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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University hosted a Health Law and Policy Summit bringing together healthcare professionals and lawyers to discuss key legal issues for operations and transactions and for the delivery of healthcare in today’s changing landscape. Co-sponsored by Pace University’s College of Health Professions and the Westchester County Association, the event offered NYS Attorney CLE credit and included two thoughtful panel discussions led by Haub Law faculty who teach in the Law School’s Advanced Certificate in Health Law and Policy. The certificate program was recently expanded to include a new part-time, fully online credential designed for working lawyers, as well as health care professionals and administrators who require legal and policy knowledge to adapt to changes in the industry and is scheduled to launch in Fall 2022.

“Regulatory and compliance matters, health equity and environmental health issues, all influence how healthcare organizations go about their work, and how their attorneys advise them,” said Dean Horace Anderson Jr., Dean of Haub Law during his welcome remarks. “The Health Law and Policy Summit provides a glimpse into the current issues impacting the healthcare industry which are a focus of our Advanced Certificate in Health Law and Policy program.”

Moderated by Professor James Toomey, a Climenko Fellow and Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School who will join the Haub Law faculty as an Assistant Professor in the coming year, the panels examined how healthcare organizations can meet their current responsibilities, prepare for public health challenges, and seek more equitable health policies. Panelists explored the lifecycle of a business transaction and legal implications for lawyers and professionals working in the field as well as patient care, including lack of access to care, long-term care workforce issues, and end-of-life rules.

The Health Law and Policy Summit panelists included Barbara Atwell, Haub Law Associate Professor; Lauren Breslow, philanthropic consultant and Haub Law Adjunct Professor; Margaret M. Flint, Haub Law Professor of Law Emerita; Linda Martin, Chief Compliance Officer at CareOne and Haub Law Adjunct Professor; Steven Chananie, Special Counsel, Sheppard Mullin and Haub Law Adjunct Professor, and Dale C. Van Demark, a partner at McDermott Will & Emery and Adjunct Professor at Haub Law.

Learn more about Haub Law’s new online Advanced Certificate in Health Law and Policy.

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As a student who strives for excellence, Lienhard School of Nursing student Samuel Silva Ortiz is proud to be the first member of his family to graduate from a university in the United States.

His accomplishments have been a great source of pride for his family. So much that his aunt traveled all the way from Colombia to watch him receive awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Undergraduate Nursing and achieving Latin Honors Summa Cum Laude at the College of Health Profession’s Award Ceremony in Pleasantville. “I am beyond proud of Samuel,” said Samuel’s Aunt Martha. “He is the first in our family to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I have seen him work tirelessly to get to this point and can't wait to see what he accomplishes next!” Her hope is that Samuel will continue his education and focus on addressing healthcare issues that affect the Hispanic community.​

To honor his parents and the sacrifices they made for their family, Samuel decorated his graduation cap with the statement, “Product of the American Dream.” His parents both immigrated from Colombia, working hard to build futures for themselves and their children. “My success is also my parents’ success,” said Samuel. “I want to inspire my younger siblings and others to pursue their goals and trust that the American Dream is alive and well!”

My success is also my parents’ success. I want to inspire my younger siblings and others to pursue their goals and trust that the American Dream is alive and well!

- Samuel Silva Ortiz

Samuel’s goal is to become an acute care nurse practitioner and acknowledges his family was his motivation to succeed. “I am dedicated to being a nurse and I'm so grateful to my wonderful family, classmates, and professors for supporting me throughout my academic journey,” said Samuel. “It has been amazing to be able to share this moment with them.”

Pace's Maria Escobar is the co-founder of the World Without Exploitation National Youth Coalition—a network of young people dedicated to ending human trafficking—and she’s presented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

"I was inspired to major in women's and gender studies because I want to end commercial sexual exploitation and fight human trafficking," says Maria. "Pace offered a human rights advocacy program where we were able to create a lot of awareness."

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On Monday, May 23, the dedicated adjunct faculty of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University were recognized and honored at a reception held on the Law School campus.

During the reception, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Law Operations, Professor Jill I. Gross, expressed her gratitude to the Haub Law adjunct faculty. Professor Gross noted that while there are many reasons why Haub Law adjunct faculty are valued, three important reasons include their quick and seamless COVID-19 responses in adapting to the unprecedented global pandemic, their professionalism, and their dedication. “You all have been so dedicated to the education and academic success of our students, especially meeting each of them individually where they are, empathizing with their struggles and celebrating their achievements,” said Professor Gross.

Significantly, Adjunct Professor Richard Steer, a long-time member of the faculty, was honored as he retires from teaching at Haub Law. “Hired in 1984, Richard has served the Haub Law community with dedication for 38 years, teaching Labor and Employment Law and mentoring generations of our students,” stated Professor Gross. In addition to his teaching at Haub Law, Professor Steer is a Partner in Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP’s Labor and Employment Practice Group and chairs the firm’s Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) practice.

Dean Horace Anderson also thanked our adjunct faculty for their tireless dedication to Haub Law and its students. “Adjunct faculty bring important real-world experience and practical skills to our classrooms as active practitioners in some of the most vibrant areas of the law,” said Dean Anderson. “We are thankful and appreciative for the immeasurable impact they have had and continue to have on our law school and its students.”

Once he decided that he was going to pursue a career in law, Marlon Campeche ’19 knew that the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University would best fulfill his desire to practice immigration law. Knowing that he too ultimately wanted to practice law, Marlon’s brother, Ulises (JD Candidate '24), studied political science in undergraduate school as a stepping-stone towards that goal, ultimately choosing Haub Law to pursue his studies in immigration law as well. In this Q+A, siblings Marlon and Ulises speak about their impactful experiences at Haub Law, the Immigration Justice Clinic, the collegial Haub Law atmosphere, their paths to law school, and more.

What was each of your paths to law school?

Marlon: I decided I wanted to pursue a career in law when I was in high school. I used to volunteer as an ESL teacher to adults at nights. That experience motivated me to believe that I could do more for the immigrant community. Therefore, in college I majored in political science with a clear aim towards law school post-grad.

Ulises: I’ve always been interested in law, particularly beginning throughout my years in high school. As a senior, I took AP Government & Politics and I feel that learning experience solidified my interest in the field of law. Studying political science as an undergrad certainly exposed me to a variety of fields, but as I mentioned, I’ve always been drawn to learning and understanding the important role that law and courts have on society, particularly the immigrant community.

What was it about Pace in particular that appealed to both of you?

Marlon: I chose Haub Law because I always admired, and wanted to be part of, the Immigration Justice Clinic ran by Professor Vanessa Merton. The Clinic serves our local immigrant community in Westchester, the community where my brother and I were raised. I knew choosing to attend Pace and to join the Clinic was the right decision for me.

Ulises: While I chose Haub Law for their network connections with prestigious firms and organizations, I mainly based my decision off what my brother had told me about his experience while at Pace. Law schools have a certain stigma that everyone is constantly competing against each other, but thus far I haven’t felt or experienced that here at Pace. Whether it’s professors or classmates, there seems to be a level of collegiality, companionship, and empathy and that is something I appreciate.

Marlon, what area of law are you practicing in?

Marlon: I currently practice immigration law at a non-profit organization in Brooklyn, New York. I work for the removal defense team, which means I primarily defend people in removal proceedings at immigration court. Many of my cases are asylum-seekers, immigrant children and victims of domestic violence.

What area of law are you interested in, Ulises?

Ulises: I’ve always been interested in the field of immigration as it’s been a recurring theme in our family. We’re children of immigrants and empathy, humility and determination are values our parents inculcated in us from a young age and is something I adhere to each day. I hope to be able to advocate for immigrant rights, particularly for children facing a legal system alone.

Which experiences stand out to both of you from your time at Pace?

Marlon: As I mentioned before, my favorite course was the Immigration Justice Clinic. The Clinic provided me with first-hand experience of lawyering real cases, which ultimately was an upper-hand when searching for employment. Professor Merton is so knowledgeable in the field, and her teaching style pushed me to become a better attorney. I will always be grateful for Professor Merton and the Clinic.

Ulises: Although I’m still a 1L, I would say I grew to enjoy civil procedure. It was overwhelming at first, but Professor Mushlin certainly engaged his students and broke down each concept to the most minute detail as possible for us. Also, Professors Mushlin, Kuh, and Humbach were very understanding in light of some personal issues during my first semester and their empathy and understanding was very much appreciated.

Marlon, was there any advice you gave Ulises upon entering law school?

Marlon: Before Ulises entered Pace, I told him it would not be easy. I told him it would be a very different experience than undergraduate and thus he should prepare as much as possible. I did not worry too much, because I know my brother is a hard-worker and very dedicated to his academics. However, I often stress the importance of taking some time off and hanging out with friends -mental breaks are also very important in law school.

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At the University’s first in-person graduation ceremony in three years, U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng delivered the commencement address to the graduates from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and also received an honorary doctorate. This year marked the first year that Pace University held a combined ceremony for graduates of its campuses in New York City, Pleasantville, and White Plains. Delivering the commencement address for Pace University was Mayor Eric Adams, who also received an honorary doctorate. Finance and philanthropy leader, Baroness Ariane de Rothschild, a Pace alum, was also recognized. This year’s ceremony, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, recognized not only the class of 2022, but also the classes of 2021 and 2022, who were not able to have a traditional celebration due to pandemic-related restrictions.

Horace E. Anderson Jr,, Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law served as the Master of Ceremonies. After a brief introduction, kicking off the ceremony was Haub Law student, Amanda Fugel, singing the National Anthem to the live audience as well as to hundreds of individuals live streaming the event. In his speech, Dean Horace Anderson focused on the ways that the three recent graduating classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022, in the face of an unprecedented global pandemic, helped Haub Law thrive. From the number one ranking of Haub Law’s environmental law program, to top rankings in trial advocacy, launching of new programs, developing new initiatives, publishing papers in prestigious journals, and more – Dean Anderson noted that these are the student’s achievements.

Students Kellyann Dornan and Mitchell Quatinetz also gave remarks to the graduating classes and audience members. Both students acknowledged the impact that their professors at Haub Law made on them, and the perseverance of their class in not only graduating law school, but also graduating law school during a pandemic. Mitchell Quatinetz noted that, “I am optimistic that our law school experience, though admittedly not what we had envisioned when we began law school, has transformed us into lawyers who are resilient and adaptable.”

U.S. Representative Grace Meng was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Pace University Board Chair and Haub Law alum Rob Sands. Congresswoman Meng is currently 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. For her impressive and impactful work towards menstrual equality and more, Congresswoman Meng was recently recognized by Haub Law’s Women’s Association of Law Students with their annual Pioneer of Justice Award.

During her inspiring address, Congresswoman Meng stated, “This is a celebration not only of success, but of your determination, persistence, and resolve.” She spoke about what life is like after law school, giving the graduates sage advice as they navigate their future careers, discussing how she herself got involved in politics, the ways in which she looked to support her community, and how important it is to positively represent the voices that may not be in the room where decisions are made and communities that lack the resources to have their voices heard. Speaking directly to the class of 2022, Congresswoman Meng said, “it is the responsibility of all of us and on the shoulders of all of us to step outside of our comfort zones and in addition to the legal expertise that you have and will continue to develop to bring your own unique history and experiences to make the law fair and more accessible to everyone. And, with your degree and an open mind for tackling challenges, you can discover and contribute to the world, your ideas and your work that will make a visible difference in the daily lives of the people you serve. And whether you make mistakes or you find successes in addressing these challenges, these opportunities however tough they may be are not barriers, they are markers of your storied experiences and your job will be to continue to improve the lives of everyone around you.”

After her commencement address, the JD, SJD, and LLM graduates were called to the stage by Associate Dean and Professor Jill I. Gross and hooded by Professors Bridget J. Crawford, Jared Hatcliffe, and Jason J. Czarnezki. After the last name was read, remarks were made by Madison Shaff, graduate of the class of 2022 and Student Bar Association President. She stated in part, “I am honored to be here today with my colleagues because today we can look around, and we are here, once again a connected community. Together we had to confront ongoing adaptation, sometimes grief, but throughout it all learned some hard, but valuable lessons. If you take anything away from your law school experience, I hope it is the idea of community.” The ceremony ended with remarks by Pace University president, Marvin Krislov.

This year’s 2022 graduating class from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University included 213 Juris Doctor degrees, 32 Master of Laws degrees (15 in Comparative Legal Studies, 11 in Environmental Law, and 6 Doctor of Juridical Science in Environmental Law degrees). Of the JD graduates, 9 graduated summa cum laude, 26 magna cum laude, and 67 cum laude. Of those, 9 students earned certificates in Health Law and Policy, 30 in Environmental Law, and 6 in International Law.