Success Stories

Tell us a bit about your background.

I was born and raised in Ukraine. During my childhood and teenage years, I used to play soccer professionally for soccer clubs Shakhtar Donetsk and Metallurg Donetsk. I came to the United States when I was 17 to go to college in New York. I lived with my older sister for a while until I decided to join the military. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, I graduated from Pace University in New York City and started at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in Fall 2021. My parents still live in Ukraine. My father is an electrical engineer, and my mother is a college professor. My sister continues to live in New York and works as a tax lawyer for a large international law firm.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

My sister was an original source of inspiration for me because she told me about her law school experience and some of the cases that she had worked on early in her legal career that had a real impact on other people’s lives. While she currently works as a corporate tax lawyer, she also does a significant amount of pro bono work for clients in need of immigration, tax and other advice. Similar to her, I want to be able to help immigrants obtain legal status in the US, as well as help people in need have proper representation in courts. Eventually joining efforts with my sister would be an added bonus! 

What activities are you involved in as a student?

I have been involved in Pace Veterans Association since my undergraduate years at Pace University. As a member of this organization, I have participated in numerous events throughout the years, such as Veterans Day parades, 9/11 events, job fairs, and speaking panels with military leaders. Being involved in Pace Veterans Association has been an extremely positive experience for me because I got a chance to be a part of a really dynamic veterans’ community and became friends with lots of other student veterans. Throughout our undergraduate years, we have supported each other on both academic and personal fronts. At Haub Law, I have joined the Military Law and Veterans’ Society and am looking forward to meeting my fellow veteran law students there. I have also recently become involved in the Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law Society and the Criminal Justice Society at the Law School.

Thank you for your service. Can you speak about that experience?

The years I spent in the military have been life-changing for me. Completing boot camp in Parris Island was a very tough experience, which taught me to persevere and withstand any challenges. After completing the boot camp, I went to Marine Combat Training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and then Supply School (Logistics) in Camp Johnson, North Carolina. Subsequently, I was assigned to 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines (Infantry Battalion) aboard Camp Pendleton, California. In Camp Pendleton, I had two jobs –Supply Administration and Combat Marksmanship Coach. As part of the Supply Administration job, I had to account for the property of my Battalion, as well as place requisitions for the items that we were deficient on. I also had to oversee and manage the budget that my Battalion could spend on various items. As the Combat Marksmanship Coach, I had to supervise Marines on the shooting ranges, make sure that they adhere to the safety procedures, and correct their shooting positions so they could become more proficient in their shooting skills.

During my service, I have been deployed to Okinawa, Japan for 7 months. I also received a number of awards from the military, including three Certificates of Commendation for exemplary performance and Certificates of Recognition for volunteer services. As part of such volunteer services, I, among other things, helped US veterans who were homeless, displaced or disabled to find shelter, search for jobs, and prepare for job interviews.

What does it mean to you to be a veteran?

Being a veteran is of great importance to me. While serving in the Marine Corps, I have experienced a unique sense of comradery, friendship and support for each other. Every year when I march with Pace University in the Veterans Parade on November 11^th, I experience very special moments of pride, joy and happiness. Military service has also had an impact on my law school experience. Mainly, it taught me mental and physical discipline, which I regularly incorporate into my law school life.

What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

I love to play soccer, run and exercise at the gym – I find that regular physical activities help me stay focused in school. I also like to spend time with my family and friends and read about sports.

What advice would you give a new or prospective law student?

Attending law school is a challenging, but very interesting path. Be ready to work hard and put in the hours and I am sure your efforts will pay off in the future.

This past summer, 3L Dana McClure clerked at the law firm Shute, Mihaly, and Weinberger LLP based in San Francisco, CA. Dana spent the summer working on a variety of substantive projects ranging from researching novel issues in federal environmental law to drafting language for trial briefs. She notes, “Every day I was able to work on something new and interesting. Going into the experience, I hoped to gain hands-on experience with substantive litigation work, which I definitely received.”

Before attending law school, Dana lived in Oklahoma, where she experienced the devastating environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing firsthand. The editor-in-chief of Pace Environmental Law Review, Dana has spent the last two plus years at Haub Law immersing herself in all the environmental law program at the law school has to offer. “I came to Pace specifically for its environmental law program and upon graduating I hope to use my legal education to help transition away from the use of fossil fuels.”

Despite spending more than half of her law school experience amidst a pandemic, Dana feels prepared to graduate in May. “There have been challenges, particularly with COVID, but I have learned and grown a lot in my time here.”

Caesar Lopez fell in love with the Haub Law campus immediately upon visiting the School. “Location was an important factor for me. Additionally, I really liked that the Law School had relationships in and around Westchester and NYC with prestigious businesses, firms, and institutions. I ended up with my first job out of Haub Law at Beiersdorf, Inc., a global skincare company. This position would not have been possible without my experience in the externship program at Haub Law.”

The positive experiences and memories Caesar has from his time at Haub Law are abundant. “Externships were key. I loved my classes in Intellectual Property, Licensing, Entertainment Law, and Business Planning. All of my professors were so passionate about their practice that I enjoyed every single class I took.” Often overlooked, Caesar very much enjoyed the social side of law school. “I was able to develop lifelong friends and a meaningful network of exceptional attorneys. The student organization aspect served me well also. I was also one of the four founders of the Pace Intellectual Property Sports and Entertainment Law Forum. This was rewarding because the law school faculty supported us in developing a new platform that piqued my interests in the intersection of law and sports.”

As far as favorite professors, Caesar notes, “I may date myself, but he was known as Professor Anderson before he was Dean Anderson.”

Fast-forward to today, Caesar is the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Orlando City Soccer Club of Major League Soccer and Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League. “I oversee all legal, human resources, administration, and government/external affairs.”

Now, as an alumnus, Caesar remains very involved with Haub Law. Although he is based in Florida, he is intimately involved in the Alumni Board and willing to chat with any prospective students or current students about their careers. A regular donor to the law school, giving back is very important to him. “Simply, I like to pay if forward and I believe we all have a duty to help the next generation of students make a difference.”

“My experience at Haub Law has been a blessing. From my first day stepping on this campus, I knew this was my home for the next three years of my life. Not only did this school made a great first impression, but they have maintained their commitment to my colleagues and me throughout our legal education. I could go on and on thanking and being grateful to our career counselors, financial aid professionals, media personnel, professors, chefs in the dining hall, janitors, and so many more. At Haub Law, I am around people who accept me and are genuine – long after I graduate, it will always be a place that I call home.”

Michael Mingo is a 3L who is expected to graduate in May 2022. This past summer, he was a summer associate in the Legal Department of the American Civil Liberties Union of New York (NYCLU). As a summer associate, Michael performed legal research and writing, was regularly briefed on policy throughout New York State, and was given a variety of assignments on a weekly basis. Michael notes that at the NYCLU he was “primarily responsible for conducting legal research on pressing and often nuanced issues the NYCLU faces. Much of my work this summer revolved around protecting the civil liberties of all New Yorkers. In doing so, I worked to protect First Amendment rights, Sixth Amendment rights, and Equal Protection and Due Process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. I gained a more extensive network of skilled and passionate professionals.”

While at Haub Law, Michael is focusing on criminal law and upon graduating hopes to pursue a career in criminal defense. “I hope to join alongside a group of other passionate attorneys who, just like me, are committed to the individuals and communities impacted by our criminal legal system.”