A Civil Affairs Instructor in the United States Army Reserve, Devin Auriana has always had a passion for service. A member of the Army Reserve for 8 years, Devin is uniquely situated in his Civil Affairs position, where his department works closely with host nation governments and the civilian populace. “I was fortunate to deploy twice to the Horn of Africa, where I worked extensively in Tanzania and Kenya, teaching Game Wardens better techniques to catch poachers who were actively engaged in illicit trafficking,” stated Devin.
Shortly after returning home from his second deployment, Devin was given an opportunity to work for a non-profit organization geared towards helping Veterans and their families. “Specifically, my job was to assist homeless Veterans in my community and find them gainful employment. Our organization also offers peer services and helps Veterans find suitable housing, especially those that are homeless. Unfortunately, some of our Veterans would find themselves in need of legal counsel. We weren't able to offer such services and due to financial constraints, many could not afford an attorney. This made me realize the impact I could have as an attorney in helping communities in need of legal services, such as Veterans.”
Now, a 2L at Haub Law, Devin is thrilled with his Haub Law experience so far. “The professors here really stand out to me. Each of them have such impressive backgrounds and you can tell that they truly care about educating their students so they fully grasp the material presented. In particular, Professor Waldman, my Civil Procedure professor, has been a great educator. She teaches complex material in a relatable and understandable way. I have really enjoyed her class.”
Despite being a full-time law student, Devin also sits on the Dutchess County Veterans Affairs Committee. He is also a New York State Special Olympics Coach, where he coaches athletes with various disabilities in regional Special Olympics Games. After graduation, Devin’s goal is to continue to serve the public, gain experience, and ultimately provide legal counsel to those who need it, whether that is at a district attorney’s office, in a law firm capacity, or somewhere else. He notes, “With a law degree, there are so many opportunities to be able to help others. Ultimately, I would love to tie my experience and passion for helping Veterans together with my legal career – whether this is through pro bono work or otherwise.”