Success Stories

Geographically speaking, Pace Law is a central hub for our students to find opportunities and experiences from a wide array of institutions. With its proximity to New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut, our students are able to fully take advantage of all that the law has to offer.

Crystal has been able to do just that. While exploring her love for criminal law, Crystal has been fortunate to participate in various internships and placements including the Bronx Legal Services, the Town of Greenburgh Justice Court, and the Criminal Justice Clinic here at Pace Law. Once a student has exhibited interest and success in a particular field, Pace Law assists them in obtaining Student Practice orders, allowing them to act as a practicing attorney, under the tutelage of an attorney mentor. As a third year student, Crystal has been able to represent her own clients charged with misdemeanor offenses in the Bronx County Criminal Court.

Through this work, Crystal has participated in arraignments, submitted motions and memoranda of law, negotiated with Assistant District Attorneys, prepped for trial and advocated for her clients in court. Like so many of our students, Crystal acknowledges that her work in the clinic has given her a more rounded understanding of the law and real-life experiences which set her apart.

Crystal is looking forward to working in the area of criminal law as a trial attorney after graduation. In the meantime, Crystal explains: “The more I learn about criminal law and its procedures, the more excited and eager I become towards working to achieve justice for all.”

In their second year, students sometimes feel the pressures of wanting to be involved in everything, and it can sometimes be overwhelming at first. Once a student obtains academic success, opportunities to be involved in various, prestigious organizations present themselves. After placing in the top 15% in her first year, Meghan is a testament to all that this campus has to offer.

During the conclusion of her 1L year, Meghan attended the Public Interest Fair held at NYU campus. With careful prepping by faculty and Career Development staff, Meghan was able to speak to institutional representatives and was afforded the opportunity to interview with several of them. Ultimately, Meghan was able to receive a student practice order and worked for the Pace Women’s Justice Center Family Court Legal Program. There, she was able to advocate for her clients in court to several family court judges. In her second year, Meghan is volunteering for the Courtroom Advocates Project where she files orders of protection for victims of domestic violence.

These hands-on experiences, coupled with her involvement in Pace’s Family Law Society and Women’s Association for Law Students, has given Meghan the tools and expertise she needs to be a strong advocate for public interest cases.

Due to the small and intimate campus at Pace Law, our students are able to really make a name for themselves. Sarah has been able to do just that, and was elected by the student body to serve as our Student Bar Association President.

Sarah was able to rise to such heights due in large part to her dedication to campus and involvement in various organizations. In her first year at school, Sarah was elected to represent the first year class and advocate on their behalf. She was then able to serve as Secretary to the Association in her second year because of the skills she exhibited right from the start. Sarah was set on being involved in the betterment of the student body as soon as she arrived on campus. Now Sarah is charged with overseeing the numerous student groups on campus, maintaining a budget, and planning events for the entire student body.

This tremendous leadership role, coupled with her certificate in Environmental Studies, has placed her in an ideal position to pursue her passions in the years to come. Any Pace Law student will tell you that student life on campus has soared to new heights because of Sarah’s efforts.

Take a poll of attorneys across the nation and they will tell you in unison that one of a lawyer’s most prominent skills is their oral advocacy. Here at Pace Law, our Advocacy Program boasts numerous Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, ranging in subject matter covering all aspects of the legal profession. As a part of a student’s first year at Pace Law, they participate in the Louis V. Fasulo First Year Moot Court Competition where they showcase their oral advocacy skills. Once a student has exhibited raw talent, they are inducted into a prominent group of students who participate in oral advocacy competitions, facilitated by Pace Law.

After demonstrating his strong and commanding advocacy skills in the first year competition, Christopher was one such student who was given the opportunity to participate in one of the world’s most formidable competitions. The Willem C. Vis Moot Court Competition – started twenty-five years ago by Pace faculty members – exposes our students to the world of international commercial arbitration. Christopher and his fellow teammates spend a full academic year dissecting the issues presented in the fact patter, researching applicable international law, and perfecting their oral arguments. Towards the end of the semester, the team flies to Vienna, Austria to represent Pace Law in the competition.

Due to his tremendous success his second year, Christopher was invited back to the Pace Law team as a captain in his third and final year of school. Christopher has been able to hone his advocacy skills, while also exploring a unique field of law. Christopher explains that because of this experience he is able to set himself apart from his peers, substantively engage in international law and current events, and has developed necessary skills in order for him to advocate on behalf of future clients.