Law School: Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Major: B.A. Law & Society
Minor: Digital Media & Journalism
Certificate: Dispute Resolution
Programs: Macaulay Honors College, Honors Program, Student Council, Peer Ambassador for the Office of Student Transition Programs, Pre-Law Institute (PLI)
Internships: Bronx Civil Supreme Court Judge Wilma Guzman ’78; New York City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal; Congressman Thomas Suozzi
John Jay Mentors: Dara Byrne, Ph.D., Adrienne Fitzgerald, Greg Donaldson
Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY
Today: Associate Attorney, Mauro Lilling Naparty, LLP
What was life like before John Jay?
I was involved in a lot of extracurricular activities—track, school newspaper, and poetry magazine. I also grew up with very heavy Greek influences because my grandparents are both from Greece. I went to Greek school, marched in the Greek parade, and learned Greek.
Why John Jay?
I knew college was a time for branching out and self-exploration and I wanted to go to a diverse school in New York City. John Jay College landed on my radar when my parents were doing a renovation at the house. Fortuitously, the woman who was hired to design my mom’s closet had a daughter who was applying to John Jay. She made the school sound so cool that I knew I had to visit. After walking into beautiful Moot Court, I knew I belonged at John Jay. After talking with some faculty members and administrators, I felt a warmth at the College that was so welcoming.
What sparked your passion in law?
Like so many students who see lawyers on TV, I was initially attracted to the profession because of the prestige, but when I got to John Jay my passion for law deepened and my desire to be a lawyer transformed. I grew up in a racially diverse town, but it was socioeconomically homogenous. Everyone could afford anything they wanted, an Ivy League education, summer camps, tutoring, sports, and extra-curricular activities. At John Jay, I encountered many people from different socioeconomic backgrounds—resilient people who started from nothing and worked multiple jobs to go to school, help support their families, and put food on the table. I worked closely with system-impacted students and undocumented students who became some of my closest friends. I learned so much about these communities that could benefit from having lawyers in their corner. Being a lawyer took on a whole new meaning. It meant I could help people find justice.
How did college activities help shape your experience?
At first, as a first-year student, I felt lonely and wanted to find a community. So, I thought that doing campus activities—like being the Bloodhound mascot and a peer ambassador—would be a good way to build friendships and create a network. And it worked. Being a peer ambassador deepened my passion for the College because I was constantly talking about all the great things John Jay had to offer. I ran for Student Council after my classmate Jasmine Awad ’19 asked me to run. She was running for president of the Student Council and genuinely wanted me to be part of the team. I loved the idea of being part of a group that affected change on campus. My dad helped me come up with my campaign slogan, “Band with Bandini” and I handed out Hershey’s chocolate bars with labels that had the slogan on them during the election. Once I was named secretary of the Student Council, I was able to administer polls, gather information on the things students liked and disliked, and help make decisions based on evidence. It was exciting to be a change-maker on campus.
How did your mentors help put you on the path to success?
Dr. Dara Byrne has such a passion for helping students succeed, it’s palpable. Throughout my four years at John Jay, she constantly pushed me to do my best, and to look at everything through the lens of the common good. She helped me focus my energy on how I can help society as a whole and make things more equitable and fair. Anytime I had an issue, I could stop by her office and talk things through with her.
I remember meeting Ms. Adrienne Fitzgerald when I was doing interviews for college. Prior to meeting her, I had an interview with another college in the city and it was one of the scariest interviews I ever had in my life—the interviewer was cold and intimidating. Hours after that, I had my John Jay interview with Ms. Fitzgerald and the experience was the complete opposite. She was like a mother: warm, caring, and attentive. When I became a John Jay student, whenever I needed her guidance and support, she was there. I really appreciated her because she truly looked after students. She helped us get into the classes we needed and find internships and opportunities so we could continue to grow. She was totally in my corner and continues to be to this day.
Greg Donaldson is a force in the classroom. He has this relaxed attitude about things, which counteracts my own energy. If I was stressing over an assignment, he would tell me to stay calm and remind me that we’re all human. He wrote a book about the prison system, interviewing prisoners, and getting to know them and their stories. It expanded his empathy greatly and had a huge impact on me, opening my perspective and teaching me to not fear anyone or anything because we’re all humans in the end. He also wrote several letters of recommendation for me that led to wonderful opportunities.
How did your internships help your career goals?
Working for Judge Wilma Guzman ’78 was huge. The experience really solidified my desire to go to law school and become an attorney. Throughout the internship, I had to write legal opinions and comb through dense legal documents. Judge Guzman always complimented my work. That helped me see that I had the chops to go to law school and become a successful lawyer. I had the chance to immerse myself in different types of cases, from medical malpractice to legal disputes. Last June, I got to appear at the Bronx Civil Supreme Court and present a case in Judge Guzman’s courtroom. It was one of the best moments of my entire life being able to do that in front of my mentor.
During my internship with New York City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal, I worked on niche issues, such as transportation, specifically with the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). I also had the chance to witness a bill getting turned into law. The law established tenant advocacy programs that gave tenants a right to counsel. It was so cool to be in the legislative chamber when the bill got passed.
One of my first internships was with Congressman Thomas Suozzi. I was knocking on doors in different neighborhoods, and stopping people at grocery stores, to petition to get Suozzi on the Working Families Party ballot. What was really great about the experience was that it forced me out of my comfort zone. It helped me develop a thick skin and made me unafraid to speak to others, no matter how intimidating the situation may be.
How did John Jay prepare you for law school?
The Pre-Law Institute (PLI) was key to my getting into Villanova, earning a full scholarship, and succeeding in law school. It provided me with the materials and resources that would prepare me for what was to come while in law school. One of the books Dr. Charles Davidson, who at the time was Director of PLI, assigned PLI students was One L by Scott Turow. It helped put us in the mindset of what to expect in law school. Dr. Davidson wanted to provide us with an honest perspective of how rigorous law school would be. During PLI’s Pre-Law Bootcamp, Dr. Victoria Bond helped us craft our personal statements, which was so incredible. PLI also provided us with free LSAT prep. And, finally, if it wasn’t for PLI, I would have never had the judicial internship with Judge Guzman.
As an Associate at Mauro Lilling Naparty (MLN), what does your work involve?
We’re a national appellate practice, helping with litigation, strategy, and appeals in states across the U.S. I’ve had cases in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and most recently Nebraska. A lot of my day-to-day is deep in the weeds, learning the law, going through thousands of pages of records, and drafting motions. I work on the defense side for personal injury cases. We’re all about getting a fair result and getting to a number that is comfortable for all parties involved.
What advice do you have for John Jay students hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Take care of yourself, first and foremost, and do not lose your sense of self. Keep your hobbies, do your activities, nurture yourself, and do the things that make you happy. Because those things are going to keep you balanced and healthy, and in turn will help you be successful anywhere you go.
Where do you hope to be in ten years?
I hope to settle down, get married, grow my family, and hopefully adopt children. There are so many kids who need a loving home, and I’d love to provide that for a kid one day.
