seek alternatives for those who suffer from afflictions that cause them to come into the criminal justice system and give second chances to those who really need them.”

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Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Tony Jordan, NY Washington County District Attorney and Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M.
Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Tony Jordan, NY Washington County District Attorney and Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M.

Darcel Clark became District Attorney for Bronx County on January 1, 2016. She is the first woman in that position and the first African-American woman to be elected a District Attorney in New York State. Since serving as District Attorney, Clark has enacted a vertical prosecution model to streamline the criminal charging process, while also implementing reforms to address wrongful convictions and administrative case backlogs. Since becoming elected, she has opened the Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau focused on investigating crimes committed by inmates and visitors, the Public Integrity Bureau which investigates corruption and crimes by public servants, government employees and elected officials, and the Conviction Integrity Bureau. The Conviction Integrity Bureau was created when DA Clark took office and, in addition to handling wrongful convictions, it recently moved to dismiss 500 old convictions that relied on a detective who was later charged with perjury. She has also pioneered initiatives focused on drug avoidance and recovery, a Bronx Community Justice program, and focused many of her efforts on positively engaging the Bronx community, such as the Saturday Night Lights program, where kids can play basketball and soccer or engage in other activities in a free, safe place.

Clark is co-chair of Prosecutors Against Gun Violence, and a Board Member of both the National District Attorneys Association and the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. Before her election as District Attorney, Clark served as an Associate Justice for the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department; a New York State Supreme Court Justice in Bronx County; and a Criminal Court Judge in Bronx and New York Counties. She begin her legal career at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted drug felonies, violent crimes and homicides, and eventually served as a Supervising Assistant District Attorney in the Narcotics Bureau and the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Court Bureau. A lifelong Bronx resident, Clark was raised in public housing and educated in public schools. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Boston College, where she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees, and her law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence is awarded annually to an individual or a group of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of criminal prosecution and who demonstrate excellence in prosecutorial practice. Honorees are selected each year by a jury comprised of former prosecutors and faculty members from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The award ceremony brings together Assistant District Attorneys from across the region and state, civic leaders, members of the judiciary, New York City government and the Haub Law community to recognize these distinguished individuals for their work. The prize is made possible by the generous support of Haub Law alumnus and Pace University Board of Trustees member Robert S. Tucker. Past Award Recipients include, Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney, Barbara Underwood, New York Attorney General, and Richard Brown, Queens District Attorney.

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1906 Challenge

On April 27 and 28, for 1,906 minutes, Pace alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff will make their investment in the lives of Pace students through scholarships, financial aid, student aid, and professional growth. We're challenging YOU to help us make our $150,000 goal.

students sitting on lawn hanging out
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Haub Law team reaches semi-finals in American Association for Justice National Final Competition

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Reigning National Finalists, Haub Law’s Trial Advocacy team was back at this year’s American Association for Justice (AAJ) National Final Competition for the second year in a row. From April 8–10, 2022, Haub Law faced off against the top 20 Regional Winners from across the country. The Haub Law team, consisting of Mattison Stewart (3L), Regina Rubino (3L), Kathryn Facelle (2L), and Michael McNally (2L), along with their trial technician Angelo Spedafino (3L), and their coaches AJ Muller, Esq. and Mike Luterzo, Esq., were ranked as the first seed in the preliminary rounds of the national competition as they embarked on another run for the National Championship.

Pictured: Michael McNally, Mike Luterzo, Esq., Regina Rubino, AJ Muller, Esq., Mattison Stewart, Kathryn Facelle, Angelo Spedafino
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Pictured: Michael McNally, Mike Luterzo, Esq., Regina Rubino, AJ Muller, Esq., Mattison Stewart, Kathryn Facelle, Angelo Spedafino
Pictured: Michael McNally, Mike Luterzo, Esq., Regina Rubino, AJ Muller, Esq., Mattison Stewart, Kathryn Facelle, Angelo Spedafino

Reigning National Finalists, Haub Law’s Trial Advocacy team was back at this year’s American Association for Justice (AAJ) National Final Competition for the second year in a row. From April 8–10, 2022, Haub Law faced off against the top 20 Regional Winners from across the country. The Haub Law team, consisting of Mattison Stewart (3L), Regina Rubino (3L), Kathryn Facelle (2L), and Michael McNally (2L), along with their trial technician Angelo Spedafino (3L), and their coaches AJ Muller, Esq. and Mike Luterzo, Esq., were ranked as the first seed in the preliminary rounds of the national competition as they embarked on another run for the National Championship.

Ultimately, the Haub Law team advanced to the semi-finals, losing only to UCLA, the current and past champion, by a spilt decision with a tiebreaker deciding the round. The superstar team advanced to the National Finals after placing as Regional Champions just one month before out of a field of 160 competing teams from across the nation. This past fall, the team also advanced to the National Semi-Finals of the All-Star Bracket Challenge, placing in the Top 4 out of 64 of the nation’s top teams. Additionally, last spring, the team placed as National Finalists in the AAJ, ranking them 2nd out of 192 teams nationally.

“This is an outstanding group of dedicated and talented students. The 3Ls on this team have been AAJ Regional Champions in back-to-back years, advancing the National Final round (2021) and Semi-Final Round (2022), solidifying Pace’s reputation among the top trial advocacy program in the country,” said head coach and mentor, Adjunct Professor AJ Muller, Esq. “Adding to that yet another national advancement and successes in the Fall’s All-Star competition, this team has brought Pace’s Advocacy Program unquestionable national recognition and respect. This team graduates, Ms. Rubino and Ms. Stewart, accompanied by our outstanding technician, Mr. Spedafino, have done more than just put-up high scores and win trophies, they have taken the time to develop the 2L’s to foster a sustainable future of excellence for the Advocacy Program. This year’s victory was a true team effort with stellar performances all around. We expect to make another run at national victory next year with our outstanding 2L’s, Ms. Facelle and Mr. McNally, who will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Haub Law 3L, member of the winning mock trial team, and Executive Director Mattison Stewart stated, “I am so proud of our team that I have been fortunate enough to compete with. Every semester we put in countless hours practicing, scrimmaging, and meeting to perfect our sides of the case. We individually put in over 200 hours each because we all have a common goal: win. I have become a better student, advocate and person because of the Advocacy Program. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to be on competition teams since the beginning of my 2L year, no less make national runs for three semesters in a row. None of this would be possible without our coach AJ Muller, who truly puts in so much energy and time into making us better advocates, not only for mock trial but real life. Mike Luterzo has been an amazing addition to the coaching here too; his out-of-the-box thinking really helps us one-up the other teams. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my last two years doing anything besides putting everything I have into the Advocacy Program and this team.”

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law’s impressive trial advocacy program once again ranked in the top 15% of law schools, coming in at number 26 this year. Over the last few years, Haub Law has had 28+ Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams, with an average of over 124 student participants on these teams as a whole. The Law School’s Mock Trial and Moot Court teams regularly place at or near the top in competitions. In the fall of 2021, Haub Law hosted its first Advocate in Residence, Gillian More, a lifelong prosecutor with a worldwide reputation in advocacy. Haub Law’s trial advocacy program is led by Lou Fasulo, Director of Advocacy, Moot Court and Client Counseling programs.

“This result shows the quality of our students, the dedication of our coaches and the commitment of our program to remain a leader in training advocates for the benefit of future clients. I will be watching our graduates as they accomplish even greater successes in their career,” said Haub Law’s Director of Advocacy, Lou Fasulo.

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