Class Notes and In Memoriam

April 2023

Laura D. Barbieri '84 was ranked #79 on City & State's 2023 Law Power 100. She is special counsel to Advocates for Justice.

Mackenzie Ferguson '18, Putnam County Assistant District Attorney, was the keynote speaker at the Putnam County Youth Bureau awards dinner.

Sulay Grant '11 was recently appointed as a NYC Housing Court Judge.

Eyleen Hawkins '93 received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Legal Aid Chicago for Pro Bono work she performed in 2022.

Sarah Kettenmann '14 has joined Shipman & Goodwin as an Associate in the Environmental Law Practice Group.

Steven Lapkoff '16 has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer and Counsel at Hound Partners, LLC.

Yasmin Laskar '22 recieved an offer from NYC Administration for Children's Services, to begin after her current clerkship ends in the summer of 2023. Yasmin also married her now husband Adham M. Elsayed, Esq.

Melissa Ryan Reitberg '17 has joined the law firm Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP. 

In March 2023, Shamik Trivedi '08 left the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, where he was Special Counsel to the Large Business and International Division, to join the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy as an Attorney-Advisor. At Treasury, he will be working on tax procedure and administration matters.

James M. Van Nostrand LLM '11 was appointed as Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, effective as of May 1, 2023.

March 2023

Gerard Bilotto '96 was elected President of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County.

Jade Cameron '09 has joined Everlaw as a Customer Success Manager II.

Leigh Ellis ’15 has accepted an offer to join the tenure-track faculty at Creighton University School of Law. She will be teaching courses in Criminal Procedure and Evidence, among others.

Ryan Naples '08 has started a position as the Director of Public Policy at DailyPay, Inc.

Jerry Silber '83, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Verizon, was interviewed for the podcast "Contract Heroes." Jerry offers several strategies to accelerate contract negotiations and discusses the importance of post-contract obligation extraction.

Paola Toro '17 has joined the law firm of Bressler, Amery & Ross.

February 2023

Jeffrey Deskovic '19 received news coverage in connection with his first wrongful conviction that he helped overturn as a lawyer. The client, Andre Brown, was wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years. Coverage included, CBS News, News 12, the Davis Vanguard, and the New York Law Journal.

Justin Guido '13 was featured in a Q&A article on Law.com on how he made partner at RumbergerKirk.

Harold E. Kaplan, B.B.A. ’72, J.D. ’83, Florida Board Certified in Health Law 1995-2020, and admitted in New York, recently served as a scoring juror for the 2023 North Carolina Mock Trial Program’s regionals held in Hendersonville, NC. He also continues to be a volunteer attorney for Pisgah Legal Services in Asheville, N.C. Harold is the principal of Kaplan Arbitration located in Fairview, North Carolina, which focuses exclusively on nationwide arbitration of health care and contract disputes and arbitration case consultation.

Taylor Keselica '21 was hired as an associate by FLB Law, a full-service law firm. She will support the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice.

Fationa Mamo '15 was recently promoted to senior counsel at Wood, Smith, Henning and Berman.

Jacqueline Murphy '16 was elected to partnership with the firm Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman.

Stephan Rapaglia '01 was inducted into the latest class of the British Baseball Hall of Fame. He served as the Great Britain National Team’s head coach for seven years, beginning in 2004, and led the squad to one of its greatest performances in European Baseball history - a silver medal at the 2007 European Championships in Spain. Following his Haub graduation in 2001, Stephan worked as an associate in the real estate departments of Coudert Brothers, Baker & McKenzie and DelBello Donnellan before joining Urstadt Biddle Properties (UBP), a public real estate investment trust, as an in-house attorney. Stephan has been at UBP since 2008, where he now serves as COO and Real Estate Counsel. He will be providing advice to students in the Land Use Law Center on real estate transactions and the topic of low carbon land use.

Nicole Wiitala '16 was named a partner with the law firm Sanford Heisler Sharp.

January 2023

Glen P. Ahlers '14 was promoted to named partner and the firm name was changed from Rimland Law, P.C. to Rimland & Ahlers, P.C.

Rene Aponte '92, Bureau Chief, Complaint Room/ DAT Unit/ Arraignments with the Bronx DA's Office, was the 2022 recipient of the Thomas E. Dewey Medal from the New York City Bar Association.

Brian Kennedy '13 was promoted to partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP.

Jullee Kim (LLM '17) has been elevated to a member of the firm Cole Schotz P.C. Jullee is a member in the Environmental practice group based in the firm’s New York City office. Her practice focuses primarily on complex transactional and regulatory matters involving commercial and industrial properties.

Fred Mauhs (LLM '21) represented the Warnerville United Methodist Church when they ended up in controversy for opening a warming shelter for vulnerable people. Fred's representation aided the congregation towards a favorable ruling from the local Zoning Board of Appeals.

Hillary Nappi '13 was made partner at Hach Rose Schirripa & Cheverie LLP.

Taryn Ramey '22 joined the law firm of McCullough, Goldberger & Staudt, LLP.

Compton Spain '81 was named Putnam County Attorney.

Ben Wilkinson '10 was made partner at Barclay Damon. Ben is a member of the Labor & Employment and Commercial Litigation Practice Areas at the firm. Ben was also recently appointed as the chair of the Associate Integration Committee at Barclay Damon.

December 2022

Ashley Arcuri '19 has joined the firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP as an associate attorney. Her practice areas include elder law; Medicaid planning and applications; wills, trusts & estates; and special needs planning.

Paola Bettelli '16 co-authored (with UN ESCAP, UNEP, FAO and WHO) a Policy Guide to Operationalize the Environment-Health Nexus in the Asia-Pacific region. The policy guide aims to support policymakers and stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region to address environment-health risks and safeguard human health and well-being while protecting ecosystems.

Juliana Blackburn '97 was appointed to the bench in New Jersey as a Superior Court Judge. 

Sebastian D'Acunto '02 recently joined Connecticut law firm Pullman & Comley as a member of the trusts and estates practice.

Kathleen Gill '93 was appointed as the New Rochelle City Manager effective January 1, 2023.

Tanya N. Helfand '92 has joined the law firm of Schenck Price Smith & King as a partner with her entire team from family law firm Helfand & Associates. Helfand will chair Schenck Price’s Family Law & Divorce Practice Group.

Valerie Livingston '88 will become the first full time female City Court Judge in the City of Rye on January 1st, 2023. Judge Livingston has served in the role on a part-time basis for the last two years.

Melanie Scholosser '22 was featured in an article regarding the upcycling project she started, PuckerPress.

November 2022

William Diaz '09 was promoted to Senior Managing Attorney at Fragomen.

Fred R. Green '84 has received the Cornerstone Award from Lawyers Alliance for New York. The award is presented to outstanding business and transactional lawyers who have provided superior pro bono legal services to nonprofits that are improving quality of life for low-income New Yorkers. 

Randi (Heitzman) Imbriaco '02 has joined Greenberg Traurig as Of Counsel after spending time working in government and operations.

Phillip Musegaas '05 is the new Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper.

Anthony Schembri '88 chaired the 6th Global Webinar on Forensic Science. The 7th Global Webinar will be held in March 2023. 

October 2022

Jonathan Campozano '17, on behalf of Neighbors Link, presented his first CLE entitled Asylum 101 and the state of Immigration for Asylum Seekers. The CLE was one of several offered at the 9th JD Access to Justice Immigrant Rights and Services Sub-Committee’s Second Annual Professional Conference hosted by the Westchester County Bar Association. Luis Leon of Make the Road New York presented the CLE with Jonathan.

Megan Clancy '21 was sworn in as Assistant Prosecutor with the Camden County NJ Prosecutor’s Office.

Janice Dean '05 had her article, Remembering the Forgotten Community: Community-Based Supplemental Environmental Projects and Environmental Justice, reprinted in the environmental justice issue of The New York Environmental Lawyer.

Andrew Diaz-Matos '98 was appointed Chief Commercial Officer & Chief Legal Officer with Catalina Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd.

Robert Ernst '05 has joined Dilworth Paxson LLP as of counsel in the public finance and corporate and business practice groups in the firm's Philadelphia headquarters.

Kirstin M. Etela '04 has joined Day Pitney as a partner in its Environmental practice.

David Otonye King (LLM '17) is a director at Avinice Logistics Services Ltd.

Alicia Legland '20 and William F. Kellermeyer '20 presented on a panel regarding the Implementation of the CLCPA – Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, at the New York State Bar Association Environmental & Energy Law Section's 2022 Fall Meeting.

Susan Mulliken '11 started a new position as Assistant General Counsel at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Sumantha Rani Sedor '05 joined Foley Hoag LLP as a Partner in the Business Department.

Darci Weede '98 was appointed to the Yuma County Superior Court by Governor Doug Ducey.

Pearl Yea eun Lee '21 was highlighted for her generous donation to Drew University to help future first-generation students pursue research and career opportunities in the legal or medical field.

September 2022

Paul Adler '88 was presented with the Equal Access to Justice Award by Legal Services of the Hudson Valley at their 2022 Equal Access to Justice Gala. 

Adam Blaier ’16 was recognized by Best Lawyers Ones to Watch in America 2023 for his work in corporate law and technology law.

Thomas DeGrace ‘17, Jérôme Orlhac LLM ’17 and Alyse Velger ’17 were made partner at Milber Makris Plousadis & Seiden, LLP.

Charles DeStefano '86 was elected as the first Vice President of the Staten Island Trial Lawyers Association at its Annual Election meeting in June 2022. He was also chosen as main honoree for the 2022 Catholic Charity Annual Gala as recipient of the Father Drumgoole Award. This award is presented to a person for their exemplary contribution to the immigrant community. Additionally, Charles was selected as a member of the Chairman‘s Circle of the Democratic Party of Richmond County, which engages elected officials on constituent topics and other matters of relevance in the community. Guests include Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and NYS Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie.

Tara R. Di Luca '04 started a new position as an NFL Agent with the NFL Players Association.

Julian Gomez '03 has been reelected to the ParentChild+ Board of Directors.

Stephen Haas '02, Director of Education and Chief Academic Officer, National Paralegal College, has been appointed to the DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission) Board of Directors.

Domenica D. Hart ’05 started a new position as Coverage Attorney, Complex Casualty Claims for AIG.

Eliana Holloway ’22 is now an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

Tracy Loignon '87, a sole practitioner in Warwick, RI, practicing in estate planning, probate, guardianship, and small business matters, was honored with the 2022 Pro Bono Publico Award by the Rhode Island Bar Association.

Noah Lipman '84 began a new career in education as a college professor and Advance Placement High School Teacher after retiring from a successful career as a trial litigator in NYC. In 2021 he was named one of the 15 "Lights of the city of San Antonio" as a leader in the field of education.

Anna Marciano '00 has been promoted to Vice President of Sustainability for Nestles Zone North America.

Joseph Marutollo '10 received the Federal Bar Association's Younger Federal Lawyer Award in September 2022. The award recognizes younger federal lawyers who attain high standards of professional achievement and accords public recognition for outstanding performance. Joseph is Chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Claire Sutherlin McLeod, JD ’21, LLM ’22 is now an Associate Attorney for Beveridge & Diamond PC.

Christopher Messina '10 completed the full Ironman Lake Placid triathlon race in July and in September joined Loverboy, Inc. as General Counsel. Founded by current cast members of Bravo’s hit TV show Summer House, Loverboy is an alcoholic beverage startup crafting hard sparkling teas and wine-based ready-to-drink cocktails.

Joseph Moravec JD ’17, LLM ’17 started as senior attorney for Eileen Blessinger Legal PLLC.

Professor James Van Nostrand LLM '11 had his book, THE COAL TRAP: How West Virginia Was Left Behind in the Clean Energy Revolution, released by Cambridge University Press.

Denise A. Perez ’14 started a new position as Attorney at RI Immigration and Family Law Group.

Persephanie Quimby ’08 started a new position as Account Executive at NIMBL, Techedge Group.

Katelyn Rauh '21 has joined Fox Rothschild LLP in New York, NY as an Associate in the Litigation Department.

Michael Anthony Sargo ’16 started his own firm, The Law Office of Michael Anthony Sargo PLLC.

Basil Seggos '01 announced that he is taking a personal leave to assist in the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Christopher M. Tumulty '07 has joined Fox Rothschild LLP in New York as a Partner in the Litigation Department.

Joshua Verleun ’07 started a new position as Director of Permitting, Empire Wind at Equinor.

Dr. Huishihan Wang LLM '18, SJD '21 has been a postdoctoral fellowship researcher at the China Institute of Applied Jurisprudence at the Supreme People’s Court Of the People’s Republic of China since July 2022. In addition, Dr. Wang has published the article "China’s Public Interest Environmental Litigation and the U.S. Citizen Suit Model" in the Chinese Journal of Environmental Law 6(1):17-62, DOI:10.1163/24686042-12340076.

August 2022
Robert Arbuco '21 has joined the law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP as an associate attorney. Robert's practice areas include Medicaid Planning, Medicaid Eligibility and Applications and Estate Planning.

Kim Berg '95 was named part-time magistrate for the Southern District of New York.

Mike Caruso ’09 is now Special Counsel at Cuddy & Feder, LLP. 

Sarah Courtman ’04 started a new position as Executive Specialist for Crum & Forster.

Lauren C. Enea '16, an associate at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP, was recently honored at 914INC.’s 12th Annual Wunderkinds Reception. The awards celebrate business professionals under the age of 35 who are generating change across a spectrum of industries in Westchester County.

Laura E. Jensen '11, '12 joined the environmental practice at Preti Flaherty in Portland, Maine.

Yuriy Korol '20 has joined Helsell Fetterman — a Seattle-based law firm serving businesses, organizations, and individuals. Yuriy is part of the firm’s Real Estate and Land Use Group.

Samantha Lyons '12 has become a member of the law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. Samantha joined Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano as an associate attorney in 2013.

Kristen Motel '15 was recently appointed to serve as Chair of the Cannabis Law group at Cuddy & Feder LLP. 

John J. Ryan, Jr. '84 has retired from the bench as a municipal court judge and semi-retired from private practice.

July 2022

Imran H. Ansari '08 was on CNN, discussing Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard Trial. He was also a guest host on Law and Crime Live discussing the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial.

Lucille M. Barbato ’84 was honored by the Bronx Women’s Bar Association with a Citation of Merit award for her work in the law, community service and commitment to opening doors for others, especial women. 

Josh Berliner ’18 wrote for the June 2022 issue of the New Jersey Lawyer Magazine on New Jersey's recently-adopted Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) law. 

Deborah Brancato ’07 was a recipient of the Fairfield County Business Journal’s "40 Under Forty” award, recognizing dynamic industry leaders who have contributed to the Fairfield County business community.

Vadim Cherkasov '11 was named to the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 “Lawyers on the Fast Track." He is an intellectual property partner with McCarter & English. 

Rafael Corbalan '15, started a new job as an Associate Attorney for Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC working in their environmental department. 

Gerald Coviello '00, has formed a new law firm, Coviello Weber & Dahill LLP, with his brother Jeff Coviello, and their longtime colleagues William "Bill" Dahill and Paul Weber.

George C.D. Duke '02 joined Connell Foley LLP as a Partner in the firm's New York office.

Audrey Friedrichsen ’04 started a new position as Senior Climate and Renewable Energy Attorney at Scenic Hudson, Inc.

Najia Khalid '09 recently celebrated a decade at Wiggin and Dana and the 10-year anniversary of her developing her business immigration and compliance practice. While at Haub Law, Najia was involved in the Immigration Justice Clinic and a co-founder of the Muslim Law Students Association, on Honor Board, and was on the Board of the Asian American Law Students Association. We congratulate Najia on her continued success. 

Yuriy Korol ’21 started a new job as Associate Attorney at Helsell Fetterman LLP.

Congratulations to Haub Law alum Dana McClure '22 and rising 3L student Gabriella Mickel on being the first two editors for the Law Student Corner profile featured in the latest issue of NY Environmental Lawyer, a publication of the Environmental & Energy Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. We are proud of the student collaboration between NYSBA and Pace I Haub Environmental Law! Read the latest Law Student Corner feature on Page 19.

Kara N. Neal ’13 started a new job as Attorney The Fuentes Firm.

Erin Rowin ’05 joined Activision Blizzard as their new VP, Employee Relations. 

Brieanne Scully '17 joined Major League Soccer as Counsel. 

June 2022

Jonathan W. Campozano ’17 started a new position as Adjunct Professor at SUNY Westchester Community College. 

Erika Kissh ’19 started a new position as Associate Attorney at Withersworldwide. 

James Patrick Logan '17 will be starting a new position at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Office of General Counsel as a Senior Attorney in the General Enforcement Bureau.

Samantha A. Lyons '12 has become a member of the law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. Samantha joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2013.

Diona Piazza, ’22 is an incoming associate at Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP.

Anthony Schembri '88 will serve as the conference chairman of the 5th Global Webinar on Forensic Science sponsored by the Global Scientific Guild to take place in July. 

May 2022

Vadim Cherkasov '11 was selected as one of the Legal Intelligencer "Lawyers on the Fast Track" this year.

Gerald Coviello '00 started Coviello Weber & Dahill LLP, which will be based in White Plains.

Cassidy Crough ’12 was featured in the NY Post Article, NY Family Leave doesn’t help women after stillbirth: grieving mom, after experiencing the devastating loss of her daughter at 36 weeks.

Elizabeth Dank '05 joined TikTok's Trust and Safety team where she will assist in enhancing user safety and strengthening policies for gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, nudity and related areas. 

Jeffrey Deskovic '19 had his article "Wrongful Imprisonment and the Challenge of Social Reintegration" published in a special Looking Back section on the Davis Vanguard.

Jeffrey Deskovic's '19 article, "Opposing the Death Penalty Matter Before the Connecticut State Legislature," was featured in a special Looking Back section of the Davis Vanguard. He also had an op-ed published in the NY Daily News concerning the need for teenagers to have lawyers present when questioned.

Steven Epstein '92 is the head of the Steven Epstein DWI Defense Institute. The Steven Epstein DWI Defense Institute, hosted at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, is an educational program designed to teach lawyers how to defend DWI cases. Registration is now open for the 2022-2023 academic year, which commences in fall 2022.

Ashley (Devito) Grater ’12, started a new position as partner at Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP.

Maxwell Fine '10 is starting a new position as an Entrepreneur In Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures, supporting the Smartfin team in improving scientists' ability to collect data in our oceans to improve climate change research.

Erica Halstead '98 has joined the law offices of Womble Bond Dickinson. Her practice is focused on U.S. trademark prosecution, policing, enforcement, clearance, and counseling. 

Gillian Ingraham '16 has joined the law offices of Baillie & Hershman P.C. The firm opened a new Greenwich, Connecticut office, which Gillian will manage.

Samantha Irace '21 is starting a new position as Associate Counsel at The Silverman Group.

Ellie Jurado-Nieves has received the Social Equity and Community Empowerment award from the The Life Insurance Council of New York.

Seth G Kagan ’12 started a new position as the AVP of Environmental Claims at Aspen Insurance Group.

John Lettera '99 and his company, Fairbridge Asset Management (formerly RealFi Financial LLC), announced that they entered into a loan agreement for up to $100 million dollars with Oaktree Capital Management.

Marissa (Weiss) Logan '17 will be working at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Office of General Counsel (OGC), as a Senior Attorney in the Air Section of the Bureau of Climate, Air, and Energy. She will be focusing on toxics, State Implementation Plans, cross-state air pollution under CSAPR, and enforcement.

Caesar Lopez '12 was named Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.

Adam Marchuck '95 recently started working at Gro Intelligence as General Counsel.

Emily N. Masalski '05 has been elected to the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). The board directs the operations and activities of the statewide organization. She is Regulatory & Sustainability Counsel at Eaton Corporation, a global power management company. She was previously CEO & Founding Partner of Hunter Masalski LLC. Ms. Masalski was also recently appointed Chair of the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council by incoming ISBA President Rory Weiler. She serves as an elected at-large ISBA delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates and a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Nicholas M. Menasché '06 is now a partner with DellBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP.

Alison Morris '14 was profiled in the WWBA's April newsletter. 

Kristen Motel ’15 was promoted to partner at Cuddy and Fedder LLP.

Kash Patel '05 was interviewed by Fox News. 

Cassia R. Schaeffer '15 was recently promoted to partner at Cassin & Cassin LLP

Joan Schmidt was appointed by Pharvaris as Chief Legal Officer. In this role, she will lead all legal activities, including compliance and governance, in support of Pharvaris’ clinical drug development and commercialization strategies.

Jared Shababb '18 featured on The Encore Podcast to discuss ways to get paid with music, the reality of music contracts, when to hire lawyers & many more topics surrounding artists' success within their careers.

Maria Antonia Tigre (LLM '14, SJD '19) was invited to participate in the International Section of the NYSBA's 2022 NYC Summer Conference. The theme of the conference, which will be held on June 21 and 22, is The World Turned Upside Down: How Does Law and the Legal Profession Respond to the Tumultuous Last Few Years?

Veronique Urban '06 is starting a new position as Senior Associate at McGrail & Bensinger LLP.

Braem Velo started a new position as a director at Bank of America

Sara Vinson '11 is starting a new position as AVP, Industry Segment Leader, Real Estate & Hospitality Practice at Chubb.

Eric L. Balzer ’79 died suddenly and unexpectedly on May 28, 2020 – read more about Eric’s life here.

Phil Foglia ’80 died of complications from COVID-19 on April 21st. He was 69. Phil began his legal career at the Bronx DA’s Office, later as a Special Assistant US Attorney in the SDNY, a partner at a private firm, the Executive VP of SEBCO, and in August 2019, he retired after a lengthy career with the Office of the New York Inspector General as Chief of Investigations and Special Deputy Inspector General. Additionally, Phil co-founded the Child Reach Foundation. You can read more here and  here. Professor Ben Gershman notes: “The loss of Phil Foglia is immeasurable and incomprehensible. Phil was a leader at our law school as a student and alum, a champion in the fight against public corruption, and a hero to all Italian-Americans seeking to preserve their heritage. I am proud to remember Phil as my wonderful student and friend.”

Barbara Zernike '80 died on April 18, 2020. Read her obituary here.

The Honorable Steven Milligram ‘81, Orange County Supreme Court Judge, who was fighting the COVID-19 virus has passed away. Judge Milligram was a partner at Catania, Mahon, Milligram and Rider (now Catania, Mahon & Rider) and served eight years as Monroe Town Justice until his election in November to the Supreme Court justice seat for the Ninth Judicial District. He took office in January 2020. Read more here and here. Several professors remembered Judge Milligram fondly – Jay Carlisle notes: "Justice Milligram was an outstanding student at PLS, an extraordinarily successful lawyer and achieved his lifelong goal of being elected and installed in January of 2020 as a Supreme Court Justice of New York. May he rest in peace." Professor Jim Fishman remembers Steve as a pleasant student who seemed to enjoy law school. He notes that he is “glad he attained his life’s goal to become a judge, but so sad he passed away so soon.” Professor Humbach notes, “I remember Steve very favorably, a person with many friends who was obviously on his way to going somewhere in the profession. It is tragic to see the arc of his career cut short.”

Marilyn Davis '81 died on April 20, 2020. Read here obituary here.

Ingrid Ann (Petersen) Reuter ‘84 died at home in New York City on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Read her obituary here.

Michael J. Tomkovitch '84 died on May 16, 2020. Read his obituary here.


Donna Kramer ’85 passed away on Sunday, October 4 – learn more here.

David Bushman (’87) passed away on April 5, 2020 from COVID-19 complications. You can read his obituary here.

Ruth Kassel, a graduate of the class of 1988, died on May 5, 2020. Upon graduation, Ruth practiced family law. You can read her obituary here.

Dianne Rosen Pallmerine ’93 passed away on June 12, 2020. She was a very well-respected Elder Law Attorney and certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, an organization accredited by the American Bar Association. Read more about Dianne and her life here.

Alumna Ellen Belson (’94) passed away on June 21, 2020. After graduating from Pace, Ellen practiced elder law, wills, trusts, and estates in White Plains; she greatly assisted many elderly clients. Read more here.

Richard Blassberg ‘00 passed away on September 23, 2020. You can read his obituary here. Professor Emeritus Carlisle notes that Richard “was an outstanding graduate of our Law School and dedicated his life to helping others. I will miss him very much.” Professor Bennett Gershman also fondly remembers Richard. “Richard was my savvy and cynical student. He was always the rebel. A fierce fighter against injustice and abuse of power, Richard's scathing portrayal of Westchester D.A. Jeanine Pirro ("The Jeanine Machine") is a classic account of an unhinged and ruthless prosecutor. Richard's journalistic dissection of the cronyism and corruption of Westchester County politics was courageous, and devastating.  He has a special place in my life. His voice will be missed.”

Katheryn Linehan Ritchie '88 passed away peacefully on Monday, January 3, 2022.