Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations
Nadège Boisson Pardo
Associate Director of Stewardship and Annual Giving
Adam J. Cohen
Law.hofstra.edu/Giving
Associate Dean for Communications and Marketing
Danielle Collins Groner
Senior Creative Director
Tobie-Lynn Accardi
Contributors
Brooke Walker
Allison Johs
Mary Ruggilo
The Hofstra Law Impact Report is published annually by the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Opinions expressed are those of the authors and editors and do not reflect official positions of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Generative AI was utilized to revise content for space allocation.
Address changes can be submitted on the Hofstra Law website. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this report; we apologize in advance for any errors. Please send comments or corrections to Nadège Boisson Pardo at lawdevelopment@hofstra.edu.
Editorial Office
Maurice A. Deane School of Law 121 Hofstra University, Suite 029J Hempstead, New York 11549
Join the Hofstra Law Alumni Association and Dean Jenny Roberts to network with fellow alumni while enjoying delicious appetizers and cocktails. You do not need to be registered for the NYSBA Annual Meeting to attend the Alumni Networking Reception.
2025-2026
Howard and Iris Kaplan Memorial Lecture
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Noon | Hofstra Law | Room 308
Featuring Judge Raymond J. Lohier, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
For more upcoming events, visit: lawnews.hofstra.edu/events
Powering Our Progress
Check in with Dean Roberts to learn what’s new at Hofstra Law in 2025 in our first “Discussions with the Dean” video.
Dean Roberts joined the Public Defenseless podcast to discuss her article, “Defense Lawyering in the Progressive Prosecution Era.”
Dear Alumni and Friends,
As I look back on my first year as Dean, I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary energy and sense of purpose that define the Hofstra Law community. Together, we are building tremendous momentum, advancing our mission and preparing the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
Thanks to your generosity, we raised more than $2.4 million in gifts and grants and secured $2.2 million in new pledges this year – a significant increase from last year. These resources are transforming lives and elevating our reputation by supporting student scholarships, clinic and community-focused programs, faculty research, and interdisciplinary innovation across the Law School.
In the pages ahead, you will read about some of the exciting initiatives your contributions have made possible – from the launch of the Office of Public Justice Programs, established through the visionary gift of Emily ’77 and Stephen Mendel ‘77, to collaborative programs linking law with business, health, and technology. You will also find success stories that show how donor support empowers our students and strengthens the pursuit of justice.
This year marked the creation of my Dean’s Board of Advisors, a dynamic group of alumni leaders who will help guide our efforts to strengthen engagement and further raise Hofstra Law’s profile. Their enthusiasm embodies the loyalty and passion that I have witnessed among our 14,000+ alumni worldwide. I am deeply appreciative of their support and insights.
Every achievement highlighted in this report is a testament to what we can accomplish together. Your investments continue to power our progress, and I could not be more grateful.
Best regards,
Jenny Roberts | Dean and Professor of Law
For more on Dean Jenny Roberts’ impact at the Law School and in the field, visit: law.hofstra.edu/meet-the-dean
Innovation and Impact
Our New Brand Promise: “Prepare Here, Practice Anywhere”
Hofstra Law’s new brand promise – Prepare Here, Practice Anywhere – captures the essence of the Law School’s mission: to provide an exceptional legal education that equips graduates to thrive wherever their careers take them. It reflects both Hofstra Law’s commitment to rigorous preparation and its longstanding emphasis on experiential learning.
In alignment with the broader Hofstra 100 strategic plan, the Law School identified its core values: student success, practical training, community engagement, and interdisciplinary innovation – as the guiding principles for its next chapter.
More than a tagline, this new brand promise is a declaration of purpose reflecting Hofstra Law’s enduring mission to prepare students so they can practice, lead, and serve anywhere.
For more on the University’s Strategic Plan, visit: hofstra.edu/strategic-plan
Students Collaborate on Bioscience Innovation Program
Students from Hofstra Law recently participated in Hofstra University’s School of Business Bioscience Business Innovation Program (BBIP) – an interdisciplinary initiative in partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) that turns groundbreaking bioscience ideas into viable business ventures.
The first program of its kind in the region, BBIP brought together PhD scientists and postdoctoral scholars from CSHL with Hofstra business, law, and medical students for an intensive learning experience. The curriculum explored financial planning, intellectual property, leadership, and project management – key areas for advancing innovation from lab to market.
Hofstra Law’s interdisciplinary programs including BBIP helped the school earn the “MOST INNOVATIVE LAW SCHOOL” designation from preLaw magazine in 2025.
During Spring Break, student teams presented their final pitches to a panel of venture capitalists and industry leaders, showcasing ideas ranging from organoid-based cancer therapies to biotech platforms addressing neurological diseases.
Law students Alexa Molloy, Alex Harris, Nicholas Haselton, Mikayla Kolahifar, Andrew Digiorgio, and Donald Kim represented Hofstra Law in the program, applying their legal expertise to real-world challenges in the bioscience sector while gaining valuable experience in entrepreneurship, collaboration, and technology commercialization.
Medical-Legal Partnership Earns Mother Cabrini Foundation Grant
Hofstra Law received a $116,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to support its Hofstra MedicalLegal Partnership (MLP). The organization supports programs that advance equitable health outcomes across New York State.
“Hofstra Law is excited to continue the growth of the Medical-Legal Partnership through the support of this Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant award,” said Dean Jenny Roberts.
The Hofstra Medical-Legal Partnership operates at four local Northwell Health clinics. In 2025, the students in the MLP PROGRAM ASSISTED 147 CLIENTS WITH HEALTH OR HEALTH-HARMING LEGAL NEEDS
“The funds will directly impact the mission of the partnership to identify and address healthharming legal needs that disproportionately affect underserved patients in our communities.”
The MLP provides legal services to patients, cross-trains medical and law students, and partners with community organizations to expand its impact. Through its academic and pro bono components, students gain experience in immigration, education, disability discrimination, and housing law while improving access to justice and care.
Veterans Clinic Awarded ‘Justice for Heroes’ Grant
Hofstra Law was selected as a recipient of a New York State Justice for Heroes grant, which supports the expansion of free civil legal services for veterans. The Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic received $150,000 over three years to assist veterans with discharge upgrades, service determinations, and benefit appeals.
“Our Clinic’s focus on survivors of sexual assault allows us to fill a gap in the veterans legal services community,” said Samantha Greer, clinic director. “This grant allows us to reach more veterans with legal needs that too often fall through the cracks.”
As of 2025, the VETERANS LAW CLINIC SECURED MORE THAN $750,000 IN LUMP SUM, RETROACTIVE PAYMENTS for its veteran clients.
Setting an event record, more than 300 guests attended the 2025 Home to Hofstra Law & Reunion in June.
For more information and photos, visit Hofstra Law News
MEDIAN LSAT SCORE +2 POINTS FROM PRIOR YEAR
3.65
MEDIAN GPA +.02 POINTS FROM PRIOR YEAR
Hofstra Law Welcomes Strong Incoming Class
The Maurice A. Deane School of Law welcomed its newest class of students during Orientation, representing one of the strongest and most diverse cohorts in Hofstra Law’s history. The Orientation program included sessions introducing students to Hofstra Law’s academic experience, featuring a dynamic faculty panel that offered insights into classroom expectations and the skills essential for success. Beyond academics, Orientation featured a variety of social events that encouraged students to explore campus, meet new peers, and begin building relationships with faculty and administrators.
FIRST-YEAR JD STUDENTS
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES REPRESENTED
The program opened with a conversation between Dean Jenny Roberts and the Honorable Gail A. Weilheimer ’95 of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Judge Weilheimer reflected on her career and urged students to embrace both the challenges and opportunities of legal education.
This year’s entering class includes more than 260 students from 99 different colleges across the country and representing 16 states.
FINDING HIS PATH:
Sean Niven 2L Receives the Raymond J. McKee Endowed Scholarship
For Sean Niven, the COVID-19 pandemic put his law school dreams on hold. A 2021 SUNY Oneonta graduate with a degree in political science, Niven decided he wasn’t ready to continue his education online. Instead, he joined the Theatrical Teamsters, driving trucks and vans for film and television productions across the tri-state area.
“I thought this would be my career,” he recalled. “But with the writer’s strike, I went from working 65 hours per week to having no work at all.”
That abrupt pause prompted Niven to revisit his original goal of becoming a lawyer. He took a job as a private investigator while studying for the LSAT and applying to law school.
One of the key factors in his decision to attend Hofstra Law was financial support. “I had horrible undergraduate loans, and worked hard to reduce those,” he said. “I didn’t want to have to take more loans.”
Niven was awarded the Raymond J. McKee Endowed Scholarship, which recognizes academic achievement and provides vital financial assistance.
“Getting a scholarship, including the Raymond J. McKee Endowed Scholarship, has made a massive impact on my life,” Niven said. “It took the pressure off and allowed me to commit myself to my schooling. I don’t know what my path would be if I had to worry about law school loans.”
Established in 2007 by Hofstra Law alumna and Trustee Janis Meyer ’81 in honor of her father, the scholarship continues to support students like Niven in achieving their professional goals.
Now a 2L, Niven says the delay in attending law school turned out to be a strength. “Going into law school a little older and with some life experience
made it easier for me to fully immerse myself in school and treat it like a full-time job,” he said.
This past summer, Niven interned in Philadelphia with Judge Gail Weilheimer ’95 of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he wrote a published opinion on a sovereign immunity issue. “It was 10 weeks of hands-on experience,” he said. “I saw a full criminal trial from voir dire to verdict. It was an invaluable and illuminating experience.”
Looking ahead, Niven joined the Journal of International Business and Law and the Moot Court Board and has secured a 2026 summer associate position with Fried Frank. “I look forward to more direct client interaction in a transactional practice,” he said. “I like research and writing, but I’m also a people person—and I’m excited to keep learning.”
Weilheimer ’95 Inspires New Students
During Orientation, Judge Weilheimer ’95 encouraged Hofstra Law’s Class of 2028 to embrace opportunity and community. Reflecting on her career, she said, “I like being a judge because you can make a difference.” She urged students to engage deeply with professors, explore opportunities broadly, and rely on one another. “You will all do remarkable things—but do them together.” Her message, Dean Jenny Roberts noted, captured Hofstra Law’s mission: preparing graduates to make meaningful impact through the law.
FROM FASHION TO THE COURTROOM:
Christina Portuallo ’25 Honored for Outstanding Appellate Advocacy
When Christina Portuallo graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, she envisioned a career in the fashion industry. After joining Macy’s in merchandise planning, she began to feel stagnant. “I wanted to do something that would have an impact on businesses and supply chain issues,” she said. “I knew law was the path to get me where I wanted to go.”
At Hofstra Law, Portuallo found that vehicle in the courtroom. During her 1L year, she joined the Moot Court Intramural Competition to strengthen her advocacy skills. “Coming from the fashion world, I didn’t know anything about moot court or trial advocacy,” she remembered. “I froze the first time, but I wanted to improve and be able to field questions and grow as a public speaker.”
Her determination paid off. Portuallo advanced to the quarterfinals of the intramural competition and later competed in two national tournaments: the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition and the National Moot Court Competition. Each required her team to write a detailed brief and argue before judges in courtrooms.
By her 3L year, Portuallo was elected President of the Moot Court Board, leading a program that draws more than 100 student competitors annually. “Moot court became more to me than just a way to improve my advocacy skills,” she said. “I wanted to pay it forward and help other advocates grow.”
Her leadership coincided with Hofstra Law’s strong national reputation in advocacy, which this year ranked 8th nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. Portuallo oversaw competitions judged
by Hofstra University President Susan Poser, Dean Jenny Roberts, and several distinguished judges, faculty and an assistant U.S. attorney. “The mentorship and community here are what make Hofstra special,” she said.
At graduation, Portuallo received the Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. Endowed Award for Outstanding Appellate Advocacy, a recognition selected by her coaches. “It was a true honor to be chosen,” she said. “The firm’s generosity shows how much they value developing strong advocates.”
“It was a true honor to be chosen. The firm’s generosity shows how much they value developing strong advocates.”
Portuallo also discovered a passion for bankruptcy law through two classes and an internship with Judge Louis A. Scarcella ’77. This September, she joined the Business Restructuring and Insolvency Group at Morrison Foerster. “Bankruptcy is such a dynamic and exciting field,” she said. “Hofstra gave me the foundation and the confidence to succeed.”
Portuallo pictured with the Student Bar Association for the 2024 Toys for Tots Drive.
Rachel Sakol 2L Discovers Passion for Litigation
When Rachel Sakol first stepped into the Moot Court Intramural Competition at Hofstra Law, public speaking was far from a strength. “I did not like public speaking at all, so I was extremely nervous going into the competition,” she recalled. “After the practice round, I became more excited about participating, feeling good about my arguments and the feedback I received.”
That experience became a turning point. Advancing to the quarterfinals gave Sakol both confidence and direction. “Before the competition, I had no interest in litigation and no clear direction for my legal career. Afterward, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in litigation.”
Receiving the Judith Fryer ’75 and Daniel Biggs Annual Scholarship allowed Sakol to dedicate herself fully to her studies and take advantage of hands-on opportunities. “The scholarship allowed me to focus on school without considering student loans in the decisions I make,” she said. “I was able to pursue an unpaid internship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, gaining invaluable experience in the federal courts.”
That internship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Civil Division helped shape her understanding of advocacy and public service. Looking ahead, Sakol has accepted a summer 2026 associate position with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
“The scholarship gave me the flexibility to explore every opportunity Hofstra Law offers,” she said. “It set me on the path toward my future goals.”
“The scholarship allowed me to focus on school without considering student loans in the decisions I make. I was able to pursue an unpaid internship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, gaining invaluable experience in the federal courts.”
POINTS
Trial Advocacy Highlights
Hofstra Law’s trial advocacy program was ranked 8th nationwide in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Among the program’s recent achievements:
Ryan Stoehrer 3L (second from the left) earned an “Outstanding Advocate” award at the Battle of the Experts National Mock Trial Competition. Alumnus Jared Rosenblatt ‘03 (right) directs the trial advocacy program.
The Moot Court Team of 3Ls Quintin Burian, Jacob Shaffer, and Marissa Tedeschi were regional finalists in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Tedeschi earned a “top 10 best advocate award.”
3Ls Ruben Cerri-Droz and Caitlin McDonough received Professionalism Awards, and Cerri-Droz earned “Most Outstanding Advocate” at the First Chair Trial Competition.
Dispute Resolution Society’s Joshua Joseph ‘25, David J. Moyett 3L, and Jessica Laguerre 3L advanced to the finals of the ABA Client Counseling Regional Competition.
Dispute Resolution Society students Eric Cooper 2L and Jenna Dimech 2L earned first place at the 2025 ABA Regional Negotiation Competition in October. Their win secures Hofstra Law’s spot at the National Competition in Chicago at the end of January 2026.
FACULTY NEWS
Insight and Influence
PROFESSOR
Prof. James Sample Shares Legal Expertise as ABC News Contributor
Professor James Sample recently added ABC News Contributor to his title of professional accomplishments.
In the past year, the media has consistently called upon Professor Sample for his engaging and in-depth analyses on various legal topics. In addition to ABC News, Prof. Sample appears regularly on MSNBC, CBS, NBC and Fox.
He made his debut as an ABC News Contributor by discussing several major Supreme Court rulings, including limiting judges’ power to block the Trump Administration’s policies on birthright citizenship procedures.
Prof. Colleen Campbell Receives Outstanding Publication Award
Professor Colleen Campbell was a recipient of the Hofstra University 2025 Lawrence A. Stessin Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Publication. She earned the award for “Intersectionality Matters in Food and Drug Law,” published in the University of Colorado Law Review.
Prof. Campbell’s article examines the case study of toxic skin lightening products. It centers on systemic colorism and gender bias in the beauty industry, which disproportionately affects darkskinned women of color, especially women of African descent.
The Lawrence A. Stessin Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Publication spotlights Hofstra’s support of faculty research that drives change.
IN MEMORIAM
On Earth Day, Hofstra Law honored the life of Professor Jay Hickey with a tree dedication outside the school.
BARBARA BARRON was a guest on a NITA podcast to discuss advocacy challenges in representing survivors of intimate partner violence. She directed a NITA program at Hofstra Law on the same topic.
PROFESSOR ALAFAIR
BURKE’S novel “The Better Sister” was adapted into an eightepisode series on Amazon Prime Video.
PROFESSORS SERGIO ALBERTO GRAMITTO RICCI AND DANIEL J.H. GREENWOOD co-authored the paper “Total Governance,” published in the Journal of Corporation Law.
PROFESSOR
ERIC FREEDMAN was the selected speaker for the 2025 Distinguished Faculty Lecture. He presented “No Need to Wait: Congress Has the Power Today to Abolish the Death Penalty in the States.”
PROFESSOR
ELLEN YAROSHEFSKY continues to research and discuss prosecutorial independence, having appeared on Bloomberg Radio, and the JustPod podcast. She was a panelist at a conference in Rio de Janeiro as part of her Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
For more faculty news and research impact, visit lawnews.hofstra.edu
Photo Highlights
1. The Monroe H. Freedman Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics hosted a World Day of Social Justice event with author Edwin Raymond and Julio Cuevas, Jr. of the Kings County DA’s office.
2. The Hofstra Center for Intellectual Property Law celebrated its 10th anniversary with a keynote from Professor Nicholson Price from Michigan Law School.
3. The Howard and Iris Kaplan Memorial Lecture featured the Honorable Eunice C. Lee, U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit, for “The Power of Voice in the Law: Reflections of a Public Defender Turned Federal Judge.”
4. Hofstra Law students spent a week at the U.S.-Mexico Border participating in the Immigration Law and Border Enforcement study abroad program.
5. Bronx County District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and a panel of ADAs visit Hofstra Law to discuss the Bronx Model, which focuses on a community-centered approach to justice grounded in accountability, restoration, and integrity.
6. Harvard Law Professor David Hoffman was the Sidney and Walter Siben Distinguished Lecturer in 2025, where he shared how he uses the Internal Family Systems model in his work as a mediator and collaborative law attorney.
7. Students April Cabral 2L, Miles Goldberg 2L, and Madelin Silva 2L received the 2025 Long Island Hispanic Bar Association (LIHBA) Scholarship, and connected with Hon. Sallie ManzanetDaniels ’88, who founded the Latino/a American Law Students Association (LALSA) at Hofstra Law.
8. Hofstra Law Dean Jenny Roberts and Senior Associate Dean Christopher Caruso ’00 joined alumnus and NCBA President James Joseph ’93, Hon. Andrea Phoenix ’89, and Hon. Denise Sher ’78 to network with the Long Island legal community at the annual Nassau County Bar Association’s BBQ.
1 5 2 6 3 4 8 7
Investing in the Next Generation: Emily S. ’77 and Stephen F. Mendel ’77
When Emily and Stephen Mendel talk about their Hofstra Law experience, it’s with gratitude and a sense of unfinished business. Both were “nontraditional” students, with Emily balancing her studies and raising two young children after a recent separation, and Stephen working his way through school. “Hofstra Law was a welcoming place,” Stephen said. “It developed our sense that lawyers have a calling. Lawyers should make the world a better place, particularly for those who are less advantaged.”
Yet, when they graduated in 1977, reality set in. “We left law school with a lot of debt,” Emily remembered. “It is a bit of a regret for me. We couldn’t consider the public sector as the pay scale was too low to cover our expenses and debt.”
Determined to help today’s students avoid that same dilemma, the Mendels began giving back to their alma mater. In 2012, they established the Mendel Family Endowed Scholarship, honoring their family’s connection to the school. In fact, their daughter Sarah C.A. Schulman ’94 is also a law school alum. In 2018, they created the Emily and Stephen Mendel Distinguished Professorship, awarded to a faculty member who is a leading voice on issues of access to justice, currently held by Professor Jennifer Gundlach, the new Faculty Director of Public Justice Programs at Hofstra Law.
2025 Inaugural Class of Mendel Scholars pictured with Gundlach and Franca Sachs ’06, Director of Public Justice Programs and Special Professor of Law
“Hofstra Law was a welcoming place. It developed our sense that lawyers have a calling. Lawyers should make the world a better place, particularly for those who are less advantaged.”
More recently, the couple decided to think even bigger. “We want to impact the law school, for the students, and for society at-large,” Stephen said. While those plans are still taking shape, the Mendels are already expanding their support by funding scholarships for incoming students committed to public justice, as well as summer stipends that make it possible for students to take unpaid or low-paid public interest internships.
The fall 2025 class are the first students to apply and receive Mendel Public Justice Scholarships.
“We know from our own experience how hard it is to take public interest opportunities if you have student loans, family responsibilities, or other financial pressures,” Emily
“We want to impact the law school, for the students, and for society at-large.”
The Mendels recently sponsored the Freedman Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics’ symposium on “Upholding the Rule of Law in a Backsliding Democracy – Taking Stands, Pushing Back, and the Role of the Public.” The program brought together brilliant minds from various disciplines to explore what it means to uphold the rule of law in the United States’ current environment.
From L to R: Rushab Sanghvi, General Counsel, American Federation of Government Employees; Amy Goodman, Executive Producer of Democracy Now!; Meena Bose, Executive Dean for Public Policy and Public Service Programs, Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs at Hofstra; and Dean Baquet, Local Investigative Times Fellowship Lead, The New York Times.
The New Office of Public Justice Programs
With the help of generous support from alumni including Emily ’77 and Stephen Mendel ’77, Hofstra Law has established the Office of Public Justice Programs. The new office is led by Emily and Stephen Mendel Distinguished Professor of Law and Clinical Professor of Law Jennifer A. Gundlach, together with Director Franca Sachs ’06. Its mission is to expand guidance and resources for students pursuing careers in public interest law, overseeing initiatives such as scholarships, fellowships, pro bono service, and other experiential opportunities.
The Office of Public Justice Programs will also collaborate with the Public Justice Foundation on events and initiatives throughout the year, including the annual PJF Kickball Tournament, the inaugural Fun Run/Walk, and the distribution of support to students completing unpaid summer internships in public-service roles.
“Through the support of the Public Justice Foundation and the Emily and Stephen Mendel Public Justice Scholarship, I was able to pursue my passion for criminal law at the Nassau County Legal Aid Society, where my commitment to public defense truly flourished. The experience was both deeply rewarding and instrumental in strengthening my legal skills. Without PJF’s funding, this invaluable opportunity would not have been possible.” — Jessica Sperling 3L (pictured on right with current PJF board)
HONORING
Catherine Samuels ’79
When Catherine Samuels arrived at Hofstra Law at age 30, she was a seasoned public interest advocate having worked on political campaigns and the women’s movement. She chose Hofstra Law because it was innovating in areas like trial training and clinical education. “I loved it from the moment I started,” she said. “It was a different academic atmosphere. There were lots of women, lots of people with prior careers.”
It was at Hofstra Law that she met Thomas Wales ’79, the 1978-1979 Editor-in-Chief of the Hofstra Law Review and her close friend. Together, they worked on volumes addressing criminal justice and the First Amendment. Tom went on to become an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington in Seattle, where he specialized in white collar prosecutions and remained deeply engaged in civic work.
In 2001, Tom was shot and killed in his home office. He is believed to be the only federal prosecutor in U.S. history to have been assassinated. Sadly, the case remains unsolved.
“Imagine one of your classmates, who was always meant to be in public service, being assassinated,” Catherine said. “It’s hard to resolve in your own mind.”
In his memory, she established the Tom Wales Endowed Public Justice Fellowship, supporting students pursuing unpaid summer internships in the public sector. “It was a way for me to contribute to Hofstra Law, and to support people getting early exposure to public justice work.”
Catherine eventually returned to public interest law full-time, working at the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund and later leading the Law and Society program at the Open Society Foundations. Her experience reinforced her belief that early exposure makes a lasting difference. “We found that 90% of people in fellowship programs like Equal Justice Works stay with public interest whether as a career, on boards, or as donors. If you get involved early, it stays with you.”
Keeping the Door Open for Students: Marc Latman ’97 and Mona Sterlacci ’97
For Marc Latman and Mona Sterlacci, Hofstra Law was the place where their personal and professional paths converged. Although they grew up in the same town, they didn’t meet until their first year of law school in 1994. Both had strong public service interests - Marc worked with students with disabilities, while Mona was drawn to housing and mental health advocacy.
Mona once applied for a summer position with a mental health clinic in Washington, D.C., but the stipend couldn’t cover the cost of living there. After graduation, she was offered a job with a special education lawyer that she loved, but it came with low pay and no benefits. “I had full loans from law school,” she said. “I couldn’t afford to take it.” Instead, she built a career as a special agent with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, investigating labor crimes.
Marc’s path also diverged from his original plan to work on healthcare or civil rights litigation when an opportunity in aircraft financing came along. “I get satisfaction out of my work,” he said, “but I also get even more satisfaction from giving back.”
“I get satisfaction out of my work, but I get even more satisfaction from giving back.”
The couple now supports Hofstra Law’s Public Justice Foundation fellowships, which help students pursuing public interest positions during the summer. They also mentor students, conduct mock interviews, bring Hofstra Law candidates into Marc’s firm, and advocate for public justice opportunities within the profession.
The Falk Family’s Enduring Gift to Future Labor and Employment Lawyers
For nearly half a century, the Jonathan Falk ’77 Memorial Endowed Scholarship at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University has done far more than provide financial assistance. The scholarship has preserved the memory of a promising young lawyer whose career was cut tragically short, while shaping the futures of generations of labor and employment law students.
Jonathan Falk graduated from Hofstra Law in 1977 and joined Jackson, Lewis, Schnitzler & Krupman, focusing on labor law. Just one year later, his life ended in a plane crash traveling to meet a client in California. Although his passing was a profound loss for his family, friends, and colleagues, they were determined to honor his life and potential. Jonathan’s brother, Douglas Falk, partnered with the law firm to establish the scholarship in his name.
“Doug loved his brother deeply,” said Peter Pront, Douglas’s best friend of 71 years. “Jon was smart, personable, and destined for success. Doug wanted to commemorate his life and encourage other law students pursuing the same type of career.”
From its inception, the scholarship became more than a financial award. Each year, Douglas and his extended family traveled to Hofstra Law to learn more about the scholarship recipients. Cousins Merryl Handel and Ellen Greenberg, their father Robert, their husbands Barry and Howard, and even Jonathan and Doug’s father Larry and his cousin Melvin Kitay joined in. The gathering became a cherished annual ritual.
“It was something we looked forward to because we all got together,” Merryl recalled. “We had dinner the night before, with a couple of generations of the family, to mark the beginning of the scholarship selection process.”
The process was deeply personal. The family would convene in the room named after Jonathan, his photo watching over them
as interviews were conducted and stories shared. “Sometimes more than one student earned the scholarship each year because the candidates were so good,” Merryl said.
Barry marveled at the scholarship’s endurance. “I’m not a Falk, but I’ve never seen anything like a scholarship that continued for 46 years that wasn’t through a large institution- it was just a family who wanted to ensure Jonathan would be remembered.”
Over the years, recipients wrote heartfelt thank-you notes, sharing how the scholarship had helped launch their careers. “They told us how touched they were,” Merryl said. “It was very heartwarming.”
“Doug loved his brother deeply. [He] wanted to commemorate his life and encourage other law students pursuing the same type of career.”
In later years, as Douglas’ health declined, the family was unable to travel to Hofstra Law. When Douglas passed away in December 2024, his commitment to honoring Jonathan’s legacy did not end. Through his will, he established the Douglas I. Falk Trust with a $50,000 gift to sustain the scholarship for future generations. To date, more than 90 students have been positively impacted by the Jonathan Falk Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
This enduring act ensures that students with a passion for labor and employment law will continue to receive both practical support, and opportunities to make an impact like Jonathan did. It is a testament to the fact that while careers may be cut short, the values and dreams that inspire them can live on - shaping the future, one lawyer at a time.
Jonathan with classmates in front of Hofstra Law in 1977.
Jonathan and Douglas Falk.
Donor Report
September 1, 2024-August 31, 2025
‘‘Your generosity is helping us transform lives and elevate our reputation by supporting student scholarships, clinic and communityfocused programs, faculty research, and interdisciplinary innovation across the Law School.”
— Jenny Roberts, Dean and Professor of Law
Impact of Your Gift
WHAT DOES THE FUND FOR HOFSTRA LAW SUPPORT?
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP
CLINICS AND CLINIC PRACTICUMS
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES 11
84% OF STUDENTS received Hofstra Law SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT in 2024-2025
100% OF STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THE FUND FOR HOFSTRA LAW
Every Gift Matters
GIVING ANY AMOUNT HELPS TO GROW THE FUND FOR HOFSTRA LAW 35% OF GIFTS came from alumni who gave $250 or less in 2024-2025
2024-2025 Financial Report
Support for the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University continues to grow. Gifts and grants received totaled $2,437,820.
Fiscal Year 2025 Gifts & Grants Received
Fund for Hofstra Law
$1,517,737
$794,736
$38,700 Unrestricted
$92,085
Other
$592,216
In addition, new pledges of $2,200,000 were raised.
Gifts $583,825 Events /Other $31,328
Endowment Investment Market Value
Hofstra Law’s endowment investments totaled $61.5 million at the close of fiscal year 2024 and have increased over 28 percent in the last 7 years.
2024-2025 Named Scholarships, Fellowships, & Graduation Awards
(Class year reflects the year the scholarship was awarded)
Endowed and Annual Scholarships & Recipients
100 Black Men Endowed Law Scholarship
Oneil Gibson 2L
Mitchell B. Adler Memorial Endowed Scholarship
James Wilson 1L
APALSA/SALSA
Endowed Scholarship
Naorin Akter 2L
Jesse R. Baker Annual Memorial Scholarship Elkana Alexandre 3L
Binder & Binder
Endowed Scholarship
Drew Mirro 1L
Hank Bjorklund Endowed Scholarship
Liam Fager 1L
Black Law Student
Alumni (BLSA) Endowed Scholarship
Alexis Gooding 3L
Isabella Schaetzle 2L
Bertram D. Brettschneider Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship
Alexandra McAvoy 1L
Andrea and Kenneth Brodlieb Endowed Scholarship
Max Richardson 1L
C.V. Starr Endowed Scholarship in the School of Law
Alexander Chestnut 1L
Anna Pinos 1L
Thomas Polochak 1L
Linda Carmody-Roberts Endowed Scholarship in Trusts & Estates/Elder Law
Sarah Bogen 3L
Cerchione Family Endowed Scholarship
Jakob Olsen 1L
Certilman Balin Annual Scholarship
Shaun Sklar 3L
Joni Cesta Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Lorrie Dellacroce 1L
Class of 1991 Leadership Scholarship
Nicholas Marrero 2L
Michael T. Colavecchio Endowed Scholarship
Robert Melcer 1L
Barbara and Maurice A. Deane Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship Austin David 2L
Eleanor and William Delman Memorial Annual Scholarship
Jackalyn Gonzalez 3L
Denis E. Dillon Memorial Endowed Scholarship Lauren Cash 1L
Boomer Esiason Endowed Scholarship in Sports Law
Sydney Farkash 1L
Jonathan Falk Memorial Endowed Scholarship Vasileios Karamanlis 2L
Justine McAuliffe 2L
Ricky Feldman Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Isaiah Harris 3L
Jeffrey D. Forchelli
Endowed Scholarship
Charlotte Geoghegan 1L
Drs. Arno and Mindy
Fried Family
Endowed Scholarship
Caleb Rockhill 1L
Sari M. Friedman ‘77, ‘80 Endowed Scholarship
Alexis Adrien 3L
Mariana Pontes 3L
Judith Fryer ‘75 and Daniel Biggs
Annual Scholarship
Rachel Sakol 1L
Milton M. Gardner
Endowed Scholarship
Leo Stanger 1L
Albert and Pearl Ginsberg Family
Endowed Scholarship
Madeline Ostrander 2L
Ginsberg Annual Honors Scholarship
Isabella Caradonna 1L
Kate Cimino 1L
Leivys Garcia 1L
Elizabeth Gilmartin 1L
Carly Herman 1L
Barbara Mattura 1L
Rebecca Yadgarov 1L
Shirley and Hyman
Goldstein Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Veronica Harris 3L
Commissioner Monica Gollub Memorial
Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship
Halle Jacobson 1L
Myrka Gonzalez and David Ochoa
Endowed Scholarship
Juliana Flores 1L
Dwight L. Greene
Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Kleopatra Amirah
Jones 1L
Abraham J. Gross ‘78
Endowed Scholarship
David Glanzman 1L
Wilbur H. Hecht
Memorial Scholarship in Maritime Law
Caitlin Masline 3L
Hofstra Endowed Scholarship in Law
Rory Masi 1L
Steven A. Horowitz
Endowed Scholarship
Zakir Siddiqui 1L
Joey Jackson ’95
Annual Scholarship
Marlon McLaurin 2L
Jaspan Schlesinger LLP
Endowed Scholarship
Jack Gutman 1L
Blanche E. Jeffery Endowed Scholarship
Laura Pendergast 1L
Peter S. Kalikow Endowed Scholarship
Andrew Mirovich 3L
Sidney Kalikow Endowed Scholarship
Lauren Smith 1L
Sidney and Pearl Kalikow Endowed Scholarship
Rebecca Sloan 2L
Erik Kapner ‘75 Memorial
Annual Scholarship
Ben Sionov 1L
LALSA Endowed Alumni Scholarship
Diego Saenz 2L
Lambrou Law Firm
Annual Scholarship
Thomas Lang 2L
Law School Conscience Endowed Scholarship
Philip Daleo 3L
Nicholas Fiorino 3L
Peter Galgano 3L
Kraig Puccia 3L
Giselle Rodas 3L
Neil D. Levin Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Ryan Sullivan 1L
Rosemary and Steven L. Levitt Endowed Scholarship
Hailey McGinley 1L
Adam Levy ’92 Endowed Scholarship
Cassandre Axis 1L
Joshua Lichtenstein ’92 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
James Emmert 1L
Lubov Family Endowed Scholarship
Jessica Kohn 3L
D. Carl Lustig III ‘78
Annual Scholarship
Michael Constable 1L
D. Carl Lustig III ‘78
Endowed Scholarship in Tort Law
Edwin Amar 1L
Founding Dean Malachy
Mahon Endowed Scholarship
Joshua McDonald 1L
Elkana Alexandre ’25: A Full-Circle Journey from Pro Bono Scholar to Legal Aid Attorney
Elkana Alexandre, a recipient of the Robert and Michelle Wallach Family Endowed Scholarship and the Stephanie E. Kupferman Juvenile Justice Endowed Scholarship, exemplifies Hofstra Law’s commitment to service.
A former social worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia, she came to Hofstra drawn by its clinical programs including the Youth Advocacy Clinic. As a Pro Bono Scholar, she trained at The Legal Aid Society, where she now works as an attorney.
“The Pro Bono Scholars Program has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my legal education,” she said. “It prepared me to step confidently into practice.”
Ella Mandelbaum Endowed Law School Scholarship
Nazli Tiyaloglu 1L
Joseph M. Margiotta Endowed Scholarship Andrew Reynolds 1L
Sylvia Martin Endowed Memorial Scholarship Gianna Denaro 1L
Raymond J. McKee Endowed Scholarship
Sean Niven 1L
Emily and Stephen Mendel Public Justice Scholars
Jillian Casaburi 2L
Valery Vasquez Diaz 2L
Mendel Family Endowed Scholarship
Rebecca Greenberg 1L
Marilyn Monter Endowed Scholarship Ellen Mierzejewski 1L
Joseph and Mary Ann Monticciolo Endowed Scholarship Ellen Mierzejewski 1L
Patricia F. Moore Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Justin Cheung 1L
Bonnie J. Oringer ‘84 Breast Cancer Awareness Annual Scholarship
Mia Schettini 2L
B.T. Paryani Endowed Scholarship Ryan Skoros 1L
Arthur Pergament Endowed Scholarship Eliyahu Uziel 1L
Bertram L. Podell Endowed Scholarship Cody Anderson 1L
John J. Regan Memorial Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship
Thomas Murphy 1L
Alan N. Resnick Endowed Scholarship
Nicole Ricottone 1L
Joseph M. Rizzo Memorial Endowed Scholarship Jacqueline Malfi 2L
Marc Rosen Memorial Annual Scholarship Baylie Greenberg 3L
Jodi and Robert Rosenthal Endowed Scholarship Jason Arenson 1L
Walter Sackur Annual Scholarship Alyza Anderson 2L
Arthur D. Sanders and Jerry Spiegel Endowed Scholarship Francis Marrone 1L
Eric J. Schmertz Memorial Endowed Scholarship Ruth Abraham 1L
Lawrence C. Schoen Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship in Memory of Howard H. Born Noah Henry 1L
Dari SchwartzBookamer ’84 Memorial Endowed Scholarship Julia Delisse 1L
Mark ‘89 and Valerie ‘90
Seelig Endowed Scholarship Brett Wallan 1L
Noah Sher Memorial Endowed Scholarship Mal Azar 1L
Harold and Eva Singer Endowed Scholarship
Mathieu Racine 1L
Edward J. Speno Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Meghan Fisk 1L
Sidney Storch Legal Research Award
Cynthia Madrid 3L
Talmud Family Endowed Scholarship
Michael Scialpi 1L
James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Scholarship Isaac Dweck 1L
Robert and Michelle Wallach Family Endowed Scholarship
Elkana Alexandre 3L
Glenn J. Winuk Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Jeremy Glassman 1L
E. David Woycik, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
Michaela Lang 1L
Eugene M. Wypyski
Memorial Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship
Robert Furman 1L
Fellowships and Recipients
Catalyst Public Interest Fellowship Program
James Emmert 1L
Juliana Flores 1L
Shavon Haughton 1L
Robert Melcer 1L
Child and Family Advocacy Fellowship Program
Ashley Etienne 1L
Kleopatra Amirah Jones 1L
Sydney Moss 1L
Umme Kulsum Rahman 2L
Nazli Tiyaloglu 1L
Deans’ Legal-Tech Fellowship Program
William Amaechi 2L
Katelyn McKevitt 1L
Gabrielle Paiusco 1L
Aisha Ahmad (engineering)
Kevin Barry (engineering)
Mani Tofigh (engineering)
William R. Ginsberg
Endowed Memorial Fellowship in Environmental Law
Erin Stavish 2L
Eliyahu Uziel 1L
David K. Kadane Endowed Fellowship in Public Interest Law
David Sizer 2L
Samuel M. Kaynard
Endowed Memorial Summer Fellowship in Labor and Employment Law
Madison Corso 2L
LGBTQIA+ Rights Fellowship
Crystal Anthony 1L
Kira Giordano 1L
Patti Linquist 2L
Michael Russo 2L
Long Island Immigration Advocacy Fellowship Program
Katherine Avendano 1L
Kathryn Churchill 2L
Camila Da Silva 1L
Valery Vasquez Diaz 2L
Niaz Najafi 2L
Madelin Silva 1L
Public Justice Foundation Fellowships
Herbert Kurzer ’77
Endowed Scholarship
Emma Richter 2L
Emily and Stephen Mendel
Public Justice Fellows
Ethan Schorr 2L
Ryan Skoros 1L
Jessica Sperling 2L
Morrison & Foerster Foundation Public Justice Foundation Fellowship
Megan Cutichio 1L
Lorrie Dellacroce 1L
Stephen Fanelli 1L
Benjamin Findling 1L
Halle Jacobson 1L
Amanda Szollosi 1L
Samuel Ramos ‘91 Endowed Public Justice Foundation Fellowship
Alexandria Drake 1L
Tom Wales ’79 Endowed Public Justice Fellowship
Marina Amicizia 2L
Graduation Awards and Recipients
Maurice A. Deane Award
Matthew Demestrio 3L
Gina Maria Escarce Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Christian Marciano 3L
Daniel Parmet 3L
Federal Bar Council
Cornelius W. Wickersham, Jr. Award in Constitutional Law
Daniel Parmet 3L
Christopher G. Gegwich ‘99 Endowed Memorial Award for Outstanding Law Student
Darielle Matthews 3L
William Eric Goldberg ’99 Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Philip Daleo 3L
Christina Portuallo 3L
Marvin Gutter ‘76 Endowed Graduate Award in Tax Law
Daniel Parmet 3L
Herman Hillman Endowed Real Estate Award
Nathan Matatov 3L
Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal Alumni Writing Award
Michael Zanni 3L
Hofstra Law Review Alumni Writing Award Mikayla Kolahifar 3L
Stephanie E. Kupferman ‘90 Juvenile Justice Endowed Scholarship
Elkana Alexandre 3L
New York City Trial Lawyers Alliance Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
Isaiah Harris 3L
Jonathan Roppolo Memorial Award
Sarabella Adler 3L
Ruskin, Moscou, Faltichek, P.C. Endowed Award for Outstanding Appellate Advocacy
Christina Portuallo 3L
Deborah Sloyer ‘79 Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Trial Advocacy & Appellate Advocacy
Collis Gittens 3L
Isaiah Harris 3L
Taylor Mavica 3L
Leon Stern Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County Endowed Award
Lauren Hajus 3L
Benjamin Weintraub and Alan N. Resnick Endowed Bankruptcy Law Award
Benjamin Katz 3L
Christina Portuallo 3L
Eli Uziel 2L Explores Environmental Law
When Eli Uziel began his career as a patient account analyst at Maimonides Medical Center, he never imagined it would spark an interest in law. Working closely with the legal department, he gained broad exposure to different areas of the law such as healthcare and insurance, labor and employment, and contractual law. “It showed me that as a lawyer, there would always be something new to learn,” he said.
At Hofstra Law, Uziel joined the Public Justice Foundation and the Energy and Environmental Law Society, experiences that helped him earn the William R. Ginsberg Memorial Fellowship in Environmental Law for his summer internship with the Hudson River Park Trust.
“At the Trust we deal with a range of legal issues that include environmental law,” he said. “It’s been interesting to see just how dynamic this internship has been with the unique projects I have worked on and the interconnected areas of law that apply to the Trust itself. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a Ginsberg Environmental Law Fellow.”
Established in 1998, the Hudson River Park Trust manages and protects several miles of Manhattan’s shoreline as both a public park and an estuarine sanctuary. Uziel values the challenges of applying classroom learning to complex, real-world issues. “It’s a constant learning experience,” he said. “Here, I work on more specialized matters. It is helping me further develop my skills for the future.”
Leadership Donors
Distinguished donors whose recent generosity is shaping the future of legal education at Hofstra Law.
Anonymous (2)
Abrams Fensterman, LLP*
Myrna Barzelatto
Andrew Boas ’80*
Dorothy and Wilbur F. Breslin*
Carl Marks Foundation, Inc*
Lisa and Gregory T. Cerchione ’84
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP*
Mark Claster ’77*
Mark Richard Colabella ’91
Maurice A. ’81^ and Barbara Deane*
Farrell Fritz, P.C.*
Howard Fensterman
Jeffrey D. Forchelli
Forchelli Deegan Terranna LLP
Mindy and Arno Fried*
Garfunkel Wild, P.C.
Laurence T. Ginsberg ’79*
Lorna ’75 and Edwin A. Goodman
Horace Hagedorn^
Joey Jackson ’95*
Michael D. Jaffe ’80
Jaspan Schlesinger LLP*
Edward M. Kalikow ’78
Kermit Gitenstein Foundation
Hon. Lenard Leeds^
Leeds Brown Law, P.C.
Rosemary A. ’82 and Steven L. Levitt ’81
Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP*
Judith Livingston ’79*
D. Carl Lustig, III ’78
David and Sondra Mack
Emily S. ’77 and Stephen F. Mendel ’77*
Janis McKee Meyer ’81*
Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP*
Morrison & Foerster Foundation*
Fusae Nara ’91*
Gary Podell ’91*
Proskauer Rose LLP
Nancy and Stuart Rabinowitz
Samuel Ramos ’91*
Rivkin Radler LLP
Robert D. ’74 and Jodi Rosenthal*
Steven Schlesinger ’76
Valerie ’90 and Mark Seelig ’89
Philip J. Shapiro ’78
Hon. Judith Susan Sheindlin
Andrew Siben ’85
Siben & Siben LLP
Mark Sillcox*
Starr Foundation
Howard J. Talmud ’91*
Tortora Sillcox Family Foundation*
Perry Weitz ’83
Judith Eisen Wild ’86 and Robert Wild
Robert C. Wong ’75
* Has been a donor for 5 consecutive years. ^ Deceased
Dean’s Circle
Donors who contributed $10,000 or more
Abrams Fensterman, LLP*
Andrew Boas ’80*
Dorothy and Wilbur F. Breslin*
Mark Claster ’77*
Douglas I. Falk Trust
Susan and Patrick Dunn ’76*
Laurence T. Ginsberg ’79*
Joey Jackson ’95*
Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP*
Richard T. Marooney ’94
Emily S. ’77 and Stephen F. Mendel ’77*
Morrison & Foerster Foundation*
Nassau County
AHRC Foundation, Inc.
New York Bar Foundation*
Patrick Dunn & Associates LTD
Gary Podell ’91*
Samuel Ramos ’91*
Tortora Sillcox Family Foundation*
Kleopatra Amirah Jones 2L: Advocating for Youth and Families
As a Child and Family Advocacy Fellow at the Robert and Priscilla Livingston Center for Children, Families and the Law, Kleopatra Amirah Jones is dedicated to uplifting underrepresented communities through advocacy and mentorship.
“Individuals who are at a disadvantage when it comes to advocating for themselves deserve a zealous representative,” she said.
A co-leader of Hofstra Law’s partnership with Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School, Jones mentors students while refining her own litigation skills. “I noticed the impact that mentorship had on students who received guidance,” she said. “It inspired me to continue promoting justice and opportunity for youth and families.”
In addition to supporting the middle school students with their trial skills, the Child and Family Advocacy Fellows helped them prepare for the intramural Mock Trial tournament at Hofstra in the spring. More than 15 students from ABGS argued their case in front of presiding judges from the local bench, and judges from the family law program at Hofstra, including Jones.
* Has been a donor for 5 consecutive years.
Partner
Donors who contributed
$5,000-9,999
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP*
Mary Ellen and Michael Cirrito
Mark R. Colabella ’91 and Martha White-Colabella
Cronin & Cronin Law Firm, PLLC
Jill D. Delman ’78
Judith Fryer ’75 and Daniel Biggs*
Lisa ’89 and David Heymann ’89*
Barbara Hecht Hirst and Arthur R. Hirst
Louise Kapner*
Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP*
Paul H. O’Neill ’90
Brad Eric Scheler ’77 and Amy Frolick
Ezra D. Singer ’78
Howard J. Talmud ’91*
Cristina R. Yannucci ’96
Advocate
Donors who contributed
$1,000-4,999
John H. Bae ’89*
Beverly A. Baker Jackson ’97*
Robert D. Bergida ’91
Joyce Brauer-Weston ’77*
William F. Carmody*
C. Payson Coleman, Jr. ’76
Hon. William J. Condon ’85
Charles B. Cummings ’73*
Hon. Abena Darkeh ’93
Brian C. Daughney ’86* Doar, Inc.*
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
Linda and Alan J. Engle
Hon. John J. Farley III ’73
John G. Ferreira ’83*
Rene Fiechter ’74 and Eileen Callahan-Fiechter
Dolores Fredrich ’80 and Jeffrey Keller ’80*
Nancy ’91 and Richard Freedman
Hon. Marguerite A. Grays ’82 and Hugh Campbell ’82*
Jennifer A. Gundlach*
Gutman, Mintz, Baker & Sonnenfeldt, LLP*
Maria E. Harris ’86*
Stephen B. Harris ’86*
Incorporated Village of Hempstead
Roberta S. Karp ’83*
David M. Kleinman ’06*
Joel M. Kotick ’83*
Stefan H. Krieger*
LaMonica Herbst & Maniscalco, LLP
Marc Latman ’97 and Mona Sterlacci ’97
William O. Low ’98
Mary Ann and Joseph D. Monticciolo Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Foundation
Suzanne Mikos ’99 and Kenneth R. David ’99
Christopher R. Nolan ’01*
Bonnie J. ’84 and Andrew L. Oringer ’84
David C. Pan
Jaclyn R. Pedra ’24
Hon. Andrea C. Phoenix ’89*
Henry Ramirez ’76
George H. Roberts*
Moss Roberts
Judith G. and Richard Rosenberg*
Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz
Coschignano PLLC
Catherine C. Samuels ’79*
Jessica Lyons ’06 and Sunny Singh ’06
Richard A. Small ’80*
Hon. Joyce P. Sparrow ’75
Panayiota ’00 and Michael Stefanakis ’99
Theodore Roosevelt
American Inn of Court
Vincent A. Verdi ’89*
Robert P. Weaver ’90
Joel Weintraub ’00
Joyce and William Weir ’85
E. David Woycik, Jr. ’80
Barbara Brizzi Wynne
W. Hassan Zahoor
Associate
Donors who contributed $500-999
Anonymous (1)
Ahmed Almudallal ’12
Sharon Kahn-Bernstein ’00 and Lawrence M. Bernstein
David Robert Bolnick ’80
Beatrice Cambridge Crowder ’83
Lorrie and Joe Cirami
Gregory B. Classon ’81*
Sarah K. Cohn ’87*
Anthony C. Coles ’89
Katherine R. Dieterich ’05*
Stephen G. Epstein ’75*
Veronica L. B. Genco ’74
Hon. Joel ’77 and Deborah Gerstenblatt
Joan M. Gilmore ’77
Calla Gutter
Robert M. Harper ’07
Elynda Hickson-Tinnie ’80
Incorporated Village of Manorhaven
Brittany L. Johnson ’14
Evelyn Kalenscher ’89*
Eric Lane*
Law Office of Carmine E. Esposito P.C.
Ivy ’88 and Alan B. Leibowitz
Donald Frank Leistman ’81
Karen ’79 and Wayne Lipton*
Lo Piccolo Law, P.C.
Miriam R. Lyman*
Barbara Brooke Manning ’79
Philip A. Margiotta
John L. Nickelsberg ’75*
Reginald D. Odom ’96
Robert W. Pearce ’80
Barry J. Peek ’77*
Audrey ’91 and Elliot Polinsky
Emma Richter
Joseph J. Richetti ’98
Dariely Rodriguez ’06
Roppolo Family*
Mary T. and Louis Ruggilo*
James J. Sample*
Wendy Schugar-Martin ’01
Joyce A. Smith
H. Brooks Smith ’80
Town of Hempstead Nassau County
Truist
Jason R. Veny ’03
Faculty, Administrators, and Staff
Faculty, Administrators, and Staff who have generously supported the Law School
Anonymous (1)
Tobie-Lynn Accardi
Amy B. Angrisani
Yvonne V. Atkinson*
Nadège Boisson Pardo
Amy Brown ’82*
Alafair S. Burke
Colleen Campbell
Christopher J. Caruso ’00*
Margaret A. Celano
J. Scott Colesanti
Danielle Collins Groner
Luciana M. DeCarlo ’88
Janet L. Dolgin
Sidney Eng
Karen P. Fernbach
Laura J. Fetter ’98*
Jawan Finley
Hon. Fern A. Fisher*
Kerlann L. Flowers ’07
Eric M. Freedman*
Linda Galler
Margaret M. Garte
Diane L. Gayer
Carin Grassini
Daniel J. Greenwood
Jennifer A. Gundlach*
Robert M. Harrison*
Adam D. Kahn ’13*
Fred B. Klein*
* Has been a donor for 5 consecutive years. ^ Deceased
Stefan H. Krieger*
Eric Lane*
Nicole R. Lefton*
Theodor S. Liebmann*
C. Benjie Louis
Miriam R. Lyman*
Kevin McElroy*
Frances S. Mingoia
Lisa M. Monticciolo ’89*
Andrew L. Oringer ’84
Ashira P. Ostrow
Jessika Pineda ’18
Kristin Radecker*
Jenny Roberts
Jared R. Rosenblatt ’03*
Lori Rowan
Mary T. Ruggilo*
Franca D. Sachs ’06
James J. Sample*
LaToya C. Sanderson
William E. Schroeder
Norman I. Silber*
Ashton A. Simmons ’12
Joyce A. Smith
Barbara J. Stark*
Daphne E. Telfeyan*
Doris Urbach
Vern R. Walker
Joel Weintraub ’00
Lisa M. White
Charmise P. Woodside-Desiré*
Current Students
A special thank you to the students who see the value in supporting the Maurice A. Deane School of Law while enrolled. ■
121 Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY 11549-1210
Home to Hofstra Law & Reunion
Celebrating All Alumni and Milestone Reunions for Class Years Ending in 1 and 6
Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 6-8 p.m.
Maurice A. Deane School of Law Roosevelt Hall Quad
Hofstra Law alumni across all years are invited to come home to their alma mater to reconnect, reminisce, and commemorate the anniversary of graduating classes ending in 1 and 6.
See old friends and make new ones; enjoy delicious food and drinks while catching up with classmates, fellow alumni, and the Hofstra Law community.
For more information and help with outreach to your reunion or graduating class, contact Charmise Woodside-Desiré, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, at charmise.p.woodsidedesire@hofstra.edu.
If you’d like information about creating a class gift to commemorate your reunion milestone, please contact Nadège Boisson Pardo, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, at nadege.boissonpardo@hofstra.edu.
Contact Us
Nadège Boisson Pardo
Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations
Nadege.BoissonPardo@hofstra.edu (516) 463-4757
Charmise P. Woodside-Desiré Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Charmise.P.WoodsideDesire@hofstra.edu (516) 463-4390
Adam J. Cohen
Associate Director of Stewardship and Annual Giving Adam.J.Cohen@hofstra.edu (516) 463-6568
Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University 121 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 11549 law.hofstra.edu
