Imran H. Ansari '08 is the lead partner in charge of the civil practice in his firm, Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins PC, and has an active litigation and trial practice. He is also a weekly host on the Law & Crime Network and a weekly guest legal analyst on Court TV. Imran also appears on other networks such as CNN/HLN, Fox, CBS, and others, to provide legal commentary, along with various radio shows and podcasts to discuss legal news.

Let’s start from the beginning, how did your background influence your career and educational choices?

I grew up in suburban New Jersey, however, I spent a lot of time in New York City throughout my formative years. It exposed me to diversity, the arts, life experiences, and I truly fell in love with New York City from a young age. Before starting my law career, I played and toured as a musician with an acclaimed band, and I have had experiences living, studying, and working in Iceland, India, and Italy, giving me a more worldly perspective. With its proximity to New York City, its excellent program and reputation, Pace was the perfect fit for me.

Can you talk about your journey to law school and thereafter?

Law is a second career for me. I was a television producer at Court TV and worked in film prior to becoming a lawyer. Getting my law degree was something I had set for myself as a goal. When I applied to law school, I was living in Iceland and working on major film and television shoots, such as Batman Begins and others. It seemed like the right time, so I sent in my application, and started at Pace in 2004. Once I was at Pace, I participated in an internship at the Brooklyn D.A.’s Office, which was transformative. I realized the skills I learned writing and producing for TV and film, translated exceptionally into the court room. The cadence of delivering an argument, the presence and body language the jurors expect and like to see, the concise delivery of a point. With these skills, coupled with an understanding of the law, I realized becoming a trial attorney was my calling. After many years as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, I jumped to the private sector and expanded my practice expertise beyond criminal law, to also encompass civil litigation. I am now the lead partner in charge of the civil practice in my firm, Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins PC, and have an active litigation and trial practice, including handling high-profile cases for high-profile clients. Some of my high-profile clients are not popular in the court of public opinion, which makes it more difficult to defend them in the court of law. It is important to remember that a fundamental aspect of our justice system is the right to a defense.

Do you remember your first day of law school?

I will always remember my first day of law school! As with any new venture in life, it was filled with excitement and a dose of nerves. I remember meeting so many great people that day, all sharing similar feelings. We would all form a bond over the next few years through our time at Pace, and I am proud to say that our education at the Law School has allowed many of us to fulfill our career dreams.

We would all form a bond over the next few years through our time at Pace, and I am proud to say that our education at the Law School has allowed many of us to fulfill our career dreams.

How was the rest of your law school experience?

There are so many memorable experiences! For me, moot court competitions and the camaraderie with my moot court teammates will always stick out, especially the competitive edge when we went up against other law schools. I also had a wonderful experience with the externships I did while at Pace. And, as far as professors – I can safely say that all my professors were my favorites! The faculty at Pace are exceptional, they equipped me with the skills and knowledge to propel me through my career, and for that I am forever grateful. Funny enough, one of my former professors was an adversary in a case, it was an interesting experience!

Were there any struggles during law school that you want to share?

In 2005, I participated in the Pace Law Internship Abroad program and spent the summer in India working with one of its top law firms. It was a great experience, but then a stroke of bad luck. During my last week in India, I was hit with a horrible stomach virus that knocked me out of commission for weeks, including well into the start of the fall semester. I made the strategic, yet very difficult, decision to take that fall semester off, hence my January 2008 graduation, rather than 2007. It all worked out for the best though!

In addition to being a partner at a busy law firm, you are also a host & legal analyst on the Law & Crime Network – how did that evolve?

As I mentioned, prior to law, I was a television producer, including at Court TV, so that passion for broadcast media is inherent. Now I have come full circle, but this time instead of behind the camera, I am on-air. I am a weekly host on the Law & Crime Network, where we cover live trials and legal news and break it down for our viewers. I am also a weekly guest legal analyst on Court TV, where I provide commentary as we discuss the latest trials and legal news. I also appear on other networks such as CNN/HLN, Fox, CBS, and others, to provide legal commentary. Additionally, I often appear as a guest on radio shows and podcasts to discuss legal news.

How has the pandemic shaped what you do and how you do it – both on a day-to-day basis and for the foreseeable future?

I think we have seen an evolution in the way we practice law due to the pandemic. It will be interesting to see how courts implement the use of virtual appearances even post-pandemic, as I believe that many see this as a more efficient manner of conducting business. I personally love being physically in court. It’s my comfort zone and I love the social interaction, whether I am picking a jury or simply bantering with a fellow member of the bar while we wait for our cases to be called. Back in March 2021, I picked one of the first in-person juries in Supreme Court in Manhattan. The case settled after jury selection, but it was a surreal experience to pick a jury with masks, plastic dividers, and everyone spaced out. A few months later, I picked another jury in Supreme Court in Brooklyn, and tried a case to jury verdict in favor of my client in Supreme Court in the Bronx. All while wearing a mask and spaced out in a specially equipped courtroom. I also tried a bench trial in federal court over the span of a few weeks in the summer of 2021 which was done entirely remotely. It is indicative of how we adapt to change and get used to the “new normal.”

Do you have any advice for current students?

Make connections now! Studying and academics are of course a priority, but the real practical experience you will receive during internships, externships, and working, will provide you the advantage for when you start practicing and when you are looking for a job. It’s important to make those connections while in law school, and I recommend preemptively getting active in bar associations and networking in the profession. It will pay off later!

How did Pace shape or help your career path?

Pace provided me with a stellar education, and the experiences I had through externships and internships, changed my career direction, without which, I would not be where I am today.

What are some of your passions aside from the law?

I love traveling, music, and I am avidly into sport fishing! Also, spending as much time as possible with my family, who have supported me through the years. Without that support, my accomplishments would not have been possible.

Nusrat Ara Begum

Medical Assistant, Velour Medical

Class of 2023
BBA in Business Management / BS in Pre-Nursing (double major)

Member Of: Cosmetology Club, Pforzheimer Honors College Programming Community, Beta Alpha Psi, Dean’s List

Nusrat Ara is a rising star from the class of 2023. With concentrations in Business Management and Pre-Nursing, Ara found that she has a unique point of view on career development, which has led her to pursue her passions with incredible motivation. Before she even step foot in Pace University, this go-getter already had plans of starting a student organization, the Cosmetology Club, which has become a very successful hub for students looking to learn more about skincare and makeup. She has also been active on campus in many other ways. She participated in the Beta Alpha Psi Atlantic Coast Regional Meeting Best Practices Competition, where the Pace University team won 1st place for team innovation!

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

When I attended Pace University's Open House in 2019, I knew right away that there were amazing opportunities offered at the Lubin School of Business. I was intrigued by the large variety of programs available to students and I appreciated Lubin's efforts to host networking events often, encouraging students to develop connections with professionals. This was something I knew I would take advantage of. The cherry on top of enrolling at Lubin is its location in New York City. I love to be in a fast-paced environment surrounded by people who are striving to accomplish their goals and dreams. It motivates me to work harder and serves as a reminder to persevere because it is those who work hard who will prosper.

You started the first Cosmetology Club at Pace; tell us a bit about the motivation behind that idea and how it is enriching the student experience on campus.

It all started in 8th grade when I would play with my mother's Maybelline liquid eyeliner to create a cat-eye look. As I grew older, I was intrigued by the idea of using makeup as a form of self-expression. After I graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, I knew I did not want to let go of my hobby once I started college, so I searched for ways in which I could bring my passion to the Pace University campus. I was eager to start this community so that I could meet people who share the same passion. Before my first semester even started, I was already inquiring about what I needed to do in order to start and run my very own student club. Thanks to the guidance of Jaclyn Kopel, director, Pforzheimer Honors College, the Cosmetology Club at Pace University exists today. The club's goal is to use makeup as a medium to promote empowerment, self-care, self-love, diversity, and inclusivity. We are 100% committed to achieving this goal by fostering a loving community that welcomes absolutely everyone, regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc. Some members find the meetings and events we host to be therapeutic or fun, as they can spend time doing what they love with others! This club is brand new and I am excited to see it grow and leave a bigger impact on Pace University.

You are also on the Pforzheimer Honors College's Programming Committee on the NYC campus. What have you learned from that experience so far?

Despite all the stress and hard work that goes into the time-consuming process of planning on-campus events, I genuinely enjoy having an idea and being able to make it come to life with support from my team. In the Fall of 2019, my favorite event to help plan was "Harry Potter Movie Night." I loved to see how everyone on the Programming Committee transformed the creative ideas we brainstormed together into a reality. Event planning has taught me how to use limited resources in a creative way and how to make an every-day lecture hall look like a Hogwarts classroom. I found that the challenges that we overcame along the way made event planning fun and exciting! Under high pressure and fast paced circumstances, we are forced to come up with inventive and new ways to work around the problems we encounter.

One day I'm figuring out how to balance an accounting spreadsheet and the next day I'm balancing chemical equations. However, it is great being a business student who is simultaneously completing the pre-nursing track because I am able to make a lot of connections with what I am learning in business-related classes and apply them to what I am learning in healthcare-related classes and vice versa.

What is it like to be a business student who is also completing the pre-nursing track?

It is quite difficult, as I find myself multitasking every day and absorbing plenty of knowledge from two different fields. One day I'm figuring out how to balance an accounting spreadsheet and the next day I'm balancing chemical equations. However, it is great being a business student who is simultaneously completing the pre-nursing track because I am able to make a lot of connections with what I am learning in business-related classes and apply them to what I am learning in healthcare-related classes and vice versa. Taking this route has taught me the importance of having good time management skills, being able to deal with stress wisely, and making sure I dedicate days to myself so I can avoid burnout.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking to get involved on campus?

College really is what YOU make of it. As the saying goes, "It's not about the cards you've been dealt, but how you play your hand." So, play your cards wisely by taking advantage of what is offered to you here at Pace University. It's all about making the most out of your experience here. Whether it be Fall Festival, a job fair, or a club meeting, you should make time to attend these types of events because being present at them could give you the opportunity to develop skills you may have not learned in class or you may even discover new interests.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

To me #LubinLife means growth. The unique culture at Lubin really pushes students to reach their full potential by providing necessary resources and opportunities. By taking advantage of what Lubin offers, I see myself growing as a person every day as I find myself absorbing knowledge from different classes, trying to help others through the Cosmetology Club, and making new friends on campus!

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An Art History/Psychology major and first-gen honors student, Maruszewski speaks about merging the arts and sciences.

What attracted you to Pace?

I chose to attend Pace because I adored how much the school focused on what happens after college, rather than solely on what happens inside the classroom. It was one of the first colleges I had ever seen that emphasizes learning outside the classroom, which I strongly believe in.

Why did you decide to pursue a double major in art history and psychology?

Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to help people in some way, and psychology seemed the best way that I could. Art history fell into my hands rather unexpectedly, after I was asked to choose a Learning Community course for my first semester. I thought it sounded interesting, so I picked Art History and History with professors [Janetta] Benton and [Jaclyn] Kopel. Professor Benton made me fall head over heels in love with art history, so I decided to take on another major.

My favorite part about being a Dyson student is getting to meet people from both the arts and the sciences, and seeing how those two disciplines coexist.

My favorite part about being a dyson student is getting to meet people from both the arts and the sciences, and seeing how those two disciplines coexist.

In your view, how is the study of art different from that of science?

I think studying art is more the study of the past, as in, studying what other people have created before, in the hope of interpreting the future. With science, it's studying principles in the hopes of explaining the ever-present phenomena of the universe, the past, the present, and the future. Both carry the same discipline of using truthful evidence to learn ideas, which I think is missed by many people. I think there is science to art and art to science, meaning that one can't exist without the other. For example, medicine is a science, but requires a human, artistic element to be done well. Art is more of an instinctual interpretation of facts, and science is more of a numerical interpretation.

You were born in the United States, but grew up mostly in Poland. Tell us about your journey to where you are today.

I was born in Boca Raton, Florida, but soon after moved with my parents back to Poland. When I returned to the United States when I was fifteen, it was a huge culture shock for me. Thankfully, while in Poland, I attended an international school, so I spoke English very well. However, everything from how people dressed, to how they talked, and what they talked about was completely different. I did not even know what a Pop-Tart was, and my accent was very telling. It took me quite a while to get the hang of everything and navigate around social circles. I still see the differences, but I’ve learned how to interpret those around me and what they are saying. It feels like those two very different parts of the world coexist within me now.

As a first-generation college student, how have you navigated the challenges of higher education?

I was fortunate enough to be introduced to American culture in high school, which provided me with an easy transition into college. Attending Pace has been [similar to attending] high school in Poland, in the sense of having a block schedule, as well as the style of teaching and test taking, such as non-multiple-choice tests. To me, it felt like home!

What would you like to do upon graduation?

After graduation, I am hoping to enter a career in forensic psychology. As of right now, I am not entirely sure about a specific profession, but that's what college is for! My plan is to either be a counselor working in corrections, specifically, juvenile facilities, or to work with the police to offer forensic insight from a psychological perspective.

Do you have any advice for your fellow students?

My advice to current students would be to treat electives as a way to explore what they haven't thought to explore, because you never know what you can find along the way.

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Aissatou Gnigue

Advisory Associate, KPMG
Delegate, United Nations

Class of 2023
BBA/MBA in Public Accounting / BA in Political Science (double major) with a minor in Pre-Law

Member Of: American Marketing Association, Beta Alpha Psi, National Society of Leadership and Success, Dean's List

Meet Aissatou, a student whose go-getter attitude landed her a coveted fellowship with the United Nations (UN). Aissatou, who is a double major in Public Accounting and Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law, puts her passion for positively impacting her community first, as she takes on numerous leadership roles as part of the student body. We talked to Aissatou about her projects as part of the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2020 and what motivates her to keep going and work so hard. As one of five siblings, it turns out that her biggest motivators are her parents!

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

I chose Lubin because of its passionate community of students, as well as the many opportunities offered to business students. These opportunities have allowed me to thrive inside and outside of Pace.

You have been very involved on campus as a student leader. What have you learned from those experiences so far?

I am the Fundraising Director of the Pace New York City chapter of the American Marketing Association. I am also the Chair of Membership for Beta Gamma Sigma and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. The most valuable lesson I've learned from these experiences is the importance of being confident, but remaining humble at the same time. As much as I believe in my ability to tackle any task given, I am just as open to listening and learning from others.

The Millennium Fellowship provides student leaders with an opportunity to advance the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Students from all over the world develop projects with the goal of positively impacting their communities. My project, Challenge Accepted, will be advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education.

The Millennium Fellowship is a prestigious leadership program in which you have been selected to participate. Tell us about the program and what you are looking forward to from that experience.

The Millennium Fellowship provides student leaders with an opportunity to advance the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Students from all over the world develop projects with the goal of positively impacting their communities. My project, Challenge Accepted, will be advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education. I am excited to be part of an amazing group of leaders and I look forward to developing my project during the fall and hopefully expanding it after the program.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking to get involved on campus?

My biggest advice for Lubin students in regard to getting involved is to network and attend events. This could mean seeking e-board positions with clubs that you are interested in or curious about, participating in Pace's Alumni Mentoring program, getting an on-campus job, or simply attending virtual/in-person events to find out what opportunities are out there!

You are pursuing a BBA/MBA in Accounting, as well as majoring in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law. What motivates you to work hard?

My main motivation is being optimistic about the positive impact I can have in my community and beyond. I am also motivated by my parents who are always supportive of me and my goals. I always strive to work hard and to do my best, no matter what the task at hand is.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

To me, #LubinLife means to be a well-rounded individual. As a business student, our curriculum prepares us for all aspects of the business world; it introduces us to a wide array of career fields and helps us build connections with all the different facets of business.