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A life-long New Yorker, Vice Dean and Professor Jill Gross started her career in “BigLaw” before falling in love with teaching and transitioning to a career in academia. Twenty-six years later, Dean Gross has taught generations of students at Haub Law and taken on the important role of overseeing Academic Affairs for the Law School. She also recently authored The Federal Arbitration Act: Successes, Failures, and a Roadmap for Reform. Learn more about Professor Gross in this Q&A.

I understand that you were not always planning on a career as a lawyer or law professor, can you tell us a bit about how it evolved?

I am a life-long New Yorker who went straight from college to law school. In college at Cornell University’s School of Arts & Sciences, I designed my own major in Western European Studies. I loved the cross-disciplinary learning about the politics of Western European countries, European culture and art history, and French and German language and literature. I came very close to pursuing a Master’s Degree in French Studies, but ultimately I chose a more pragmatic career path and went to law school.

From Law School you went into private practice, how did you end up in academia?

When I first arrived at law school, I did not really know what kind of law I wanted to practice. During law school, based largely on poor assumptions I made at the time, I convinced myself I did not want to practice in the securities law field, and I did not want to teach law. However, in the category of “never say never,” I ended up practicing securities law both at my first job at a “BigLaw” firm and at a boutique white collar criminal defense firm in Manhattan. And while at the white-collar firm, I was offered an opportunity to teach Legal Writing at Cardozo Law School, and I fell in love with teaching. My favorite moments of every single week were preparing to teach students and then teaching them and watching them learn. I then set my mind to pivoting to a full-time career in law academia. That’s when I sought out a position at Pace Law School, first as an adjunct professor co-directing what is now known as the Investor Rights Clinic. I then was fortunate enough to be offered a full-time teaching position. And the rest is history.

Your research interests and areas of expertise include Dispute Resolution, Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics, Securities Law, and more – what is it about those areas that hold your interest?

These seemingly disconnected areas of law actually tie together what I did in private practice. I represented defendants in securities enforcement proceedings based on alleged misconduct in connection with investments, and also represented respondents in related securities arbitrations. Every day, my practice required an intimate understanding of the relevant securities laws, the intricacies of the dispute resolution processes, and the ethical boundaries. When I teach these courses, I can draw extensively on lessons from practice.

You recently authored a book, The Federal Arbitration Act: Successes, Failures, and a Roadmap for Reform – how was that process and what inspired you to write on this subject?

I have been interested in the Federal Arbitration Act since I first was exposed to arbitration, and learned firsthand how lawyers use arbitration clauses in contracts without fully understanding the statutory limits of the Act. While Congress’ original purpose in passing the Act is laudable, the statute is in dire need of reform to address the many problems that have arisen in the century since its passage. The book gathers together dozens of scholars each of whom makes a discrete recommendation to amend one particular aspect of the statute, thus providing Congress with a roadmap for reform. Celebrating the one-hundredth anniversary of the passage of the Act seemed like an ideal opportunity to gather diverse perspectives on how to approach the next century.

Where do you see the future of ADR headed?

ADR is just getting more and more popular, as the delays and costs of litigating a case from beginning to end grow. However, scholars need to keep process designers accountable by studying whether these emerging, innovative processes ensure that disputants have access to both procedural and substantive justice. So future ADR scholarship should empirically explore the fairness of these processes and test the hypothesis that they are indeed faster and cheaper for disputants.

You are Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at Haub Law – what does that role entail?

In my role as Vice Dean, I am responsible for the integrity of the academic program for all students. I live by the mantra that I make all decisions so as to put all students in the best possible position to succeed in law school, on the bar exam, and in practice. Among other responsibilities, I plan course offerings, develop new courses, set the schedule, assign the teachers, maintain and monitor compliance with ABA and New York State standards for legal education, trouble-shoot problems that arise for both students and faculty related to their classes, provide professional development support for all faculty, assist Dean Anderson in developing special programs, and oversee our Academic Success team. The role is all-encompassing and touches all areas of law school operations. While it can be an overwhelming role at times, I love impacting students’ law school experience and putting them in a position to succeed every day.

What course is your favorite to teach and why?

I love teaching both Professional Responsibility and Survey of Dispute Resolution Processes. In both classes, I can draw heavily from my practice experience as a private lawyer and as an arbitrator to give the students perspective and to teach both doctrine and practice.

In 2024, you traveled to Vienna as part of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot – what was that experience like?

My experiences at the 31st Vis Moot deepened my perspective on international commercial arbitration. I observed Haub Law’s outstanding student team compete in a few of its rounds, and I served as an arbitrator for other rounds. I had the opportunity to see firsthand the wonderful mentorship, coaching and nonstop cheerleading of our team and I also participated in the meeting of the Verein to debrief this year’s competition and discuss planning for next year. I also attended the festive Opening Ceremonies and several lectures. Not only did I learn about international commercial arbitration while in Vienna, I also availed myself of the opportunity to learn about foreign perspectives on the broader field of international conflict resolution. I also had the opportunity to sight see and visit a museum as well. When I returned to campus, I shared my experiences of one exhibit I saw relevant to peace-making with my Survey of Dispute Resolution Processes class.

I have learned from my students that the world is full of wonderful, curious and ambitious people who have many different dreams and life goals, and many different avenues to achieve those goals. Every path is individual, yet the objective is often the same: to lead a fulfilling life and career.

As a professor you are tasked with teaching students, but what have you also learned from them in return?

I have learned from my students that the world is full of wonderful, curious and ambitious people who have many different dreams and life goals, and many different avenues to achieve those goals. Every path is individual, yet the objective is often the same: to lead a fulfilling life and career.

Did you have a mentor when you started in your career in academia and if so, how did that positively impact your journey?

Professor Barbara Black (now retired) became my mentor when I joined Haub Law back in the Fall of 1999. She helped me become a better teacher, and she taught me how to write law review articles that were impactful and made a difference in the field of securities arbitration. She even agreed to co-author with me, which helped give my academic career a huge boost. I would not be where I am today if it were not for Professor Black.

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Aside from law, how do you spend your spare time?

In my spare time, I love to do word and math puzzles (Wordle, Spelling Bee, KenKen, Connections, Quartiles), watch hockey games, walk in nature, and travel to beautiful places. I recently traveled with my entire family to Alaska, and had a fabulous trip exploring and viewing truly breathtaking terrain: snow-capped mountains, glaciers, seas, valleys, glacial lakes, waterfalls, and forest.

The Westchester Women's Bar Association Foundation (WWBAF) has once again recognized outstanding Haub Law students through its prestigious Justice Sondra M. Miller Scholarship, awarded in honor of Justice Miller’s legacy as a founding member and past president of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association (WWBA). This year’s recipients, Stella Capparelli and Stephanie Gonzales, were selected for their dedication to community service and their legal education. In celebration of the WWBA’s 50th anniversary and to honor the lasting contributions of the late Judge Lisa Margaret Smith and the late Judge Miller, WWBAF also awarded three additional special scholarships to Haub Law students Elida Loci, Morgan Shanske, and Tamika Thomas.

Susan Corcoran, President of the WWBAF, shared that every candidate submitted an impressive application this year. “Both award recipients of the Justice Sondra M. Miller Scholarship exhibit extraordinary dedication to community service and the study of law,” said Susan. “They have had amazing achievements in their law school experience.”

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Stella Capparelli is a senior associate on the Pace Law Review, interned at the United States District Court for Southern District of NY, mentors other law students as a Dean’s Scholar, and served as a resident director in the school dormitory -- all while achieving academic honors.

Stephanie Gonzales attended Haub Law part-time while working full-time. She participates in the Disability Rights Clinic, the School Improvement Committee, is a Student Bar Association Representative and has mentored numerous law students. The Westchester County Executive also recognized Stephanie as an employee who went “Above and Beyond”.

This year, the WWBAF awarded additional scholarships in celebration of the WWBA’s 50^th anniversary and in honor of the late Judge Lisa Margaret Smith and the late Judge Miller. Judge Smith served for 25 years as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York until her retirement in 2020. She also taught Evidence, Federal Courts, and Civil Procedure as an Adjunct Professor at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University from 2006 to 2020. “The three recipients of this year’s special scholarship awards had many remarkable achievements,” shared Susan. “Elida Loci assists underserved families locally and abroad and participates in the Immigration Justice Clinic. Morgan Shanske provides professional development services to at-risk youth and conducts workshops at a juvenile detention center. Tamika Thomas is employed as a full-time educator and participates in numerous environmental and community organizations.”

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“All five scholarship recipients clearly fulfill the mission of the WWBAF - ‘…to promote the fair and equal treatment of all people in society, the workplace, schools and court system,’” said Susan. “We could not ask for more perfect candidates to represent the values and life work of our own Justice Sondra Miller, Judge Lisa Margaret Smith, and the WWBAF.”

The WWBAF evaluates scholarship applicants, who are pursuing a legal education, using various criteria, including: community and/or public service, clinic and internship participation, life balance, work history, academic record and recommendations, personal challenges and/or financial need while pursuing a legal education, intention to make future contributions to Westchester County, and more. The successful applicant need not “check each box” in these categories. Instead, candidates are evaluated by standards that fit the foundation’s mission to eliminate gender bias and promote the fair and equal treatment of all people in society, the workplace, schools, and the court system. In evaluating applicants, the WWBAF considers how the candidate fulfills the values of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and Judge Sondra Miller, whose life work is the embodiment of the WWBAF mission. Judge Sondra Miller passed away in 2024. She was a retired Associate Justice of the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department and served as a Vice-President of WBASNY, and was a founding member and Past President of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association. After leaving the bench, Justice Miller remained active serving as a distinguished judge-in-residence at Haub Law and went into private practice.

Two-day event highlights strategies to combat human trafficking and support survivors

Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Center For Wellbeing hosted its second annual Counter-Human Trafficking Conference, bringing together experts, advocates, and students to address the widespread issue of human trafficking.

The two-day event focused on crimes targeting women, children, and vulnerable populations, emphasizing prevention, policy, and technology-driven solutions. Attendees participated in discussions on training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals, victim support, legislative advocacy, and education.

“Human trafficking and violence affect every community, including college campuses,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “At Pace, we are committed to supporting survivors and educating our community on how to recognize and respond to these crimes. This conference reflects the engagement of every school, faculty, student, and staff member at Pace.”

As part of the event, Pace University announced that it is the first institution in New York State to officially partner with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, a national public awareness initiative designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry professionals on identifying and responding to potential human trafficking cases.

The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

• David Weiss, chief of the Human Trafficking Unit, Kings County District Attorney's Office
• Kevin Metcalf, director of the Human Trafficking Response Unit, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office
• Jessica Lamb, survivor, leader and founder, Atlanta Redemption Ink
• Francine Bono-Neri, co-founder and president, Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
• Tina Wallace, detective inspector, Thames Valley Police Department, United Kingdom
• Anthony Kava, detective, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office
• Susie Vybiral, founder and CEO, Room Redux

Darren Hayes, conference moderator and associate professor of cybersecurity at Pace, highlighted the role of technology in combatting trafficking.

“An estimated 400,000 children go missing in the U.S. every year, and some experts believe the actual number is even higher,” said Hayes. “Technology plays a critical role in finding missing children, from geolocation data to digital evidence found in online images. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in these efforts.”

Panelists also discussed how traffickers often exploit existing relationships to target victims.

“It’s important to understand how the traffickers exploit people,” Weiss said. “Sex trafficking tends to happen with people who know each other. It can start with a simple conversation with the trafficker asking the victim ‘do you need something to eat or a place to stay’ and that grooming process can happen over time. The practitioners need to recognize the situation now to offer assistance and to provide the tools so minors and other potential victims can recognize a situation as well to help keep themselves safe.”

A group of Pace University professors also offered their take on how to combat human trafficking on the How Pace is Making a Difference Panel.

“One of the most important things is to raise awareness so people are able to identify the signs and know where there are resources for help,” said Cindy Kanusher, executive director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center.

“Education about the prevalence and realities of trafficking and violence against women is an imperative aspect of prevention, as is working collaboratively across disciplines to provide holistic, survivor centered and trauma informed responses and help. And finally, we must always start by listening and believing survivors so they know they will be supported.”

Kanusher was joined on the panel by fellow Pace professors Christen Cooper from the College of Health Professions, Cathryn Lavery, chair of the Criminal Justice Institute and Amelia Wilson, director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub Law School.

Pace University students also took an active role in the discussions, with many emphasizing how the conference deepened their understanding of human trafficking issues.

“This is a good way of connecting with people in the industry, as I am looking to have a career in federal law enforcement” said Caroline Coscia, junior criminal justice major at Pace’s NYC campus. “I always like to expand in my understanding more on human trafficking and violence against women. We don’t talk about these subjects enough. Conferences like these help students expand their knowledge.”

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.

We’re reaching the halfway point in the semester—a moment to take stock of our progress and set our sights on what’s ahead. With spring just around the corner, now is the time to refocus, push forward, and make the most of the opportunities before us. This month’s Pace Now highlights the drive, creativity, and ambition of our community—stories of collaboration, innovation, and students stepping up to seize new possibilities. Across our campuses, there’s a shared energy as new projects take shape, partnerships grow, and goals come into focus.

The second half of the semester is an opportunity to build on what we’ve accomplished so far. Whether you’re preparing for finals, pursuing new internships, or engaging in research, this is the time to lean in. Pace is a place where determination and effort open doors, and every step you take now—big or small—sets the foundation for what comes next.

Let’s keep moving forward together, supporting one another and striving for excellence. The finish line is in sight, and I have no doubt that the Pace community will cross it with strength and resilience.

PS: Keep an eye out for an exciting Commencement speaker announcement coming soon.

From a small farm town in Michigan to the high-energy world of live television, Will Schmid ’25 has always thrived when the stakes are high. Now in his final year as an Arts and Entertainment Management major at Pace University, Will has landed the opportunity of a lifetime—an internship at Saturday Night Live during its historic 50th season. But landing his dream gig didn’t happen overnight. After four years of applying to the SNL internship, Will finally got the call. What followed was a rigorous interview process and, as he puts it, a little bit of luck—“like winning the $1 billion lottery.” From networking with industry professionals to gaining hands-on experience through internships, Will has made the most of his time in New York City. His journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and the power of showing up.

In this Q+A, he shares what it’s like working at SNL, the mentors who shaped his path, and his advice for fellow Pace students looking to break into the entertainment industry.

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How did you land this internship at NBCUniversal? What was the application and interview process like?
I’ve been applying to the SNL internship application for four years. This was the first time I was asked to interview. The first interview was a prerecorded video and the next two were with people from the show. The best answer I can give to how I got this job is luck. I know there were plenty of other candidates with the same, if not better, resume than mine. Getting the job offer was like winning the $1 billion lottery.

Have any faculty mentors or Pace experiences helped shape your career aspirations?
Lubin Professor Chris Ramos has been more than an aid during my time at Pace. A number of experiences on my resume come directly from people and jobs he connected me with. He was more than willing to help me from the beginning. The first time I went and knocked on his office door he looked over my resume, talked to me about my goals, and gave his advice.

However, by far the most valuable thing he offers is his email blasts. Whenever someone reaches out to Professor Ramos about hiring, alumni or otherwise, he will send that message out to anyone on his emailing list. This is great for two things: first, you see and can apply to jobs you wouldn’t normally find, and second, you instantly have a connection to the hiring manager from Ramos. As a Pace student, especially an Arts and Entertainment Management major, the best thing you can do is introduce yourself to Professor Ramos.

SNL is celebrating its 50th anniversary. What has it been like working on such a historic season?
I’ve felt nothing but lucky and in shock. Every single person I have met and interacted with at the show is so incredibly talented. SNL has been what it’s been for 50 years because of the people. Just getting to watch them work is educational.

Who has been your favorite SNL host so far this season?
Nate Bargatze. I’ve been a Nate Bargatze fan for years now. I’m happy that he’s starting to get the recognition he deserves. He has a great dry sense of humor and plays a fantastic straight man that works great both on SNL and in his stand up.

Beyond SNL, you’ve had a range of entertainment industry experiences. How do you see this internship shaping your future career path?
SNL has always been the goal. I even said in my interview that SNL has always been at the end of the 30-year plan. It’s even the reason I came to school in NYC (SNL only has internships during the school year). I hope that my internship isn’t the end with the show, however, I’ve gotten to do more than I ever thought I would. It may be a cliché but 10-year-old me wouldn’t believe what I’ve gotten to do. Not just with SNL, but with most of my experiences in college.

You also spent time at the Cannes Film Festival through The American Pavilion. How did that experience shape your perspective on the global entertainment industry?
What really shaped my perspective was my internship with the International Emmy Awards in the screening department. There are so many high-quality shows and movies being made around the world that we will never know about. I always thought of America as the center of movies and TV. Now I think you could name plenty of places around the world where entertainment is just as impactful. I think the industry is both a lot smaller and a lot bigger than I know.

"College in New York City brings opportunities and life that I never thought I would have. "

What was the biggest adjustment when coming to New York City for college and work?
The biggest adjustment was the environment. I grew up in a small farm town in Michigan called Armada. Exact opposite of Manhattan. Growing up we were a 25-minute drive from the grocery store, now I’m a short walk away. Falling asleep at night I used to hear crickets through the window, now I hear FDNY Engine 55 every time it pulls out of the firehouse. Even though they are such opposing forces, I have such a great love for both. College in New York City brings opportunities and life that I never thought I would have. But my time in Armada is something I’m very nostalgic for and shaped me into what I am today. And no matter where I live or how bad our sports teams get, I will always be a Detroit fan.

How has being in NYC influenced your career and learning experiences?
The best thing this city can offer you is opportunities. All the jobs I’ve had in this city I couldn’t have had anywhere else. Some may argue this, but I believe it. No matter what you want to do in life, there is a place for it. For me, that was New York City. My two careers I want are SNL or being a firefighter for the FDNY. This year alone I’ve interned for SNL and taken the hiring exam for the FDNY.

What advice would you give other Pace students looking to break into the entertainment industry?
My dad would always say “The world is never going to come knock on your door.” So, why wait for it? Go out there and get it. Apply to the job you want every semester, even if they never reply. Take every opportunity you can get, even if it’s just a job for a day. My one day of work at the International Emmy Awards gala turned into a semester long internship. One day of work at an IATSE Local One house turned into three months of work over the summer. No matter what the job is, I always work to be the best I can at it. I’m not saying I try to be the best one there, but I always made sure I was the best I could be.