Lauren Stabile (’09) graduated from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and a minor in Fine Arts. In these areas of study, Lauren was able to develop her verbal and written communication skills, while simultaneously studying media, culture, and communication theory and analysis, using sociological, political, and historical frameworks. Additionally, throughout her undergraduate experience, Lauren was actively involved in the initiation and implementation of various community service programs. Then, after learning that she had accumulated enough credits in high school to graduate from NYU a year early, Lauren decided that a law degree, coupled with her enhanced communication skills, would aid her in pursuing a service-oriented career.
Lauren applied to and was accepted at Pace Law. Immediately after beginning law school, Lauren immersed herself in a variety of opportunities, seeking out those that would be the best fit for her skill set and personality. She was treasurer and then vice president of the Health Law Society, a Westlaw student representative, and a member of the Women’s Association of Law Students. Academically, Lauren excelled as Managing Editor of the Pace Environmental Law Review, and also earned her Environmental Law Certificate. She was also a Dean’s Scholar, a recipient of an Academic Achievement Scholarship during the entirety of her time at Pace, and part of the 1L Land Use Honors Program.
While at Pace, Lauren thoroughly enjoyed her classes and formed positive relationships with many professors. “It is difficult for me to pick a favorite professor because I was fortunate to have so many exceptional teachers and mentors while I was at Pace. Each professor provided me with a different tool that helped me excel while I was at Pace and thereafter.” Lauren pursued her interests in research, writing, and education, by working for two exceptional faculty members; Lauren applied and was chosen to be a Research Assistant for then Dean Michelle Simon and also for Professor Luis Chiesa.
After completing her first year of law school, during the summer of 2007, Lauren was a Judicial Intern with the Westchester County Surrogate’s Court in the 9th Judicial District right in White Plains. In this position, she was responsible for drafting decisions emanating from probate proceedings, reviewing motions, pleadings, and performing research. “It was a very hands-on learning experience, with great mentors – I was lucky to have had this opportunity – particularly so early on.”
Presented with another opportunity, after completing the fall semester of her 2L year, Lauren began as a Charities Bureau legal extern with the New York State Office of the Attorney General. It was a position that lasted from January through April and Lauren conducted extensive legal research and wrote memoranda on issues involving not-for-profit organizations and private foundations.
In her last summer as a law student, Lauren decided that she wanted to summer at a law firm, to counterbalance her public interest/government work. Ultimately, she chose to spend a summer as an associate with Cuddy & Feder LLP. While having a wonderful experience at this firm, by the end of that summer, Lauren realized that her passions remained with public interest/government work.
By the fall of 2008, Lauren was nearly certain of what she wanted to do post-graduation, so she applied to be a legal intern with the New York County District Attorney’s Office and was accepted. When Lauren graduated from Pace in May 2009, she attributed her steadfast knowledge of what she wanted to do to a specific Pace professor. “No one was quite as influential as Professor Carol Barry. Professor Barry’s Prosecution Externship Program allowed me to realize that my passions and skillset were best matched for prosecution and investigative work, and, with her support, I was able to leave Pace and start an incredibly gratifying career in these areas.”
After graduation, Lauren began her career with the prestigious New York County District Attorney’s Office. She spent the first five years of her career from 2009 through 2014 in the Trial Division. While in a trial bureau, Lauren handled cases involving domestic violence, larcenies, narcotics, identity theft, and various other misdemeanor and felony matters. While at the DA’s Office, Lauren was also selected to join the Sex Crimes Unit and from February 2014 until she left the DA’s office in March 2015, Lauren was appointed to join the Child Abuse Unit in the Special Victims Bureau. In this role, Lauren investigated and prosecuted crimes involving serious physical and sexual abuse of children 13 years old or younger. Throughout her time at the District Attorney’s Office, Lauren had a number of hearings and trials and honed her advocacy, case management, and investigative skills. Lauren described her time as a prosecutor as, “Incredibly rewarding; I learned more than I could have ever imagined and worked with amazing people.”
In 2015, Lauren took an opportunity to rejoin her undergraduate alma mater, NYU. She joined NYU as a Title IX Investigator for NYU’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), and was recently promoted to Deputy Title IX Coordinator. In this capacity, Lauren is primarily responsible for investigating and overseeing matters pertaining to allegations of sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and dating/domestic violence, pursuant to the University policy. “I am really enjoying my role with NYU. I am able to use my investigative background to look into allegations of misconduct. I also use the research, writing, and verbal skills that I honed at both NYU and Pace Law, on a daily basis, in multiple aspects of my job. Additionally, I get to serve my local community by developing and conducting prevention programs, educational workshops, and trainings, as well as participate in a variety of initiatives University-wide.”
Lauren notes that “there is so much you can do with a law degree.” Lauren is a great example - she went from an Assistant District Attorney to having a career in investigations and compliance within a University. “If I could give advice to current and future Pace Law students, I would tell them that law school is challenging - particularly the first year. I know this is common knowledge, but allow yourself to believe it, and do not let these obstacles discourage you. Highs and lows are a part of the experience, but the time goes by quickly. When it is over, you will walk away with treasured friendships, a powerful degree, and invaluable knowledge.”