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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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From student leader to future law clerk, Joe Seminara '25 proves that determination and mentorship go a long way in law school.

Joe Seminara ’25 has a challenging undergraduate constitutional law class to thank for propelling his law school journey. “I come from a large Italian family,” shared Joe. “I was the first in my family to graduate from college. There are currently no lawyers in my family or even extended family. I always gravitate to things that I find challenging, and going to law school was just that. When I was a sophomore in college, I took Constitutional Law which was, at the time, known as one of the most challenging classes at my college. I spent hours just trying to understand the fundamentals of the class, feeling like I’d never make it to the final, when my professor asked me if I had any aspirations for law school. While I sort of laughed at his question, the idea stuck and after some research, I decided to pursue a legal education.”

Joe chose the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University because of its location close to his home and the school’s reputation for producing successful attorneys. “Pace Haub Law exceeded every single expectation I had,” said Joe. “I really appreciate the sense of community. It never felt like a competition; everyone wants to see each other succeed. Pace Haub Law alumni were also generous with their time and advice to current law students.”

Generosity of time extended to the faculty as well, recalls Joe. “Professor Bridget Crawford was an excellent mentor. She believed in me when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself.” After excelling in her Federal Income Tax course, she asked Joe to serve as her Teaching Assistant – an opportunity that surprised and motivated him. Joe excelled once again and went on to become Professor Crawford’s Teaching Assistant for Wills, Trusts & Estates as well. “Professor Crawford encouraged me to put my best foot forward and truly made me feel like there was a place for me at the Law School to not just be a student, but to contribute to something larger and help others,” shared Joe.

Professor Crawford encouraged me to put my best foot forward and truly made me feel like there was a place for me at the Law School to not just be a student, but to contribute to something larger and help others.

Joe fully immersed himself in academic and extracurricular life at the Law School. In addition to serving as a Teaching Assistant, he was a Dean’s Scholar, Articles Editor for the Pace International Law Review, and a participant in the Advocacy Program’s ABA Law Student Tax Challenge. Joe also spent his 1L and 2L summers working at firms and gaining exposure to varied areas of law. “I had so many diverse experiences during my time in law school, which really helped shape my professional goals.”

Joe’s hard work paid off. After he takes the bar exam he will begin as an Assistant Law Clerk for a New York Court of Appeals Judge, a very coveted and prestigious opportunity within New York’s highest court. After his clerkship, he hopes to join a law firm in New York City.

His advice for success to future law students is simple: “Get involved. Network. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable at times. Take varied classes. Pursue every opportunity available. Law school is hard. However, if you are willing to put the time in you will be rewarded.”

The youngest of seven, Kyle Davis-Edwards ’25 grew up in a loving, humble household where his parents held him to high expectations. “My parents enrolled me in a private high school with the expectation that I excel in the school’s top tier sports and academic programs,” shared Kyle. “While my parents were strict, it was their guidance that cultivated me into the disciplined and driven person I am today.”

A first-generation law student, Kyle describes himself as someone who always wanted to be a catalyst for change – a fixer. “Growing up, I saw many problems within my community. I wanted to right all the wrongs that I saw in the world. I learned quickly that one way to do that was to study law and become a lawyer. I didn’t know any lawyers in my community, so I decided to be the first.”

For Kyle, pursuing his legal studies at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University was a natural fit. “I loved my law school experience. There are so many people from so many places, and we acknowledge that we are all collectively in the same “fight.” The Law School campus community has always been a safe space where people and their views feel safe, respected, and heard. Pace Haub Law has what every student should want in their academic experience.”

The Law School campus community has always been a safe space where people and their views feel safe, respected, and heard. Pace Haub Law has what every student should want in their academic experience.

The classroom experience for Kyle is one that stood out to him, in particular his classes with Professor Smita Narula. “From day one, Professor Narula made sure that all students felt safe in her classroom. She fostered a classroom that empowered us to open our minds and explore more. She also always made herself available to students for any academic help in understanding complex legal issues.”

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During his time in law school, Kyle pursued a variety of hands-on legal experiences as well. He interned with Roc Nation, with the Brooklyn County District Attorney’s Office, as a Criminal Justice Clinic Student Attorney, and at a private firm. “I gained so much from each of my internship experiences,” said Kyle. “I would like to pursue a career in entertainment law and intellectual property law and these experiences have helped to solidify that for me.”

While balancing his studies, Kyle was also an active member of several student organizations and also participated in the Black Entertainment Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA). “I had the opportunity through BESLA to participate in their 44th Annual Conference held in Mexico. It was a very humbling and inspiring experience.” Throughout the conference, Kyle spoke on several topics, including how to leverage internships experiences for in-house roles, the modernization of streaming royalties and artist advances, as well as how to prioritize health and wellness, specifically while in law school. At the conference, Kyle was awarded the BMW Ultimate Achiever Award, for his scholastic and extracurricular achievements. “I made so many connections at the BESLA Conference and spoke at length about my positive experiences at Pace Haub Law.”

His advice for future and current law students is to network, get involved early, and don’t give up. “From humble beginnings to the milestone moments I’ve achieved, my story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of a strong support system.” Kyle also stressed the importance of finding time to unwind. “If I wasn’t studying in the library, you could undoubtedly find me at the gym or a restaurant in Manhattan eating with friends and family. I like concerts and sports games. Law school is tough, but a Knicks game was certainly the inspiring reset needed to push through.”

Kyle is excited to begin his legal career with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. “I look forward to sharpening my litigation skills and becoming the advocate that people need. I want to contribute to the legal field in a meaningful and purposeful way, using my voice where it matters most and in pursuit of true, fair, and equitable justice.”

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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is excited to announce that Professor Rachel Rothschild has been selected to receive the 2025–2026 Pace Haub Environmental Law Distinguished Junior Scholar Award. The Haub Environmental Law Distinguished Junior Scholar Award is presented annually to an emerging junior environmental law professor who exhibits scholarly excellence and promise at an early stage in their career. The Haub Environmental Law Faculty solicits nominations from law professors throughout the country and selects a recipient from that pool of nominations. The award recipient is invited to present his/her recent scholarship to the Pace Haub Law community.

Professor Rachel Rothschild is an assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School. Before joining the Michigan Law faculty, she was a legal fellow at the Institute for Policy Integrity. From 2015 to 2017, she was an assistant professor and faculty fellow at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Professor Rothschild’s scholarship sits at the intersection of environmental law, history, and policy. Her recent research examines climate change law and policy as well as the past and present regulation of toxic substances.

“Professor Rothschild’s interdisciplinary scholarship allows for a unique perspective and approach to environmental law, climate change, and regulatory law and has already influenced the adoption and design of environmental statutes,” said Katrina Fischer Kuh, Faculty Director of the Environmental Law Program and Haub Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. “Our Pace Haub Law community looks forward to welcoming and engaging with Professor Rothschild and learning from her in these subject areas.”

Professor Rothschild is the author of Poisonous Skies: Acid Rain and the Globalization of Pollution (University of Chicago Press, 2019) and has written numerous articles and essays on pollution problems for academic journals and media outlets. Her recent publications include The Origins of the Major Questions Doctrine, which examines how a legal challenge against a toxic chemical regulation became foundational precedent for the newly named major questions doctrine. She has also co-authored a paper, Development of the Navigation Guide Evidence-to-Decision Framework for Environmental Health, that aims to improve the use of science when regulating toxic chemicals, and has explored how physicists shaped judicial understandings of environmental expertise in the article Physicists as Environmental Experts. She is currently working on her second book project, tentatively titled Environmental Science and the Administrative State, which will examine the history of environmental science, regulation, and the courts from roughly the 1970s to the present.

“I am so thrilled to receive the 2025–2026 Pace Haub Environmental Law Distinguished Junior Scholar Award,” said Professor Rothschild. “It is an enormous honor to follow in the footsteps of previous award winners, who are a formidable group of scholars. I am also extremely grateful to the faculty at Pace Haub, many of whom provided incredible mentorship to me as I was preparing to transition to legal academia. It will be wonderful to share my recent scholarship with such an outstanding group of environmental law professors and receive their feedback on my work.”

Professor Rothschild holds a JD, cum laude, from NYU School of Law, where she was a Furman Academic Scholar, and a PhD in history of science from Yale University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She earned her BA, magna cum laude, from Princeton University.

Professor Rothschild will deliver the lunch keynote presentation on State Climate Superfunds at the 12th annual Future Environmental Law Professors Workshop organized and hosted by the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.