Success Stories

Júlio Borges knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue a legal career. “Law was something that I was always interested in and I knew I wanted my career path to reflect that.” Realizing his goals, in 2003 Júlio became a law graduate from the Center of Superior Studies of Maceio (CESMAC), which is located in his hometown of Maceio, Brazil.

After completing his law degree, Júlio became a federal attorney in Brazil.  It was during this time that Júlio began to take his legal education even further. In 2009, he concluded a 2 years’ post-graduation program in public law at the University of Brasilia.  Desiring to further his studies, he pursued admittance to a LLM program. “Completing a LLM program in Environmental Law in a globally well-recognized law school, such as Pace, was a long-time dream of mine. Being admitted to Pace Law, with a generous scholarship, was one of the brightest moments of my life.” 

Júlio fondly remembers his experience in the LLM program at Pace. “At the beginning of my studies, as a native Portuguese speaker, with English and French being my second languages, I was nervous as to how I would keep up. However, I was so lucky to have such amazing professors who guided me along the way.”

While at Pace, Júlio took classes in International Environmental Law taught by Professor Nicholas Robinson. “This is a highly complex legal field that requires an outstanding scholar, such as Professor Robinson to teach it properly. It was an honor to be taught by an internationally leading icon in the field.” Júlio also took classes in administrative law and environmental law, both with Professor Margot Pollans. He describes these two courses as “fundamental” for his understanding about the legal reasoning and methodology of environmental law and policy in the United States. “Professor Pollans was such a dedicated professor and I am so grateful to her. I enjoyed every moment of her classes.”

Part of the LLM program at Pace Law is completing a significant thesis. “The thesis aspect of the degree is time-consuming and intellectually challenging, I do not feel as though I could have completed the program without the guidance of Professor David Cassuto. He was my guide, my reference, throughout the entire LLM program. And, he was my academic supervisor. I wrote my thesis, which was for 6 credits, on a particularly controversial and challenging subject:  the risks of cost-benefit analysis for environmental regulation in Brazil. Professor Cassuto’s ongoing support, during the thesis process and generally, was fundamental to my successful journey at Pace.”

Rounding out his experience at Pace Law were the relationships that Júlio built with his LLM classmates, both American and foreign.  “We shared ideas and learned from one another’s personal experiences. We also all had the wonderful opportunity to study law in the perfect atmosphere that is the Pace Law campus. The entire experience was unforgettable.”

After concluding his LLM at Pace in January 2018, Júlio returned to Brazil and a few short months later and became an associate attorney with the Brazilian EPA’s General Counsel Office. “In this position, I have been leading a division responsible for all national legal strategies and intelligence service on environmental litigation on behalf of the federal agency.”

Júlio remains in touch with many of his fellow LLM classmates and the faculty at Pace Law. “Pace Law has an international reputation for their LLM program and many contacts in Brazil and all over.” When asked if he had advice for any current or future international LLM students, Júlio simply states, “Go to Pace Law! You will receive a one of a kind legal education and learn more than you imagined. The professors and your classmates are your support system and will help you accomplish the goals you set out for yourself.”

With his 2L year underway, Christopher Emch '18 is already looking ahead to next semester, when he will participate in Pace's prestigious Federal Judicial Honors Program and spend the spring interning with a federal judge. "I chose this path because learning the mechanics of our judicial system from inside a judge's chambers is an invaluable experience," Christopher says. "What better way is there to be an effective advocate for your client than to understand the expectations on the other side of the bench?"

Reflecting on his initial decision to attend Pace, Christopher cites two motivating factors. "First, the school offers significant value for the amount of time and money that students invest in their JD," Christopher explains. "Pace's academic programs are built to prepare students for the bar, and its merit-based financial aid offering means that I will graduate without a mountain of debt." Christopher also points to the extensive career placement resources available to students. "The legal field is fiercely competitive," Christopher says, "but Pace's career advisers have connections to some of the profession's most sought-after law firms and public-sector employers."

Beyond affordability and outcomes, Christopher also identifies what he considers the most underrated factor in choosing a law school: camaraderie. "I found a great group of friends at Pace," Christopher says, "and I think many of the students in our class have had a similar experience. We motivate each other and provide a much-needed dose of humanity when the hours get long or the work gets particularly arduous. Each law school has its own culture that way, and I am fortunate to have chosen one where I feel quite at home among my classmates."

Kristyn Francese (J.D. 2018) always knew she wanted to go to law school.  “I am very problem-solving focused and I thoroughly enjoy learning.  Both my mother and my uncle are Pace Law alums, and with Pace being in my home county (Westchester), coming here was a no-brainer.  I did not even apply to any other law schools.”

Once Kristyn started at Pace Law she jumped right in.  She joined the Corporate and Commercial Law Society, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and obtained a position as Professor Darren Rosenblum’s research assistant for the spring semester of her first year.  “I wanted to immerse myself and hit the ground running.  In particular, the opportunity to serve as Professor Rosenblum’s research assistant has been invaluable.  Not only did I dive deep into areas I had not previously explored, but the guidance that he gave me throughout my law school career has truly gotten me where I am today.”

When asked about one of the most valuable experiences of her law school career, Kristyn does not hesitate to answer with the Federal Judicial Honors Program.  “My experience participating in the Federal Judicial Honors Program was instrumental to say the least.  As a law school student, I was able to say that I have seen the inner workings of a federal judge’s chambers, which is fascinating.  It is also ultimately what led me to pursue a federal clerkship post-graduation.”

Prior to participating in the FJHP, Kristyn had the opportunity to intern for the Honorable Francesca E. Connolly, New York Appellate Division, Second Department.  In that experience, Kristyn conducted legal research on civil and criminal issues on appeal, drafted legal memoranda for ongoing Second Department appellate proceedings, and even had the opportunity to draft a judicial opinion and order.  Kristyn notes that “some of the most valuable time I spent as a judicial intern was in chambers, discussing complex questions of law on appeal with the Judge and her Law Clerk.”

After her Summer with Judge Connolly, Kristyn went on to complete an externship with the Honorable Cathy Seibel, United States District Court, Southern District of New York as part of the FJHP.  In this time, she assisted law clerks with research, prepared bench memoranda, and drafted decisions regarding pending motions before the Court.

In addition to the Federal Judicial Honors Program, Kristyn spent time while at Pace concentrating on financial compliance.  During her last summer while in law school, she was a Summer Associate for a boutique financial services law firm.  Eventually, Kristyn would like to work on the regulatory side of securities litigation – such as with the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or one of the regulators like FINRA or the CFTC.  And, even further down the road, she would like to work for a financial firm, such as a broker-dealer, bank, or investment advisor, in the hopes of transferring her skills and experiences to these institutions to help them create and enforce strong compliance programs and hopefully help them avoid securities laws violations and the ensuing litigation.

Immediately next on Kristyn’s radar is the bar exam and then her clerkship.  In July, she will sit for the New York Bar Exam with plans to sit for the California Bar Exam in 2019.  Later this Summer, Kristyn will move to San Diego where she will be clerking in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California.  “I am looking forward to the next chapter.  I will miss Pace, but am so thankful for the experiences I had and all that I learned and gained.  I would absolutely not have the opportunities I have had and continue to have without my Pace Law education and if not for the amazing relationships and guidance from Professors Darren Rosenblum, Bridget Crawford, and Jill Gross.”

As for advice for current and future students:  “My biggest piece of advice to incoming law students is to prioritize law school in a way where it – attending class, doing the readings, participating, etc. – is not optional.  This can be tough at first, and it may take a while to get into the swing of things, but once your mindset is changed, the path for success has been paved.  I would also tell students to take advantage of the opportunities that Pace gives them.  I don’t necessarily mean over commit yourself by joining every club or to getting involved with every program.  Instead, students should really focus on what opportunities would fit best with their interests, goals, and resume.  For example, I am not necessarily litigation/advocacy focused, so I did not join trial teams or participate in the advocacy programs.  I am much more transactional and I enjoy research and writing.  That is why FJHP and a guided externship at FINRA worked for me.  There are plenty of opportunities – programs, teams, clinics – to fit each students’ particular circumstances.  You just need to take advantage of them.”

Meghan J. Summers ‘12 received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, graduating summa cum laude and first in her major with a 4.0 GPA. As an undergraduate student at Cornell, Meghan studied communications, a major which allowed her to hone her writing and public speaking skills. She also spent time as a legal trainee at a solicitor’s firm in Dublin, Ireland, where she learned to draft contracts, perform legal research, and even assisted in writing a book chapter on Ireland’s cartel immunity program. It was this experience that made Meghan first realize her passion for the law.

After graduating from Cornell, Meghan spent a year working as a paralegal at Kirby McInerney LLP, a boutique litigation firm in New York City specializing in individual and class action securities fraud, antitrust, and qui tam litigation. As a paralegal, Meghan learned the rules of civil procedure and legal citation – skills that would come in especially useful in the years to come. She also solidified her plans for law school, applying to Pace Law School, where she was accepted with a full tuition scholarship.

While at Pace, Meghan continued to work part-time as a law clerk at Kirby McInerney. She also immersed herself in every opportunity that Pace had to offer. For example, she participated in Pace’s Federal Judicial Honors Program, through which she obtained an externship in the chambers of Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison, United States District Court, Southern District of New York. The Judicial Honors Program also allowed Meghan to get to know one of her favorite professors, Jill Gross. “Professor Gross was my mentor for the program and worked with me on my writing piece.  She was one of those rare professors that took a real interest in her students, always having thoughtful and constructive feedback and advice to offer.”

At Pace, Meghan also served as an articles editor for the Pace Law Review and as a research assistant for another of her favorite professors, Professor Thomas McDonnell, during which time she edited and cite-checked a book Professor McDonnell authored on international law and terrorism. Meghan also spent a semester at University College London as part of Pace’s London Law Program. While there, she took courses on various aspects of international and EU law. Finally, Meghan participated in the Suspension Representation Project as a student advocate, where she represented New York City public school students at school suspension hearings.

During law school, Meghan also obtained various legal internships. During her 1L summer, Meghan served as an intern at the John Jay Legal Services, Criminal Justice Clinic: Post-Conviction Project, where she worked alongside Professor Adele Bernhard to help exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals through the presentation of newly discovered evidence. During her 2L summer, Meghan worked on criminal and family law cases at the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. Meghan also spent time during both summers (and throughout the school years) working for Kirby McInerney. After graduating from Pace summa cum laude in 2012, Meghan accepted an Associate position at Kirby McInerney.

At Kirby McInerney, Meghan specializes in complex commercial litigation, including the representation of plaintiffs in, inter alia, individual and class action lawsuits involving securities and commodities fraud, structured finance fraud, antitrust, consumer fraud, and common law torts. She is currently litigating several noteworthy cases, including In re Libor-Based Financial Instruments Antitrust Litigation and In re Foreign Exchange Benchmark Rates Antitrust Litigation, the latter of which has already achieved partial settlements of over $2 billion. She is also working to expand the firm’s reach into Europe, where collective redress mechanisms are becoming more prevalent, particularly in the context of securities and antitrust litigation. In December 2017, Meghan was elevated to firm partnership, and is currently the youngest Partner Kirby McInerney has ever had.

In her spare time, Meghan volunteers with the animal rescue organization, Stray from the Heart, through which she rescued her own dog from Puerto Rico in 2015. She is an avid fitness enthusiast and is currently training for her second Spartan Race, and she also loves to travel internationally whenever she can. Meghan’s advice for current and future law students? “Work hard, have an open mind, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. You never know who you will meet, what you will learn, and where each opportunity will take you. Foster relationships with your professors, with one another, and with others around you – those relationships are invaluable. Don’t forget to give back. Being a member of the legal profession is a privilege and with that, comes the responsibility to help the less fortunate. And most importantly, figure out your passion and pursue it with all your heart. It is so much more rewarding when you live to work, rather than work to live.”