Clinic, and I thought that was particularly helpful because it is actual real-life, hands-on legal experience. I think that both of these experiences really contributed to my ability to hit the ground running after graduating. For current students at Pace, I would say to be confident in yourself. Understand that everyone is not always 100% sure of what they are doing, of what they’re going to end up doing, or if they did well on that last exam. I know this is easier said than done! There are going to be many situations where you are going to feel like you’re thrown into the deep end, but that is your opportunity to rise to the occasion and do your best. Everyone has been there at one point or another and you’ll grow from the experience. CH: What are some of your legal or non-legal hobbies and interests? EB: I am on the New York City Bar Association Animal Law Committee, and I find my work with the Committee very fulfilling. It is great to be able to work on issues that impact animals and the environment, and it is surprising how many animal law issues come up in New York City. I am also involved with the Pace Environmental Law Alumni Association, and I am an active member of Fox Rothschild’s Women’s Initiative. I plan a monthly New York Women’s Initiative Power Lunch, together with other female attorneys here in our office. It’s a great group and I highly recommend that new attorneys get involved in firm groups and activities. I also enjoy running, and have recently run in a few half marathons. I love scuba diving and I recently went on a 3-day liveaboard scuba diving excursion in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef, which was amazing. Experiences like that make all of the hard work worth it! Connor Hilbie is a current student at Haub Law with an expected graduation date of May 2021. He is a junior associate on the Pace Environmental Law Review, and a member of the Federal Judicial Honors Program, through which he has the opportunity to intern at the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York. He has had the opportunity to work for NYSDEC in the Bureau of Energy and Climate Change, and recently accepted an offer to work as a summer associate at Yankwitt LLP, a trial and litigation firm located in White Plains, NY.
ALUMNI 1994 Barbara Gionta was named 1st District Attorney by Rockland DA Tom Walsh Mark Starkman was sworn in as the President of the Orange County (NY) Bar Association in May 2019. In addition, he was elected Vice President, 9th Judicial District of the New York State Bar Association and took office on June 1, 2019. R. Nadine Fontaine is First Assistant Counsel to the Governor at the Office of the Governor—State of New York.
1995
Lisa Jakob was promoted to Managing Counsel of the Trademarks & Copyright group at Merck & Co., Inc. She has been with Merck (and formerly Schering-Plough) for nearly 15 years since leaving private practice.
Additionally, she is the proud cofounder of the Women in IP Network (WIN), which is a network dedicated to the support and promotion of women in the IP field.
1998
Nancy Letendre w as appointed as Westerly town planner. Jonathan N. Provoost ’98 h as joined Tris Pharma, Inc. as General Counsel.
1999
Mary DiPalma has been named first vice president of human resources at Ulster Savings Bank She will oversee the bank’s human resources department with key responsibilities that include recruitment, career development, bank training, and chairing of the organization’s Community Service Program.
Keep In Touch! Have you recently changed firms, careers, or made partner? What is your practice area? Do you want to connect with other alumni colleagues within your practice area? Do you have personal information you want to share— a marriage or birth? Where are you living? We want to receive these updates and help connect with you and connect you with others. Submit your update to plsalumni@law.pace.edu. Please include your name, year of graduation, and any relevant information. High quality photos are welcome! You can also update your information online by visiting www.law.pace.edu/alumni-update-form.
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