Perspectives: Fall 2017

LAW WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

FALL 2017

Perspectives

Victor Quinn ’11 Engineering Director at Spring, Inc.

in this issue Commencement 2017 New Master’s Programs Homecoming Gatherings

Startup Space: The Next Frontier for Legal Minds?

Dear Alumni/ae and Friends, There are exciting changes taking place at the School of Law and within the Blake Law Center. These developments will help us to continue to solidify our JD and LLM programs, position us for growth in areas of need for legal education, and support the diversification of University graduate programming.

This fall we welcomed the first students to our new Master of Science in Law program designed for non-lawyers.

Such programs are now commonplace in 82 of the nation’s 204 ABA-approved law schools, and we are confident that our offering will fill an important niche in a region with a strong insurance and financial planning employment base.

In our article on the MS in Law program, you will learn how this and our new online MS in Elder Law and Estate Planning program will strengthen our position in a changing legal education landscape. I hope you will welcome and support these programs and share news about them with anyone whom you feel would benefit from them.

There is also news to share about the Blake Law Center. This fall we completed a beautiful new Clinical Office suite. Supporting our nine clinical programs, this facility features a client reception area, interview rooms equipped with audiovisual and recording technology, workshop space, offices, and a seminar room and will be showcased in our next issue. We have also opened our doors to support an important new initiative at the University, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). This program takes advantage of underutilized space made available through the Law Library’s evolution to digital holdings and consolidation of other facilities. The OTD program supports the University’s strategic initiatives to grow graduate and doctoral offerings from the School of Law to the newly renamed College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

As we close an important chapter in our history with the retirements of two pivotal faculty members Peter Adomeit and Sam Stonefield, we also look to the future in many other ways. Our feature article focuses on the exciting opportunities for our graduates to work in tech startup space in a variety of creative and legal capacities. It is a reflection of the changing opportunities in law that we must be ready to embrace.

I, too, am embracing change. In fall of 2018, after five years at the helm I will be stepping down as dean of the School of Law to rejoin the faculty. It has been an honor to serve you and I am confident that we can find a new administrator to successfully lead the School as it soon enters into its second century.

Since our beginnings in 1919, we have always been nimble, innovative, and eager to face the future. We believe that change is good; and evolution is even better.

Sincerely,

Eric Gouvin Dean and Professor of Law

Startup Space:

The Next Frontier for Creative Legal Minds?

Perspectives caught up with alumni who have made the leap to this new career frontier.

Could you be next?

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contents

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

Perspectives Perspectives is a publication of Western New England University School of Law

FALL 2017

ERIC GOUVIN Dean and Professor of Law

BARBARA MOFFAT Associate Vice President for Media and Community Relations

CHERYL BRODOWSKI Director of Donor Relations and Communications

MARY MCLEAN ORSZULAK G’10 Editor

JUDY CURRAN PAT GAGNON BRIAN FITZGERALD G’16 ALEXANDRA L. LYMAN BA’12/G’16 SPENCER NAAKE ’10 MARY MCLEAN ORSZULAK G’10 KIM ROEDER VARIOUS FACULTY/STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS Writers

6 DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Michael Verde ’92 Loyal Donor and Lifelong Learner

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CHERYL BRODOWSKI MEREDITH CERVASIO KATIE DeBEER BRIAN FITZGERALD G’16 BARBARA MOFFAT KIM ROEDER DEBORAH PORTER SAVOIE Proofreading

KIM ROEDER Faculty Notes Editor

DEBORAH CHAPPELL Creative Director

ALUMNI FOCUS

Karen Adamski ’14 Carries on a Family Legacy

LENARD DESIGN GROUP Design & Production

AM LITHO Printing

PAUL SCHNAITTACHER

also in this issue

Principal Photography

BRIAN ZELASKO Additional Photography

NEW MASTER’S COURSES LAUNCHED

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COMMENCEMENT 2017

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LEGISLATIVE INSTITUTE

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CELEBRATING RETIRING FACULTY

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Kathryn Malone 2L

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HOMECOMING GATHERINGS

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VOLUNTEER HONOR ROLL

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Lawyer and Sports Agent Chris Patrick ’13

ALUMNI NEWS

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(with Damyean Dotson of the Knicks)

BOARD REPORT

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ALUMNI NOTES

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CAMPUS UPDATE

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HOW TO CONTACT US Dean’s Office 413-782-1413 Eric Gouvin eric.gouvin@law.wne.edu

22 ALUMNI PROFILE

Admissions Anthony Orlando 413-782-1281 anthony.orlando@law.wne.edu Law Development 413-796-2316 Robert Ziomek robert.ziomek@wne.edu Law Alumni Relations 413-782-1311 Kim Roeder kim.roeder@wne.edu Career Services 413-782-1416 Sam Charron scharron@wne.edu Student Records 413-782-1402 Terese Chenier terese.chenier@law.wne.edu Law Library 413-782-1616 Pat Newcombe pnewcombe@law.wne.edu Faculty Members Call 413-782-3111 and ask for specific faculty member.

Visit Perspectives alumni magazine online at wne.edu/alumni/law

Main Fax Number 413-796-2067 Mailing Address 1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119-2684

Startup Space: The Next Frontier for Creative Legal Minds?

Is startup space the next frontier for legal minds? Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a creative, hip, entrepreneurial tech think group that could launch the next big idea? Fortunately for our graduates, today’s tech startups aren’t the exclusive domain of just creative and coder types—legal minds can also play a role in the success of such ventures. Zain Ali ’15, Victor Quinn ’11, and Brooke Ginty ’09 are three Western New England University alumni who have made the leap to this new career frontier. Could you be next?

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feature

FEATURE By Mary McLean Orszulak G’10

Zain Ali ’15 Turns From Online Fan to In-house Counsel at SongKick

has always been a large part of my life,” explains Zain Ali ’15, associate counsel at the startup “Music SongKick. “Ask anyone in the Class of 2015, and they’ll tell you I only took my headphones off for class.”

Named in February as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Music, SongKick is a leading concert database and direct-to-fan ticketing platform with an archive of more than 6 million shows. Its app notifies fans when the artists they listen to most are touring in their area, and its patented ticketing technology reduces the number of tickets sold to scalpers.

Because the site caters to fans first, Zain was drawn to Songkick’s direct connection from audience to artist.

“Many companies like Ticketmaster compete in the general sales, presales, and the secondary market [re-sale/ scalping business],” he says. “We believe tickets should be in the hands of an artist’s most ardent fans first, at an affordable price range, which also offers other benefits including one-off merchandise, VIP meet and greets, etc.

We also empower artists by making available all artist-related data so they can better provide for their fans.”

So what’s it really like to work at a startup? “No day is the same,” says Zain. “As associate counsel, I get to work with some truly talented individuals, and am lucky enough to call the shots on major deals that affect the artist touring markets globally. Most recently, I managed our outside counsel and spearheaded parts of our deal with Warner Music Group, who have since acquired Songkick.”

Each day Zain relies on various aspects of his legal education. “One day I could be helping Dreamtheater with its show in Taipei by drafting terms and conditions with the venue and promoter based on the disabilities laws of Taiwan, or fielding questions for Andrea Bocelli’s management team regarding his shows in Italy. I am truly lucky to be able to work for and with such talented people,” he says.

Zain’s international background is a plus for a company with such global reach. Born in Pakistan, he has lived in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Canada, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science at McMaster University. His expe-

rience ranges from of counsel at Yondster to training at London’s Norton Rose Fulbright, externing at the Federal Bankruptcy Court, and working for Lawyers for the Arts. He found a home and support for his international legal ambitions at Western New England University.

While he learned practical drafting techniques under the tutelage of Professor Fred Royal, Zain also spent long hours discussing future opportunities with professors Matt Charity and Réné Reich-Graefe, who supported his international aspirations. “I had many thoughtful discussions with professors who have worked in ‘biglaw’ and/or internationally,” he says. “I was also fortunate to work a full semester with Judge Henry Boroff on a wide range of bankruptcy litigation. Employers absolutely loved that I had this kind of experience. Professor Amy Cohen also bolstered my IP background through her great practical teaching style in copyright and trademark law.

“I truly believe this shaped the trajectory of my career and helped me make the ‘right choices’ on who to approach and what types of opportunities to go after,” he says. “New York is a very tough market to crack especially for someone from out of state, so proper planning and execution goes a long way.”

So what’s Zain’s advice for others who want to make the leap to startup space? “In Massachusetts in particular, there’s a ‘startup belt’ that stretches from right outside Boston all the way into New Hampshire,” he says. ”I would love to see alumni exploring these opportunities and truly being leaders at emerging companies. If the startup doesn’t currently have money to pay for in-house counsel–make it work somehow; volunteer, do whatever it takes to add value until such a time that they can afford you.”

“Working in a startup/entrepreneurial environment is the future.” — Zain Ali ’15

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feature “ There is an energy in the air of a startup that is difficult to quantify. There’s something about a group of people coming together to build something from nothing to change the world that is just electric.”

— Victor Quinn ’11

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Victor Quinn ’11 Forges Path From High Tech to High Fashion Leading his tech team in the chic NYC offices of Spring, Inc., where visits by Gizmo the corporate canine are part of the perks, Engineering Director Victor Quinn couldn’t be further from his start as a program developer in academia.

Four years ago, Spring, dubbed “The Department Store of the Future,” launched a swipe-to-buy app designed to connect customers to the more than 1,600+ fashion forward apparel and lifestyle brands they love. It’s not the usual place you would expect to find someone with a law degree, but Victor’s journey has taken him full circle—back to the tech world.

As a software developer at UMass-Amherst, Victor had hit a career plateau.

Longing to be a part of the startup world without being a developer, he began exploring new avenues to apply his expertise. He landed on law.

Rather than taking and passing the Patent Bar and becoming a patent agent, he decided to go all the way—get a law degree and become a patent attorney.

“But a funny thing happened as I worked full-time as a software engineer by day while attending the Western New England University School of Law by night— somewhere in that four years I grew to love doing software development again,” says Victor.

At the same time, sea changes in the industry blew the doors of opportunity wide open. “During my time attending the law school, the iPhone was released, changing the game for computing,” he says. “The rise of open source software fueled an explosion in innovation—enabling software developers to do more with less. The combination of these factors led to the world we’re in today where the top five highest valued companies all began as tech startups, and there is ready access to capital for those with a vision to take a risk and change the world.”

With new skills gained from studying law and promising tech opportunities on the horizon, Victor headed to Washington, DC. He joined NGP VAN, leading a team that wrote software to process political donations for Democratic Party candidates.

Next he signed on with SocialRadar, a location mapping startup founded by Blackboard cofounder Michael Chasen. As vice president, Victor led the engineering team to the venture’s successful acquisition by Verizon in 2016, where his legal background played a significant role in the due diligence process. His focus on patent law and experience passing the USPTO registration examination also came in handy. “We filed two patents based on the location technology we developed,” he says. “While I did not file those patents myself, an intimate knowledge of the patent process allowed me to drastically reduce our legal costs by drafting many of the claims before passing them off to our patent attorney who handled everything else.”

Now at Spring, Victor believes the intensity of legal studies gave him the edge he needs today to rapidly parse dense technical information. He says it made him a skilled negotiator when dealing with the many players in a startup. He also feels his study of law instilled a lifelong work ethic and gave him a new lens to see the opportunities right in front of him to do rewarding work.

“I think the most alluring part of working for a startup is the opportunity to do really high impact work,” concludes Victor. “Never before in the history of humanity has it been possible to create something, purely intellectually, and have it potentially impact a significant portion of all humans in existence. It is estimated that there are nearly 2 billion monthly Facebook users, so something that began as an idea just over a decade ago now reaches a significant portion of the human race.”

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FEATURE By Mary McLean Orszulak G’10

Brooke Ginty ’09 Gets Creative With Side Gigs “Apps are where I started jumping in to my creative side,” says Brook Ginty ’09, part-time attorney, all-the-time mom, and overtime entrepreneurial thinker. For Brooke, finding a passive revenue stream to help pay down her law school loans was the impetus to getting into the app game. With two small children under three, and working as an associate at the law firm of Baer Romain, LLP, in Valley Forge, PA, Brooke was looking for a side gig that fit her needs and fed her entrepreneurial instincts. “I wanted to have my hand in something that I could create and sculpt online.”

Brooke’s friend, Chad Mureta, not only wrote a book about app development: App Empire, he also created a program about it. “He has a brilliant entrepreneurial mind and got into app development much sooner than others,” she explains. “He figured out Apple®—how to market low pay apps to be successful. He said, ‘Brooke, you should be doing this.’”

She signed up for the program, which connected her to a worldwide community of likeminded female entrepreneurs, who teach and support one another.

“We call ourselves appreneurs,” says Brooke. “Since 2013, I’ve been involved with all different types of entrepreneurs; one of my closest friends who I met through the program was a professional like me, a doctor in the UK. Now she’s doing entrepreneurship full-time.”

After spending endless hours researching and networking on trending apps, Brooke launched her first entry: Sleep Smart, an alarm clock with a sleep cycle feature to recommend the ideal time to go to bed to get the most beneficial REM sleep.

While Brooke initially did some basic coding, her primary role is being the idea person, analyzing app trends and launching products quickly enough with a team of freelancers to get them to market while they are still hot.

After Sleep Smart, she moved on into simple game apps and has produced over 30 to date.

She relies on a virtual assistant who handles all of her metadata and keyword optimization. She works remotely with a designer and an app developer who create what she terms the “skin and the skeleton” of an app.

With the short shelf life of apps, she listens to what the market wants and typically “reskins”; buying the rights to a simple code and changing “the skin” using the same premise, such as taking a matching game that involves fruit and changing it to one using animals.

Her ‘appreneur’ network also alerted her to new opportunities on Amazon®. She spent the last year branding and preparing to market

online a leather care product called Lord Leather Care, invented by her husband’s grandfather. She is also selling novelty t-shirts on Amazon.

For Brooke, it’s not the product category that is important, it’s the entrepreneurial lens through which she views the world, something she says was cultivated at Western New England University School of Law. Brooke attended Western New England for two years. Her future husband lived in Pennsylvania, so during her second semester of her 2L year, she commuted the grueling six-and-a-half hour drive between Collegeville, PA, and Springfield so she could take classes at Western New England and work around an internship at the Chester County DA’s office, in West Chester, PA. In her final year, she completed courses at Villanova Law, but holds a degree from Western New England, and that is where her heart and affinity remains.

Having attended both programs she says, “I felt the professors at Western New England were really invested in me. They didn’t just give you answers.” She cites former Professors Art Leavens, Bill Childs, and Jennifer Martin as “challenging me in ways I had never been challenged before to get outside of that box of just learning information and spitting it out again, which all of my education had been before.”

In her multiple roles, Brooke feels grateful for their continuing inspiration. “I thank my stars every day that I got my legal education at Western New England,” she says. “I clearly wouldn’t be the attorney I am or the entrepreneur I am right now if I hadn’t been challenged by my professors and if I didn’t feel so connected and proud. It’s given me a lot of confidence moving to the Philly area where everyone is from Temple or UPenn. When they ask, ‘Western New England?’ My response is ‘Give me a chance; just give me a job.’ For each job, I’ve always been able to rise to the challenge because of my education at Western New England.” u

“ Keep it simple and do what we know how to do best as lawyers: learn and apply. The Internet is your best friend and with time, patience, and determination, you can teach yourself anything.”

— Brooke Ginty ’09

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alumni giving A Loyal Donor, a Lifelong Learner

Michael A. Verde ’92 is auditing courses at the School of Law in preparation for his second career as a solo practitioner. By Brian Fitzgerald G’16 Environmental and contract lawyer Michael A. Verde ’92 says his education at Western New England University School of Law made a difference in his life.

That’s why he has been a loyal donor to The Fund for Western New England University. He gives to this annual fund on a regular basis because for him it is a quid pro quo reciprocation for his fine education and successful career.

“I give within my means,” he says. “I give as much as I can when I can.”

Gifts to The Fund provide student aid, fund travel to moot court competitions, enhance curriculum, and strengthen bar passage programs. He points out that this kind of support helps not only students, but also alumni. “My feeling is that the better the Law School does—if its reputation rises—the more valuable your degree becomes,” he says. “If the school’s status grows over the years—and it has—your degree becomes a powerful asset.”

Michael earned his B.S. in Chemistry/Mathematics from the State University of New York College at Brockport. He has served in the hazardous and industrial waste management industry since 1978, and in 1979 he was chief chemist on the infamous Love Canal environmental disaster cleanup in Niagara Falls, NY. From 1987 to 1991 he worked full-time and attended evening classes at the Western New England University School of Law and sat for and passed the Connecticut Bar in 1992.

Michael lives with his family in Canton, CT, and since graduating from Western New England he has been director, pipeline & energy services/general counsel for Waste Technology Services headquartered in Lewiston, NY. In several years, when Michael is ready to retire, he plans on focusing on his solo law practice. In order to prepare for this second career, Michael is in the process of auditing various courses at the School of Law.

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He has found the courses taken to date quite beneficial —and a bargain, at only $25 per credit—as he gets ready to fly solo after working for private corporations for more than 40 years. While at Waste Technology Services, he has specialized in contract law, regulatory research, and regulatory interpretations for the environmental business, as well as significant duties in the areas of business development, marketing, and sales.

“I know about contracts, and I know about environmental law, but there is a whole world of law out there in which I’m not an expert,” he says. “When I do something, I want to be thoroughly professional—to be as well informed as possible.”

So, in the fall of 2016 he audited the Law Office Management course (LAW 632). Then, after taking a course in Drafting More Effective Contracts offered

by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education in January of 2017, he was back on our campus the following March, auditing Connecticut Practice and Procedure (LAW 798). Michael also plans to continue his “second education” at the School of Law, possibly auditing a course this fall.

“The classes have been very informative,” he says. “It had been a while since I have delved into Connecticut procedure, so that was especially helpful. It’s great that the School offers this kind of benefit. u

To learn more about alumni benefits such as course auditing and supporting The Fund for Western New England University, visit wne.edu/alumni/law.

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NEW DEGREES OFFERED By Mary McLean Orszulak G’10

New Master’s Degrees Tap Growing Interest in Law Programs for Non-Lawyers Master of Science in Law

Do you know someone interested in these programs?

You can learn more about these programs and upcoming open house or online information sessions at wne.edu/law.

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Our alumni interface with many professionals from financial planners, to HR executives, those who work in social services to the criminal justice system. Perhaps you have encountered someone who has expressed an interest in learning more about the legal system, but who does not want to become a practicing attorney. Such professionals represent a rising trend in the U.S., which has seen 82 of the nation’s 204 ABA-accredited law schools develop master’s level programs to serve this demographic.

This fall, Western New England University joins them with the introduction of our own Master of Science in Law program.

The program is specifically designed for non-lawyers who work with regulations, policies, contracts, finance, or populations interfacing with the legal system. With our region’s strong focus on the financial and insurance industries, it presents an excellent opportunity for such individuals to gain new expertise that will inform the way they interact with legal professionals.

Alumni may wonder how this program fits into the mission of the School of Law and its future. The answer is simple: the landscape of legal education has changed and Western New England University is focused on the future.

As Dean Eric Gouvin discussed in a previous cover story The Future of Law School (Perspectives, Fall 2016), “The market has dictated that we change the way things have always been done.

“Over the past 13 years, the national applicant pool for JD students has shrunk from 100,600 in 2004 to 56,000 in 2017,” he explains.

“Fewer people are choosing to earn a JD. All across the country, with

the exception of places like Harvard and Georgetown, law schools have been contracting in size by about 35-40%. Because, like most law schools, we depend on tuition revenue to support our operation, it makes sense to look for other places where the law faculty’s expertise could be useful. While we are buoyed by a rising interest in social justice, this new program presents such an opportunity to educate more people about the law.”

One of the strengths of the program is its broad appeal. From human resource professionals to journalists, school administrators to entrepreneurs, the program provides in-depth understanding of legal principles to help students become more informed and valued employees in many fields.

When speaking to alumni, Dean Gouvin emphasizes that the MS program is not intended to promote “the unauthorized practice of law, but rather to recognize that many people have jobs requiring them to know about the law in greater depth. We’re in the business of teaching law, not just lawyers, so our programs give them more knowledge so they can do their jobs better,” he says. “When I first started teaching, some of those folks came to law school for a JD with no intention of practicing—especially in our part-time program. Given the expense of a JD today, however, very few of our law students fall into that category anymore.”

The MS program requires 24 credits and doesn’t allow MS students to enroll in experiential learning courses such as clinics.

“They learn doctrinal knowledge tailored to their professional roles that will help them to become better HR directors or police officers or insurance professionals,” says Dean Gouvin.

He adds, “The School of Law was founded in 1919. In two short years, it will celebrate its centennial. I have been at the School since 1991.

I’ve been dean since 2013 and have taken my role as steward for the institution very seriously. The introduction of this program is among the many strategic and thoughtful changes the University, its board of trustees, and the School of Law Administration have made with an eye toward ensuring the School of Law is here for another 100 years.”

Master of Science in Elder Law and Estate Planning The Online MS in Elder Law and Estate Planning is another exciting opportunity for professionals working in the financial consulting field.

This program builds on the success and national reputation of our LLM in this discipline. Our master’s is the only program of its kind in the country to be offered completely online and taught live.

As an online program, it offers tremendous potential to reach students across the country— or around the globe—who want to acquire an in-depth understanding of elder law and estate planning to better serve their clients and speak the same language as the attorneys they work with.

Students are taught by our distinguished Elder Law and Estate Planning faculty, including Director Mark Worthington, who brings two decades of elder law and special needs practice to the classroom, as well as Hy Darling ’77, president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and past President of the National Elder Law Foundation, Stephen Spano. u

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2017

COMMENCEMENT

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COMMENCEMENT By Mary McLean Orszulak G’10 and Judith Curran

Commencement 2017 Challenges Students to “Be the People We Want to Be in Our Professions” On Commencement Weekend 2017, family, friends, alumni, administrators, and faculty mentors came together to celebrate the achievements of graduates of the University’s undergraduate, Doctoral and Master’s programs.

More than 600 students received degrees at the Undergraduate Ceremony held on Saturday, May 20, in the Alumni Healthful Living Center on the University campus. On Sunday, May 21, the University celebrated candidates earning law, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the School of Law and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Pharmacy.

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A Call to Find Deeper Meaning in Careers From the emotional rendition of the National Anthem sung by local performer Vanessa Ford to the moving example of professional activism set by keynote speaker Dr. James Withers, the Graduate Ceremony inspired the Class of 2017 to turn the day’s “Moment of Triumph” into a determination to change the world through their values and advanced education.

In all, 396 graduates of the University’s law, doctoral, pharmacy, and master’s programs in behavior analysis, business, communication, creative writing, education, engineering, English, and mathematics were conferred degrees.

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Graduate Students Reflect National and International Reach A total of 30 U.S. states and three countries (China, France, and Iceland) were represented by graduate students earning degrees.

President Anthony S. Caprio Keynote Speaker spoke to the graduates of the imporDr. James Withers tant role they have played in the history and mission of the University.

Founded in 1919, it initially served an adult population of students majoring in law, business, and accountancy. Law students received the Bachelor of Laws degree.

“Our mission has evolved and broadened significantly,” he said. ”But we have remained committed to our special calling for the education of adult students in the professions.”

As he congratulated the graduates in joining the more than 45,400 alumni of the University, he spoke of their enduring connection to the institution.

“You are an integral part of the Western New England University family,” he said. “So do not hesitate to ask us questions, talk to us, get involved, and engage with us.”

Much of the ceremony’s inspirational messaging came from Dr. Withers, a physician, educator, innovator, and 2015 Top 10 CNN Hero. In 1992, Dr. Withers took to the streets of Pittsburgh dressed as a homeless person to make nightly “house calls” to the street dwellers. A powerful video of his story screened during the Graduate Ceremony chronicled his journey from that day to the founding of Operation Safety Net, the first-full-time, comprehensive medical service of its kind to serve that population. Today, the service is replicated and studied by cities around the world through the Street Education Institute. Dr. Withers was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

Citing examples from his own professional experiences, Dr. Withers said he hoped the students would take the positivity gained from earning their degrees and apply it in their careers. He recognized that they might find that “the world doesn’t feel it needs to be changed,” but encouraged them not to become jaded or lose their humanity. He hoped they would take time to connect to “the reality of other people” and aspire to “be the people we want to be in our professions.”

Sharing a moment of introspection, he said he realized, “I didn’t go into the streets to save other people; I went on the streets to save myself and the profession that I loved.”

He concluded, “You’re really at a sacred moment. Go into the world in that spirit and find a deeper meaning in your career.”

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INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

By Professor Arthur D. Wolf, Director

During the spring semester, the Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs, together with the Springfield Public Forum, sponsored a series of public discussions titled “President Trump: The First 100 Days.” The Spring 2017 edition of Perspectives summarized the first part of this series.

Dean Gouvin opened the second half of the series with “Impact on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs.” The Trump administration enjoys a “probusiness” reputation and some early policy choices reflect preferences of certain industries. Dean Gouvin noted that policies that may benefit one type of business may not have the same effect on other businesses.

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The School of Law and the Institute were again cosponsors of the annual New England Civil Rights and Fair Housing Conference, which has grown to an annual gathering of over 500 attendees. This year was no exception, with varied workshops, plenary sessions, and other scheduled events. The entire program was devoted to current topics relating to civil rights and fair housing.

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Read more about the Institute at law.wne.edu/ilga.

The Legislative Institute also hosted the State Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.

Senator Jim Welch introduced Senator Marc Pacheco, the Committee chair, who stated that the Committee was holding hearings at nine locations around the state. “Our residents want a strong economy, clean air, clean water, and most of all, they want a future for their kids,” Senator Pacheco explained. “We need to craft legislation that reflects that future. This tour will give us a perfect opportunity to hear from our communities.”

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During the presidential campaign, Candidate Trump made statements signaling a pivot in relations with NATO, the United Nations, and other international organizations. Professor Matthew Charity explored the ramifications of a change in the United States dealings with international organizations.

Examining its approach to terrorism and national security, Professor Sudha Setty addressed a number of fronts on which the Trump Administration may shift U.S. law and policy. This included scrutinizing particular populations within the United States, tightening immigration and entry policies for people from certain countries, employing drones for targeted killing, and using the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. The election of President Trump heralds a new policy direction for civil rights in education. There has been a major reversal of Title IX’s protection of transgender students. Will sexual assault policies and other civil rights be next? Professor Erin Buzuvis explored the issues of how the new administration’s policies will impact Title IX protections.

Professor Jennifer Levi concluded the series by addressing “LGBTQ Concerns,” a timely issue within her expertise. She served as cocounsel in the appeal that led to the landmark Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision that ruled unconstitutional the Commonwealth’s denying gays and lesbians the right to marry.

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Professor Sudha Setty

The Institute also hosted the 17th annual Siena Summer Legal Fellows Program. Rising seniors Jessica Putney and Marlena Mareno spent eight weeks here researching two critical topics. Putney studied the water crisis in Flint, MI, and Mareno explored the sanctuary communities that the Federal Government seeks to suppress. u

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faculty

RETIRING FACULTY By Alex Lyman BA’12/G’16

Two School of Law Faculty Members Retire After Illustrious Careers

Retiring at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 academic year, Professors Peter Adomeit and Sam Stonefield have held lengthy tenures of nearly four decades each.

PROFESSOR PETER ADOMEIT Professor Adomeit received his B.A. from Carleton College and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota, and has been a faculty member for nearly 40 years, spending much of his time teaching in the evening program. Known on campus as the labor arbitration guru, his areas of interest also include Civil Procedure, Labor Law, and Public Sector Labor Law. Professor Adomeit is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a former law clerk to Judges James R. Browning and J. Warren Madden of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is also an avid baseball fan, and one of his most notable works includes an empirical study of fan brawls over ownership of home run balls hit in the stands and out of the park by famed baseball player Barry Bonds.

PROFESSOR SAM STONEFIELD Professor Stonefield received his A.B. from Dartmouth and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He was a Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination prior to joining the faculty in 1981. He spent much of his career advocating for anti-discrimination as well as funding for low income housing in various capacities. Professor Stonefield is well-known for keeping the atmosphere fresh in the classroom. His passion for folk music lead him to create parodies of some of his favorites to use as a teaching tool, and later formed a band known as the Ravages of Time with Professors Art Wolf and Bruce Miller, and former Professor John Egnal.

He also created the infamous Golden Bear Society for retiring and newly-tenured professors, which was something of an inside joke among the faculty.

He would preside over a yearly induction ceremony where he would deliver an over-the-top testimonial about each new inductee. However, he was not a member himself until his recent retirement, with Professor Beth Cohen doing the honors.

“Professor Adomeit and Professor Stonefield not only left their mark on this institution, but also on generations of lawyers,” said Dean Eric Gouvin. “We will miss their presence on campus, but we wish them well.”

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alumni focus 12 ◆

Carrying on a Family Legacy Karen Adamski ’14 brings a wealth of lessons learned from the School of Law—and from her father, Karl Adamski ’70—into her solo practice.

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ALUMNI FOCUS By Brian Fitzgerald G’16

Karen Adamski ’14 took a nontraditional route to law school. After graduating from Westfield State University in 1989, her career led her to Hasbro in East Longmeadow, MA, where after 10 years she was senior editorial manager/producer for the toy and game company. However, she had always been impressed by the way her father, Attorney Karl Adamski ’70, alleviated his clients’ anxieties through trying times. She decided that she wanted help people the way that he did, so in 2010 she enrolled at Western New England University School of Law. Karen grew up admiring her father’s skill and style of practice. Karl was successful because he put clients at ease, according to Karen. “He took a stressful situation—buying a first house, probating a parent’s estate—and made them feel like everything was going to be OK,” she says.

“He made the unknown less scary.”

At the School of Law, where Karen enrolled on a part-time basis, she participated in several externships, including one at the Northwest District Attorney’s Office (once in the Appeals Unit), as well as one at her father’s firm. She also took part in the School’s clinical programs. As a Legal Services Clinic student lawyer, she worked with the Community Legal Aid program in Springfield, representing residents with immigration issues.

Externing at the Housing Clinic under the supervision of attorneys at the Massachusetts Justice Project, Karen represented low income tenants facing eviction, appearing biweekly in Hampden County Housing Court.

These experiences were invaluable to her practice today. “The clinics and externships gave me experience I would have never gotten shadowing my dad,” she says. “He stopped litigating a long time ago and these stints gave me a look inside the courtroom that he couldn’t.”

Sage Advice Karen’s advice for students is to get as much onthe-job experience as they can—and that variety is important. “Try as much as you can fit in,” she says. “It’s the only way to learn and to decide on the areas you like and don’t like.”

She has stayed involved with the School of Law, giving back to the institution that has been so pivotal in her career change by volunteering as a mentor, as a panelist for the Career Center, and serving on the Alumni Board of Directors.

After graduating, Karen planned to join her father at his firm—O’Brien & Adamski Attorneys at Law—but Karl became ill a week after Karen had passed the bar and died two months later.

So Karen had another big decision to make:

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enter into a solo practice or go in a different direction. She chose to make her father’s firm her own, partly because there was a support system of area lawyers who offered to help her because they had known and worked with Karl and respected him.

“His motto was much the same as the speakers at my swearing-in: ‘Don’t be a jerk.’

He treated clients, opposing counsel, and colleagues with courtesy, respect, and dignity,” says Karen. “I cannot tell you how many people have described him to me as a ‘true gentleman.’ My father got it. You can be opposed to someone and not be unprofessional and not be disrespectful. My father never swore or raised his voice or demeaned people. I decided then that I wanted to carry on that legacy.”

Running a Solo Practice Karen says the challenges of running a solo practice are myriad and sometimes overwhelming. “You are learning to practice law and you are doing it on your own,” she says. “I have great mentors and without them I would not have been able to have done this.”

Upon taking over O’Brien & Adamski, she immediately made it her goal to bring her father’s knack for reassuring clients into her own practice. “I wanted to do the same thing,” she says.

“I wanted to practice in a way that took away some of the stress my clients felt.”

But Karen is a bit more high-strung than her dad. His repeated words of wisdom to her were “Don’t get so worked up.” She still hasn’t mastered this—she often worries about her clients, her practice, and the job she is doing. She is also working on the proper work/home balance. “My practice is like a kid to me and I give it a lot of attention—maybe too much at times,” she says.

“But I have a wonderful support system at home that has backed me every step of the way on this journey and continues to do so. I would like to figure in some vacation time though—without emails,” she says with a smile.” u

Karl Adamski ’70 Karl entered the Evening program at Western New England College School of Law in 1965, when he was working full-time as a claims adjuster for General Accident Insurance. After graduating cum laude, he passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam and in 1972 he joined prominent Easthampton, MA Attorney Edward M. O’Brien, forming the partnership of O’Brien & Adamski Attorneys at Law. Karl was a general practice attorney providing legal services in everything from litigation to divorce, to estate planning and real estate.

He remained a partner in the firm until O’Brien retired in 2004. Karl continued as a sole practitioner (still under the name O’Brien & Adamski) until he passed away in January of 2015.

“My father was the master of the understatement,” says Karen. “Everything was no big deal. I never once saw him upset, lose his patience, or get riled.” She says she is working on emulating this style. It isn’t easy, but she says she is getting better. “This remains my lifelong goal,” she says.

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students

Community Engagement: Kathryn Malone 2L Explores the Human Experience to Identify with Future Clients

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT By Alex Lyman BA’12/G’16

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Throughout her legal education, Kathryn Malone 2L has observed that lawyers who do their best work and cope with the pressures of their profession are those who are passionate to the core and deeply care about the people they work for. She has pursued her studies and future career in the same vein in order to develop her sense of self as a lawyer and satisfaction in her work. Kathryn was interested in public service and social justice from a young age, and finds she engages best with work when its outcome has implications for people who don’t hold power in traditional ways. She says that the need for public interest lawyers in a variety of practice areas offers the potential for a personally and professionally rewarding career.

Kathryn interned with the Victim Witness Unit at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office as an undergraduate student and worked in substance abuse treatment, which gave her relevant experience in the public interest field long before she entered law school.

Western New England University School of Law was Kathryn’s top choice for a variety of reasons, including the fact that she was awarded a Public Interest Scholarship. She also felt that as a western Massachusetts native, the School of Law’s commitment to serving the region aligned with her goals and would allow her to leverage her local ties and knowledge of the area to help vulnerable communities.

However, what really sealed the deal for Kathryn was the community spirit she experienced. It was clear to her that the small community, accessibility to faculty, and University’s status as the only law school in western Massachusetts would provide her with a wide range of opportunities she wouldn’t get anywhere else.

The “small town” feel of the School of Law proved to be exactly what Kathryn wanted. In particular, the guidance from faculty members was abundant and allowed her to explore various legal issues and career interests at length, and in a supportive and comfortable environment. She recalls specific incidents where professors went above and beyond their roles, and were always working to connect students with resources and industry contacts.

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One of those connections was the Committee for Public Counsel Services, where Kathryn landed an internship. Most of her time was spent in District Court, which, as one of the attorneys told her, is considered the “Emergency Room” of the legal profession. Kathryn was able to work one-on-one with clients, which gave her a lens with which to look into the lives of those she hopes to serve.

“Working with clients provides so much insight into larger social problems and the human condition,” she said. “The overwhelming majority of my clients suffered from substance abuse disorders and/or mental illness, lacked opportunities to pursue an education, or experienced significant economic hardship. My supervisor routinely pointed out that our clients are humans with flaws, and are always worthy of being treated with dignity and respect. I hope to carry that perspective with me throughout my career.”

Another eye-opening experience for Kathryn was traveling to Latin America this past summer to improve her Spanish in anticipation of working with the School of Law’s Immigration Clinic. She enrolled in a five-week Spanish immersion program in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, where she studied for five hours each day in a one-on-one setting and lived with a Guatemalan family in the city. Few of the local residents spoke English, which made it the ideal setting for immersion.

Not only did Kathryn learn the language, but she also heard the tragic stories of Guatemalans who have tried to migrate to the United States due to a lack of opportunities in the region.

Kathryn is now back in the United States and embarking on her 2L year. After her successful first year in law school, which included receiving an invitation to join Law Review and winning the 1L Oral Advocacy Competition, she is prepared to take on new challenges at the School of Law. Her advice to current and future law students includes the tools she utilized to thrive in her first year.

“Lean in to the aspects of legal training that terrify you,” she said. “For example, I tended to shy away from litigation. However, after participating in the 1L Oral Advocacy Competition, I discovered that I enjoyed the adrenaline and pressure that accompanied litigation. Also, don’t feel ashamed to practice self-care and find balance. I perform best when I’m balanced emotionally and physically, so I made time for yoga, running, meditation, and gatherings with my friends.” u

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alumni

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Alumni Recognition Reception Honors Graduates of Distinction

Now one of the highlights of the alumni calendar, the Alumni Recognition Reception celebrates some of the thousands of alumni who bring honor to the School of Law every day. Held at the Springfield Lyman and Merrie Wood History Museum during Homecoming Weekend, this year’s event featured special recognition for the reunion classes of ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’07, and ’12 and the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Dean’s Award, the Law Review Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Ascending Alumni Awards. The September 22 event was attended by alumni and guests, faculty, and members of the School of Law administration.

(Photos L to R) Russel Thompson ’90; Paige Vaillancourt, editor-in-chief of Law Review and Justin Dion ’90; Tahirah Amatul-Wadud ’05 and her daughter; Anthony Gulluni BA ’03/L’07 and the Hon. Mark Mastroianni ’89

Law Alumni Board President Stephen Button ’06 presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Russell Thompson ’90, chief compliance officer and deputy general counsel at Mariner Investment Group, LLC. Since joining Mariner in 2004, Russell has served as chief compliance officer and assistant general counsel. He began his career as an enforcement attorney at the SEC, worked in compliance at Prudential, and served as chief compliance officer of MacKay Shields. Russell also spent several working years in sports and entertainment law. His volunteer work includes the Western New England University

School of Law Invitational Basketball Tournament, coaching youth football and basketball, and public service and legal work for his religious organization.

The Distinguished Law Review Alumnus Award honored Justin Dion ’90, who was recently appointed professor of legal skills and director of bar admission programs at the School of Law, following nine years of serving as an adjunct faculty member. After working as a bankruptcy attorney for Bacon Wilson LLC, Justin began teaching, including several years at Bay Path University, he rose to serve as professor and chair of the Department of Legal Studies, Forensic Studies, and Criminal Justice.

This year’s Dean’s Award was presented to Tahirah Amatul-Wadud ’05, an attorney in solo practice in Springfield, specializing in civil rights

(At left) Kathryn Malone 2L and Laura Fisher ’15

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and domestic relations law. She is a commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and in that role advocates before the state legislature to enact laws responsive to the needs of women and girls. In 2015, Tahirah was invited to a program on Celebrating and Protecting America’s Tradition of Religious Pluralism at the White House. An active public speaker, she was an honoree of the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Top Women of Law Award.

The Ascending Alumni Award (for graduates of 10 years or less) honored Anthony Gulluni ’03/L’07 and Taylor Bouchard Wallin ’09, who was unable to attend.

Gullini, the Commonwealth’s youngest district attorney, took office in 2015 after previously serving as Hampden County assistant district attorney and working for the City

of Springfield Law Department and the Salvation Army. A hallmark of his innovative administration has been the creation of the Community Outreach and Prevention Unit. He also supports swift and aggressive prosecution of violent and repeat offenders, and partnerships with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Attorney Taylor Wallin is a certified family law specialist with Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein’s Family Law Department. Her practice encompasses a diverse range of complicated family law issues. She has extensive experience litigating high conflict child custody matters, and has prevailed for parents in interstate and international child custody relocation cases.

Visit wne.edu/alumni/law to keep informed of upcoming alumni events.

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SPECIAL ALUMNI EVENTS By Mary McLean Orszulak G’10

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18th Annual Alumni & Students of Color Dinner Unites Generations Past and Present This year’s Dinner for Alumni and Students of Color was was held at Springfield’s La Quinta Inn and Suites on September 23. The event attracts alumni back to the area to reconnect and reminisce with one another and faculty. For students in attendance, beyond networking with inspiring and accomplished alumni, it is affirmation that they are already a part of a larger community as members of the School of Law. Dr. Charles Rucks ’07 graciously stepped in for scheduled speaker Jodie Roure ’97, who was delayed in Puerto Rico due to the devastation from Hurricane Maria.

Student speaker Kerri Ann Manning 2L shared a personal cautionary tale about her rising career working for a multinational retailer and how she nearly lost sight of her ideals until she left it all behind to make a greater impact in the field of law.

Kerri told the group: “Western New England has afforded us, as students, a vast amount of opportunities to challenge existing attitudes and practices that negatively impact the minority population,” she said.

“The Law School stimulates and bolsters, in all of us, the fervent passion to make sure the ‘balance’ is tipped in everyone’s favor.”

Keynote Speaker Charles Rucks has dedicated his life to his country and community. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy and service in the Navy, he earned his MBA from Cornell University. In his fifties, he received his JD from the School of Law. He holds an honorary Doctor of Humanics degree from Springfield College. His career spans from Digital Equipment Corporation to senior vice president of the Springfield Urban League, to executive director at Springfield Neighborhood Partners. Currently he is the Neighborhood Watch Community Liaison with the Hampden Country Deputy Sheriffs Department. Charles spoke to the guests about being prepared to make the most of the unexpected challenges and opportunities in life.

“There is always something that crops up that you didn’t expect, and that’s the way life is sometimes. Be prepared for those moments that you don’t expect, that you hadn’t anticipated,” he said. “Do your assessment, do your due diligence, and then decide based on the information that you have.” u

(Photos top to bottom L-R) Kelvin Thomas ’14, Colleen Monroe ’14, and Trisana Spence ’20; Tasha Marshall ’16; Student speaker, Kerry Ann Manning ’18; Dean Eric Gouvin and Keynote speaker, Charles Rucks ’07; Kedar Ismail ’17 and Salomon Louis ’15; Justine Aljoe 1L and Chanel Smith ’17; and Danielle Williams ’02 with Shelly-Ann Sankar ’04.

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Western New England University School of Law

Volunteer Honor Roll

2016-2017

This Fourth Annual Volunteer Honor Roll once again recognizes literally hundreds of people who generously share their time and talent to add a professional dimension to the legal education we provide for our students. As dean, I continue to be awed by the support we receive from the legal profession and the community generally. I truly appreciate all of the people who donate their skills and expertise to make the School of Law the vibrant and exciting place that it is.

Western New England University School of Law is dedicated to the idea of studentcentered professional education. Without the volunteers listed on these pages, our program would be much less robust and relevant. The help we get from the bar and the community for a range of programmatic initiatives from first-year moot court to externships to panel discussions and speakers, to guest lecturers, makes a real difference in the classroom and in the School of Law. On my watch as dean, I have striven to find ways to integrate the profession into the program wherever possible. It is gratifying to have such willing collaborators in the bar and the larger community.

As this list shows, the interaction between the School of Law and the bar is significant and extensive. While the list is impressive, I know I am running the risk of leaving some volunteers off the list by accident. I apologize in advance for any omissions. If you know of a name that should be on the list, please let me know and I will publish an addendum in the next issue of Perspectives.

To all the people on this Volunteer Honor Roll: Thank you from the bottom of my heart— the School would not be the same without your contributions.

— Eric J. Gouvin, Dean

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Want to volunteer? Visit wne.edu/alumni/law to explore your options.

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VOLUNTEER HONOR ROLL by Eric J. Gouvin

HCBA Legal Help Hotline

ADMISSIONS

Class Agents

Michael A. Borg ’88 Evan Bjorklund ’13 Linda D. Fakhoury ’04 Edward M. Pikula ’83

John J. Bandeian ’09 Kendra L. Berardi ’08 Michael D. Blanchard ’97 Michael A. Borg ’88 Jeremy M. Colvin ’98 Jenny E. Desch ’01 Linda D. Fakhoury ’04 Ina A. Forman ’84 Marc S. Gaffrey ’87 Amber M. Gould ’13 Michelle L. Hummer ’08 Judith H. Jones ’86 Kelly A. Koch ’07 Maren L. Law ’11 Julia K. Lentini Marquis ’06 Marty Martin ’77 Kelley C. Miller ’05 Rebecca Lee Mitchell ’99 Lenore M. Montanaro ’15 William J. O’Grady ’80 Hon. Tina S. Page ’82 Kathleen M. Porter ’90 Karen Romano ’03 Rachel Rosenberg ’14 Stephanie H. Schlatter ’07 Erika L. Scibelli ’12 Hirak S. Shah ’10 Kathleen Ann Stone-Harrington ’93 Ellen S. Teller ’83 Gary F. Thomas ’76 James B. Winston ’00

ALUMNI Alumni Board and Committee Members Ellie S. Allen ’04 Evan C. Bjorklund ’13 Michael A. Borg ’88 Stephen D. Button ’06 David P. Cortese ’11 James B. Doyle ’06 Linda D. Fakhoury ’04 John M. Fitzgerald II ’99 Talia K. Gee ’10 Chad G. Greiner ’10 Cristina M. Ianello ’02 Kaley M. Lentini ’14 Jonathan R. Longobardi ’10 Nicole M. Murray ’05 Spencer Naake ’10 Krystal L. Orr ’06 Edward M. Pikula ’83 Hirak S. Shah ’10 Michael J. Smith ’04 Marcy E. Spratt Stevens ’09 Shaune E. Sousa ’16 Marc A. Strange ’04 Ijeoma A. Ugoezi ’06 Sarah K. Willey ’96 Event Hosts Stephen D. Button ’06 Laura A. Fisher ’15 Lisa S. Lippiello ’06 Jonathan R. Longobardi ’10 Kathleen M. Porter ’90 Debra Rudoltz ’93 Ijeoma A. Ugoezi ’06 Peter J. Walsh ’90

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Wm. Travaun Bailey ’01 Charles R. Casartello Jr. ’87 Robert E. Girvan, III David Hodge Cristina Ianello ’02 Lan T. Kantany ’13 Michael B. Katz Kevin V. Maltby Laura Mangini Katie Manzi McDonough Vanessa Martinez ’11 Dan McKellick ’14 Jeffrey S. Morneau ’98 Daniel P. Morrissey ’07 Cristina Poulter Carrier Dennis Powers ’82 Mary Powers ’84 Nancy Ramos ’03 Sanjiv N. Reejhsinghani ’11 Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross ’07 Barry M. Ryan Robert C. Sacco ’88 Gordon Shaw Jeffrey S. Weisser ’76 Thomas N. Wilson ’88 MBA Dial-A-Lawyer Michelle Bugbee ’00 Corey M. Carvalho ’09 Kevin Chrisanthopoulos ’96 Mark D. Cress Kelli R. DiLisio ’86 Michele J. Feinstein ’84 David M. Hirschhorn Lan T. Kantany ’13 Carol C. Klyman ’96 Susan A. McCoy Mielnikowski ’96

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Erin J. Meehan Amy J. Megliola ’02 Keith A. Minoff Jeffrey S. Morneau ’98 Timothy F. Murphy ’90 Richard T. O’Connor ’97 Thomas D. O’Connor Jr. ’95 David W. Ostrander ’89 Edward M. Pikula ’83 Christopher D. Reavey ’89 Sanjiv N. Reejhsinghani ’11 Daniel M. Rothschild Barry M. Ryan Michael R. Siddall ’90 Dorothy Varon ’95 Diana S. Velez ’02 Diana S. Velez Harris ’02 Students and Alumni of Color Dinner Speakers Alesia H. Days ’99 Claudia Quintero ’17

CAREER SERVICES Program Panelists Hillary Bylicki Christopher M. Erchull ’14 Michael Greenberg ’89 James Hisgen Richard Keidel ’16 Carly Koebel Elisabeth J. Medvedow Briana Tellado

Volunteering provides an opportunity to give back and help create an environment in the School of Law where professional and academic aspects of the law can work together. It’s also a chance to connect with new people who share an interest in the law. After participating as a volunteer at the School of Law and meeting new people there, I typically have a renewed sense of hope for the future and a sense of new enthusiasm for my own work by remembering why I chose law as a career.”

— Ed Pikula ’83, Springfield City Solicitor

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“

The reason that for the past seven years I have continued to travel back to Western New England annually to judge mock trials is simple: I am a huge believer in the concept that practice makes perfect.

Law school alone often simply gets you across the finish line that is the bar. To be an effective attorney in practice, you must hone your skills: try different styles, and find what fits you the best.”

— Attorney Jarrett L. McCormack ’10, McCormack & McCormack

Lunch and Learn Series Danielle J. Barshak Aimee Cameron Brown ’90 Barbara DeSouza April English Susan Grossberg Bart Q. Hollander Ann Lynch Chris K. Mahoney Laura Mangini Anna Rice Jennifer Sharrow Christine M. Tetreault

CLINICAL AND EXTERNSHIP PROGRAMS Elder Law Clinic

Etiquette & Networking Luncheon

Peter Benjamin Lori Dixon

Romiesha Briscoe ’16 Mandie A. Lebeau Kaley Lentini ’14 Jonathan Longobardi ’10 Nicole Murray ’05 Michael Szklasz ’08

Real Estate Practicum

Judicial Candidate Program Hon. Michael K. Callan Hon. Mary E. Hurley ’76 Hon. C. Jeffrey Kinder Kevin V. Maltby Lon F. Povich Stephen M. Reilly Jr. ’06 Hon. Patrick S. Sabbs ’96 Carol T. Vittorioso Mentors John Bandeian ’09 Gerald Berg ’76 Michelle Bugbee ’00 Christopher Cava ’89 Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman ’11 Katie Crouss ’12 Kristen Dannay ’10 Hyman Darling ’76 Ensela Diaz ’05 Marisa Dubuc ’00 Kyle Guelcher ’02 Chrisopher Hug ’89

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Kelly A. Koch ’07 Julia Lentini-Marquis ’06 Daniel McKellick ’13 Maria Puppolo ’99 Elizabeth Rodriquez-Ross ’07 Lynn Scull ’09 Cheryl Smith ’83 Angelina Stafford ’12 Lori Wheeler ’02

Jeremy Bucci Denise Burke Aimee Cameron-Browne ’90 Hon. Judd J. Carhart Susan Cococcia Katherine Codeanne ’94 Hon. Alfred Covello Hon. Evelyn Daly ’82 Lisa deSousa ’85 Karen Duffy Hon. Lois M. Eaton ’89 Hon. Robert Fields Christopher Freid James Friedman Jonah Goldsmith Karen Goodwin Michael Gove Nathaniel Green ’85 Tracie Kester ’07 William Mahoney Hon. Mark G. Mastroianni ’89 Michael McCarthy Chris McLaughlin Leslie McPadden Olivia Mercadante Samantha Miller-Herrera ’06 Bill Newman Asaf Orr Hon. Christoper J. Panos Christopher D. Reavey ’89 Lizette Richards Tom Ring Hon. Katherine A. Robertson ’90 Brian Shea Hon. Richard Simons David Smith Maggie Solis ’07 Hon. Dominic J. Squatrito Barbara Stoll ’89 Kerry Strayer Rosemary Tarantino Peter Van Dellon Jeffrey Weisser ’76 Thomas Whitney ’76 Jennifer Wilcox

Mike Agen ’78 James Czapiga ’94 Thomas Fahey Philip Fanning Bridget Fiala ’12 Michael Gove Dawn Henry Jim Jurgens Jeffrey M. Knickerbocker ’97 Christine Kumeiga Provost ’97 Carl Landolina Scott McCuin Milly Parzychowski Jane Rothchild Barbara Smith Dennis E. Tully ’76 David Veleber Christine Webster ’98

MOOT COURTS AND COMPETITIONS

Small Business Legal Clinic

AAJ Trial Team

Martin Caine David Renauld William Trudeau

Bart Heemskerk ’86 Michael Joseph ’72 Hon. Mark G. Mastroianni ’89

Externship Supervisors

Negotiation Team

Nicholas Bamonte Heather Beattie ’99 James T. Brown ’13 Evan Brunetti ’09

Mark A. Borenstein ’14 Cara Hale ’15 Chris Rousseau ’16 Sandra San Emeterio ’10

National Moot Court Reuki Schutt Anne Fitzgerald-Pittman ’14 Transactional Law Meet Tatenda Chitemerere ’15 Daniel McKellick ’14 Kelvin Thomas ’14 Transactional Law Meet Tatenda Chitemerere ’15 Ellen Freyman ’88 Daniel McKellick ’14 David Parke Christopher Rixon ’88 Kelvin Thomas ’14

PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION First Year Moot Court Gina Birchall ’95 James T. Brown ’13 Paul J. Caccaviello ’89 Jeffrey Cedarfield ’95 Kevin J. Claffey ’98 Rich Goldman John P. Gravelec-Pannone ’77 Kyle R. Guelcher ’02 Charles Healey Peggy Kelly Luchansky ’83 Julia K. Lentini Marquis ’06 Anna Levine ’07 Stephen M. Linsky Nicole Murray ’05 Marc Needelman ’77 Andrea M. O’Connor ’10 Jeffrey K. O’Connor ’07 William J. O’Neil ’86 Joseph J. Patchen ’85 Andrew T. Rome ’84 Leslie S. Scoville ’96 Lynn A. Scull ’09 Christopher J. Sugar ’10 Jeffrey Weisser ’76 Paula Zeiner ’80 Guest Lecturers Davarian L. Baldwin Gina Birchall ’95 Kristina Bordieri ’03 Wayne Carpenter Scott Coopee Katharine L. Fretwell Jeanne S. Hart-Steffes Beth Hill Maureen Keizer Jacquelyn Lee Washington

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VOLUNTEER HONOR ROLL

Lisa Lippiello ’06 Jodi Miller Joanne Ollson Debbie Osgood Marsha Pruett Kara S. Rescia ’92 Elizabeth Rodriguez Ross ’07 Hon. David Sacks Michael J. Saporito Hon. Matthew Shea Michael Siddall ’90 Joseph A. Smith, III ’09 Bernadette Stark Michael Theulen Terence J. Welsh Betsy Williams Thomas N. Wilson ’88 Adam Woodrow ’02/G’04 Azizah Yasin Introduction to the Legal Profession Course Peter Benjamin Kristina Bordieri ’03 Charles R. Casartello ’87 Brian Clifford ’10 Justin Dion ’00 Michael B. Doherty Joseph P. Dusel ’78 Meg Gilmartin ’07 Chad G. Greiner ’10 Kyle Guelcher ’02 Matthew B. Harrison ’05 Garth Janes Nicholas Lata Jonathan Longobardi ’10 Hon. Mark Mastroianni ’89 Hon. Robert Murphy ’87 Andrea M. O’Connor ’10 Hon. William O’Grady Luigi R. Petruzziello ’90 Edward M. Pikula ’83 Robert J. Reeve ’83 Hon. Katherine Robertson ’90 Michael Roundy ’07 Hon. Elena Rovner Hon. David Sacks Lynn A. Scull ’09

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Christopher S. Todd ’00 John J. Torrone, III ’04 Christopher Visser ’09 Sarah K. Willey ’96

Laurie Millman Dayanna Moreno William Newman Diana Sierra Hilary Thrasher Jessica L. Viscuso ’16

SPEAKERS, PANELISTS and EVENTS

Forum on Hate Crimes

Symposium on Gender and Incarceration

Tahirah Amatul-Wadud ’05 Meris Bergquist Maris Brown-Ludwig Julia Crowley John Delaney Andrea C. Kandel Ann Lynch Kevin O’Regan Mehlaqa Samdani Sunila Thomas George ’95 Amy Wallk Katz

Gabriel Arkles Terry A. Kupers Jen Manion Rachel Roth Brenda V. Smith Carol Strickman 15th Annual Bankruptcy Conference Michele Feinstein ’84 Alexandra Hogan ’08 Hon. Elizabeth D. Katz Michael Katz Eric D. Kornblum ’92 Laura M. McCarthy Hon. Christopher J. Panos Denise M. Pappalardo Denise M. Shear Steven Weiss

Speakers for Student Organizations Anne Keyworth Azhar Majeed Rep. Jose Tosado Rep. Aaron Vega Color of Law Roundtable Discussion Series

Forum on Immigration Issues Marie Angelides ’96 Scott Clark Joseph P. Curran ’84 Michael Fenton ’12 Deirdre Griffin Megan E. Kludt

Maurice Powe ’01 Hon. Rupal Shah Trump 100 Days Series

Mass Clean Energy Tour Hearing Kyle Murray Sen. Marc Pacheco Elizabeth Toner Sarina Tracy Sen. James Welch ­

Massachusetts Appeals Court Hon. Amy Blake Hon. C. Jeffrey Kinder Hon. James Lemire Hon. William J. Meade ’89 Hon. James R. Milkey Hon. Ariane D. Vuono Naturalization Ceremony Timothy Bartlett Luis Chaves Tatenda L. Chitemerere ’15 Joseph Forte Kathryn Foster ’09 Hon. Mark Mastroianni ’89 Noreen Nardi Orientation Speakers Shawn Healey Hon. Kenneth P. Neiman MBA High School Mock Trial Program Elizabeth A. O’Neil Amy Osborne

Alice Bers John Baick

“

Volunteering as a moot court judge is very rewarding because when I was a student, I learned a great deal from those who gave their time to provide feedback about oral advocacy and writing skills. As alumni, we must continue to volunteer and assist the school so the graduates continue to excel in the workplace and community. Being a moot court judge is one small way that I can help current students bridge the gap between the classroom and the courtroom.”

— Attorney Kelly A. Koch ’07

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alumni profile With a JD and an MBA, Chris Patrick ’13 is ahead of the game as a sports agent ready to represent his clients in their prime and once they hang up their jerseys. Chris began representing professional athletes his first year in law school. Today, Chris and his Washington, DC-based firm, The Sports Law Group, are finding their niche representing rising U.S. and European athletes, coaches, and collegiate sports programs.

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ALUMNI PROFILE by Mary McLean Orszulak G’10

A Slam Dunk fter leaving one of the top sports agenA cies (Relativity Sports) last year, Chris started his own law firm, which is focused on representing athletes, coaches, and institutions.

In just seven months at the new group, Chris has had one player drafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Damyean Dotson, 14th pick in the 2nd round (Knicks) and negotiated two free agent contracts for Eric Moreland (Pistons) and Josh Magette (Hawks). He currently represents six NBA players in total.

While a law degree isn’t a requirement to be a certified agent with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) or International Basketball Federation (FIBA), it is a distinctive part of the philosophy that Chris says helps set his growing firm apart.

“There are a lot of agents who have law degrees, but aren’t practicing attorneys. As members of the bar, we are held to higher ethical standards,” explains Chris. “That’s one area where we differ from typical agencies: we’re attorneys first and agents second.”

One of Chris’ take-aways from observing the success of other attorney-agents, is to build long-lasting relationships with his clients.

“Attorney first and a sports agent second” is the game plan for Chris Patrick ’13 and his new firm.

“Our philosophy is to work with our clients for the next 20+ years, in all aspects of business.

Whether that be contract negotiation, nonprofit setup, employment agreements, franchise purchases, or anything else that comes up. We are in this for the long haul, not just to make a quick profit off of a player’s athletic abilities.”

He adds, “Many agents are willing to pay clients to sign with them. By design, we want to attract a different type of player, who will be with us for a long career rather than those who are just chasing the money. We are seeking clients who want to be with us because we do things the right way. They want to hear our pitch on what we are able to do with their business ideas, owning a restaurant, setting up an estate plan, their will, or other ideas that friends and family may approach them about.”

Chris also focuses a large part of his basketball practice on representing European players. Viewing his client list on RealGM. com, shows he represents several Latvian and Serbian players, such as Davis Bertans, who is currently with the San Antonio Spurs. He also represents the Golden State Warriors 2014 draft pick Ognjen Kuzmic, who won a championship with the organization in 2015.

“I spend a lot of time establishing relationships in Europe. More European players are drafted each year, and the NBA is headed toward a more European-style game. My goal is to carve out a niche, and stay open to the evolution of the industry.”

A move with his wife to western Massachusetts led him to transfer to Western New England, where his business took off. To juggle his studies and growing business, Chris front-loaded his courses in the part-time day program to be available for work or travel later in the week.

“Deans Beth Cohen and Michael Johnson were amazing in helping me to do that. A lot of what I did involved phone calls, and most of my professors were very accommodating as I actually had to leave class to take calls!”

Chris describes his former Professors Fred Royal, Bill Baker, and Peter Adomeit, as well as Jocelyn Cuffee and Scott Chapman (both of whom he connects with regularly) as incredible mentors. He worked closely with Professor Baker on an independent study to develop a Sports Law course. Chris sees teaching as part of his own long-range plans.

He also took time to found the School’s Sports and Entertainment Law Society. After graduation, he earned his MBA at UMass, giving him both important analytical skills and also an added credential with a recognized Division I sports school. His business degree also gives insight into helping his clients navigate business opportunities.

With a JD, an MBA, and a solid game plan, Chris Patrick is one sports agent that is destined to raise the bar. u

A Career Game-Changer A lifelong basketball fan and Division III player at Keuka College, the California native was heading toward a career in teaching and coaching. A chance internship in college exposed him to the legal field. After a few years in coaching, including a year as a collegiate assistant coach, Chris began law school in California.

During his first year of law school, Chris helped out an old teammate who was playing basketball in Europe with his contract. Deciding that he wanted to be an agent, Chris endeavored to start his own agency, Court Vision XL.

Despite a hectic travel schedule, Chris makes family time with his wife, Jill, and children a priority.

(At left) On the court with Eric Moorland of the Detroit Pistons; (Far left) Chris Patrick with Robert Covington of the Philadelphia 76ers

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alumni news

Homecoming Weekend was a good reminder of the connections and accomplishments of our law alumni. With so many gathered to celebrate those successes, to reunite, or catch up, there was a warm and welcoming feeling during this weekend. Moreover, as mentioned in the Alumni Association article, it was a time of transition. Even as the Alumni Association Board of Directors’ leadership changed, the alumni engagement continued.

First Thursdays Gatherings First Thursdays continued to bring alumni from various regions together. Debra Rudoltz ’93 hosted one in her Counsel Press Offices in New York City in April. At the same time, roughly 1,600 miles away, Ijemoa Ugoezi ’06 hosted a First Thursday in Houston. Springfield alumni came out for a good old-fashioned BBQ at Theodores in May. Hosts are always needed. Our potential spring locations include Boston and New York City. If you would like to host or offer up your office space to host an event, please contact Kim Roeder at the Office of Alumni Relations at kim.roeder@wne.edu.

(Top left) Springfield alumni, Tasha Marshall ’16 and Ed Pikula ’83 enjoy the BBQ at Theodores.

(Top right) New York First Thursday at the Legal Press Offices with Eric Horn ’97, Stephen Broer ’99, Michael Borg ’88 and Shari Bornstein ’88. (Photo bottom right) Houston alumni, such as Jon Gross ’98 and Rachel Peterson ’13, met up in April.

Alumni Supporting Students and Grads Much of the last six months was spent focused on alumni assisting students or recent graduates. Members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors celebrated the final days with the graduating students at their graduation dinner and during Commencement. Other alumni, such as Kaley Lentini ’14, greeted incoming students during the Orientation activities.

Join us on

24 ◆

Many of our invitations, job postings, volunteer opportunities, the Law Digest, and Alumni Association Enews all go out by email. If you did not receive the August Law Digest or recent emails, your email is not in the system. Please update your information (including any promotions, awards, life events) through our online form at wne.edu/alumni/law.

l a w . w n e . e d u P E R S P E C T I V E S

ALUMNI NEWS By Kim Roeder

Professor Julie Steiner

Professor Bruce Miller

The Road Show The Road Show, an alumni initiative designed to bring our legal experts out into the community, focused its third event on the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts. Professor Julie Steiner presented on the subject to a crowd of alumni at City Hall in Springfield. Professor Bruce Miller discussed the Supreme Court nomination process under a Trump presidency with law alumni in Boston. Have ideas for an interesting Road Show? Let the Office of Alumni Relations know.

Despite their opposing team affiliations, Lisa Lippiello ’06 and her daughters, Sydney and Emily, enjoyed the Law Alumni event at the Yankees vs. Red Sox game in New York on August 12.

Great American Pastime Summer in New England means baseball—Red Sox baseball. In June, Dean Eric Gouvin hosted a reception at the Baseball Tavern in Boston, followed by a Red Sox game at Fenway. Tickets for the event sold out within two weeks. While many alumni joined for the first time, several, such as Gina Letellier ’83, continue to come back. In August, alumni from both the Red Sox and Yankees fan camps came together. Sox fans, including Lynn Scull ’09, met Yankees fans such as Linda Fakhoury ’04 at Yankee Stadium.

The School of Law LinkedIn page features articles and information about our alumni, School of Law events, and current students. Finding us is easy—search Western New England University School of Law.

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LLM in Elder Law and Estate Planning

Choose the only live, interactive, real-time, online LLM in Elder Law and Estate Planning

Accepting applications for January 2018.

Apply today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

visit wne.edu/llm, or contact Professor Mark Worthington, Program Director 413-782-1426 • 413-796-2041 mark.worthington@law.wne.edu

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alumni board

Law Alumni Association Board Report At the beginning of every fall meeting, new leaders of our Alumni Association take an oath to dedicate their next three years to engaging members of our alumni community. This year was no different as the School of Law Alumni Board of Directors welcomed its new directors and the incoming president Talia Gee ’10, at its fall 2017 meeting.

By Spencer Naake ’10

D

uring this transition at the Blake Law Center, the Board remained steadfast in its commitment to building an engaged alumni community for all graduating classes. The current composition of the Board now spans four decades of Western New England University School of Law graduates. From Ed Pikula ’83 to Tasha Marshall ’16, the alumni base is proud and well represented.

The newly inducted Board of Directors is honored to be an integral part of the Alumni Association. Karen Adamski ’14, a solo practitioner in Easthampton, MA, practices real estate law and estate planning (Read more about her on page 12). Jessica Audet ’06 is a founder of The Law Offices of Gadbois, Audet and Associates, LLC and the current president of the Tolland County Bar Association.

Kristin Bonneau ’04 is an attorney at Mullen & McGourty, where she practices employment and workers’ compensation insurance defense.

Lisa Lippiello ’06 recently formed a new firm, Olin & Lippiello LLP in Northampton, MA, where she practices criminal defense, personal injury, family law, and civil litigation. Her first career was in law enforcement, serving with the NYPD for 15 years. Adam Mandell ’06 is a partner at Maynard O’Connor in Albany, NY. He also serves on the Board of Directors of RUPCO, a housing and community development not-for-profit organization. Tasha Marshall ’16 is a public defender in Springfield. This recent graduate was active at the Law School, participating in the Black Law Students Association, Alternative Spring Break, and the national Lawyers Guild. Marcy Spratt Stevens ’09, who is returning to the Board for a second term, is currently the director of eDiscovery & litigation at the New York State Office of Information Technology Services.

Gee ’10

Marshall ’16

Lippiello ’06

At the fall meeting, the Board also thanked the exiting directors, Marc Strange ’04, Krystal Orr ’06; Chad Greiner ’10, Cristina Ianello ’02, Ellie Rosenbaum ’04, and Ijeoma Ugoezi ’06 for their service. Stephen Button ’06, the outgoing president, was also praised for his commitment and dedication to the Alumni Association. In addition, Shaun Sousa ’15 was selected to fill a current, but vacant spot on the board. Shaun is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Hartford, CT. This past spring, Stephen had the privilege of welcoming the Class of 2017. In the June enewsletter, he stated, “As an institution, the Western New England University School of Law is rejuvenated each spring by the addition of new faces and new ideas to the Alumni Association ranks.”

Sousa ’15

The current Board could not agree more with Stephen’s sentiment and welcomes your ideas and your passion. The Board also invites you to join the LinkedIn page or Facebook group for weekly updates and to look out for the Alumni Association enewsletter in your inbox. The enewsletter is an easy way for you to keep informed about alumni events, learn about the accomplishments of other alumni, and stay connected with the School of Law. Please be sure to update your contact information with Kim Roeder at kim.roeder@wne.edu to ensure you are not missing out on our communications.

Bonneau ’04

Mandell ’06

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alumni notes FALL 2017

Become a fan on

facebook

Western New England University School of Law

Become a Class Agent If you are interested in serving as a Class Agent, please contact Kim Roeder at kim. roeder@wne.edu or visit the School of Law Alumni Class Agent webpage in the “Get Involved” section.

Darling ’77

McCary ’79

Candaras ’83

1973

1978

1980

1984

The Honorable Melvin Westmoreland joined the Atlanta office of JAMS, an alternative dispute resolution company, as a mediator and arbitrator. He continues to serve as a senior judge in the Business Division of the Fulton County (GA) Superior Court, where he presides over high-volume complex commercial litigation.

Wanted: Class Agent

Class Agent Hon. William O’Grady wogrady@parkerandogrady.com

Class Agent Ina Forman aliforman@aol.com

1981

Bruce Klein has joined the law firm of Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP in New York City.

1975 Wanted: Class Agent

1976 Class Agent Gary Thomas gary@wealthtechnology.com

1977 Class Agent Marty Martin Marty_Martin@martinlegalhelp.com Hyman Darling was honored by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) as an NAELA fellow. He is the Academy’s president. Hyman is a partner at Bacon Wilson in Springfield.

Carol Rose is serving on the bench as a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles.

Joseph Aboyoun had an article published in the ABA’s Franchise Law Journal. The article, “The Franchisor’s Right of First Refusal: An Automotive Industry Perspective,” can be found at 36 Franchise L.J. 249 (Fall, 2016).

Kevin Murphy was honored with the Kent B. Smith Award at the Hampden County Bar Association’s Annual Judges Dinner.

Hon. Michael Riley (Ret.) joined Pullman and Comley, LLC in its Hartford office.

1979 Wanted: Class Agent On August 3, the appointment of Col. Thomas G. Bowman to deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs was confirmed by a Senate voice vote. He was nominated by President Donald Trump in July.

Paul McCary was named a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Association. He is a partner at Murtha Cullina LLP in Hartford, CT.

Wanted: Class Agent Edward McDonough was appointed

by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to serve as an associate justice of the Appeals Court.

1982 Class Agent Tina S. Page tinag.page@comcast.net Alan Schoen has been named to the Maartindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He is a litigator at Lenahan & Dempsey in Scranton, PA.

1983 Wanted: Class Agent Hon. Gale Candaras (H’15) delivered an address at Springfield College’s Commencement ceremony on May 14.

The former Massachusetts state representative and senator is an attorney in Wilbraham, MA. Bruce Melikian was nominated by Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker to serve as an associate justice on the District Courts in western Massachusetts.

1985 Wanted: Class Agent Michael Feinman was elected the new board president of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, MA. He is principal of Feinman Law Offices in Andover, MA.

1986 Class Agent Judith Jones jonesjh@aetna.com The Massachusetts Governor’s Council unanimously confirmed Kelli DiLisio to a judgeship at Hampden Juvenile Court.

She was most recently the first assistant clerk magistrate for the Franklin/ Hampshire Juvenile Court.

1987 Class Agent Marc Gaffrey mgaffrey@hoaglandlongo.com Kathleen Sandman was nominated by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to serve as an associate justice of the Probate and Family Court, Circuit Division.

(Continued next page)

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Hourihan ’90

Kristen Brierley ’13 Labor Relations Specialist State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Hartford, CT

Where are they now?

You started a new job with the State of Connecticut.

What is your role there?

“I spent the last four years clerking at the Connecticut Appellate Court, and later the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

“In June, I began a new role as a labor relations specialist with the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. I act as a negotiator in the collective bargaining negotiations of state labor contracts; participate in grievance conferences with agency and union officials; and prepare and present the State’s grievance arbitration cases.”

How has your education at Western New England led you to this career path?

“As I navigated through law school, I realized I wanted to use my law degree in a nontraditional way. The quality of education, internships, and clinics at the School of Law led me to having two incredible clerkships, and the privilege to choose where to take my career from there.

The unwavering support and guidance I received (and continue to receive) from faculty mentors gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.”

What else have you been up to since graduation?

“I serve as Chair of the Law Review Advisory Committee, which is a group of Law Review alumni that meets with the current executive board to lend support and pass down institutional knowledge. I also try to attend as many alumni events as possible.

“My husband and I bought our ‘forever’ home in a small town in Connecticut. It’s quintessential rural living—the perfect reprieve to the hustle and bustle of long workdays in the city.”

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Ward ’01

1988

1991

Class Agent Michael Borg mborg@SRBLLP.com

Wanted: Class Agent

Ellen Weiss Fryman was among honorees at the annual human relations awards banquet of the New England-based National Conference for Community and Justice on April 20 in Hartford, CT. She is a partner with Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin in Springfield.

Amy Fliegelman Olli was appointed senior vice president and general counsel of VMware in Palo Alto, CA. Jack Reardon of Cipparone & Zaccaro, P.C. in New London, CT, successfully completed his examination leading to his certification as an elder law attorney.

1989 Wanted: Class Agent

Joel Felber is a patent attorney and partner at Leason Ellis in White Plains, NY. The Massachusetts Governor’s Council confirmed Gardner, MA, lawyer Mark Goldstein as a Worcester County district court judge.

Richard Libert is Of Counsel with the firm of Ogletree Deakins in Indianapolis, IN. Vernon Ward was appointed town manager for Granby, CT.

1992 Wanted: Class Agent Luis Vera received the Mexican government’s highest award, the Ohtli, in July. Vera filed the first lawsuit against the “sanctuary cities” law on behalf of the border town of El Cenizo.

Christopher Hug was named to the Hartford County (CT) Bar Association Board of Directors.

He is a litigation partner at Robinson+Cole in Hartford, CT.

1993

Hon. Mark Mastroianni delivered the commencement address at the American International College Commencement ceremony on May 13.

1994

1990

1995

Class Agent Kathleen Porter kporter@rc.com

Wanted: Class Agent

Edward Hourihan has been honored in the annual Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business directory for Litigation— Upstate New York. He is a member of the Rochester, NY, office of Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC.

Wanted: Class Agent

Wanted: Class Agent

Gina Cinelli was named chief operating officer at LL Global, Inc. The not-for-profit trade organization in Windsor, CT, is the umbrella group for LIMRA and LOMA. She was most recently vice president of strategic initiatives at Guardian Life.

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alumni notes

FALL 2017

Button ’06

Dhaliwal ’07

1996

2001

Wanted: Class Agent

Class Agent Jenny Desch jenny.desch@yorkcountygov.com

Marilyn Gaffen retired as an assistant public defender in Connecticut in 2003.

She worked as a fundraising chair for Covenant to Care for Children in Hartford for several years until retiring to Maine in 2006. She now has six grandchildren and spends her time traveling to “far flung places.”

1997 Class Agent Michael Blanchard michael.blanchard@bingham.com Laura Chrismer Edmonds was recognized by the Committee for Public Counsel Services for her exemplary advocacy work on behalf of juveniles with the Jay D. Blitzman Award for Youth Advocacy.

1998 Class Agent Jeremy Colvin jcolvin@mcdonaldhopkins.com

1999 Class Agent Rebecca Mitchell proakisbeck28@yahoo.com

2000 Class Agent Jim Winston james@jameswinstonlaw.com Keshia Espinal was appointed a Brooklyn (NY) Criminal Court judge. She was most recently a supervising assistant district attorney for the Domestic Violence Bureau in Queens (NY) County.

Arose Nielsen was confirmed as a Juvenile Court judge in Massachusetts.

Thompkins ’07

Dion ’09

formerly an associate with Byrne & O’Neill LLP. Laurie Schwartz joined the public finance group of Butler Snow in the firm’s Atlanta office.

Pat Newcombe received a Spectrum Article of the Year Award for her article, “Crowdsourcing Legal Research: The Opportunities and Challenges,” from the American Association of Law Libraries.

2006

Shaheen Bennett Pollins was elected to the South Carolina Bar Board of Governors.

Stephen Button was sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court of the United States Bar. The honor allows him to attend Supreme Court proceedings and to practice law in federal court. He is an attorney in the St. Lawrence County (NY) Government.

Christopher Ward was elected to membership of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Department of the law firm of La Tanzi, Spaulding & Landreth, P.C. in Orleans, MA.

2002 Wanted: Class Agent

2003 Wanted: Class Agent

2004 Class Agent Linda Fakhoury ldfakhoury@gmail.com Adam Boston was named a stockholder in Reid and Riege, P.C. in Hartford, CT. He is a member of the firm’s Multiemployer Benefit Plans Practice Area.

2005 Class Agent Kelley Cooper Miller kelleycoopermiller@mac.com David Ansari joined the national construction law firm Peckar & Abramson in its New York City office. He was

Class Agent Julia Lentini Marquis juliaklentini@gmail.com

2007 Class Agents Kelly Koch Kellykoch32@gmail.com Stephanie Schlatter sschlatter@hotmail.com AJ Dhaliwal received the South Asian Bar Association of North America’s “Rising Star” award.

MaryBeth LeFevre was promoted to section chief at the Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Security and Integrity in South Burlington, VT.

Law Department. He is assisting with code violations in the Western District Housing Court.

Frank Izzo was named senior associate at Iseman, Cunningham, Riester & Hyde LLP in Poughkeepsie, NY.

2009 Class Agent John Bandeian jbandeian@gmail.com The Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section has appointed Kathleen Dion cochair of its Education Committee.

She is a member of the Hartford law firm Robinson+Cole’s Education Team.

2010 Class Agent Hirak Shah hirak.sh@gmail.com Danielle Nicklas Duplessis married Patrick Duplessis in April 2015. They welcomed a baby girl, Eliza, in August 2016.

Daniel Labrecque was promoted to associate general counsel for Compliance and Risk management at Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc. Spencer Naake recently welcomed his first child, Kelsey Swendiman Naake.

Mindy Tompkins is now a partner in the Health Care Practice Group of Murtha Cullina LLP in Hartford.

2008 Class Agents Kendra Berardi Kendra.berardi@gmail.com Michelle Hummer mhummer@ofalaw.com James Brown joined the Code Enforcement Division of the City of Springfield’s

Naake ’10

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Borland ’14

Brian Levin ’06 Management Specialist United States Embassy Cairo, Egypt

Bush ’15

2011

2013

Class Agent Maren Law Maren.law@gmail.com

Class Agent Amber Gould amber.m.gould@gmail.com

Where are they now?

Katrina Anop joined Bacon Wilson as an associate attorney primarily in the firm’s Springfield, MA, office.

2014

What does your work at the United States Embassy involve? What has it been like working in Egypt?

Nancy Farrell was promoted to supervising attorney in the family court program at Hiscock Legal Aid Society in Syracuse, NY.

“Broadly, my work involves dealing with information systems at the embassy. I keep the information systems running and I help disseminate information both back to Washington and to the people of Egypt. I have always found working with computers interesting, and each system and problem is a puzzle to be solved. By working for the U.S. Government, I get to help people on a small scale every day, but in advancing the mission of the embassy and the nation, I hope I am also helping people on a larger scale.

“Egypt is a great country. I think there are a lot of misconceptions right now about Egypt specifically, and this area of the world in general. However, there is a lot to see here, and the people are warm and friendly.”

How has your Law education prepared you for this career path?

“A good portion of my work involves reading highly technical compliance documents. Being able to process this information both technically and legally is crucial. The critical thinking that is engendered in the study of law has also been beneficial. Being able to evaluate government directives with a critical eye and define the meaning of administrative guidance is an invaluable skill in my line of work.

Lastly, calmness under pressure and sleep deprivation has been more useful than I would have imagined.”

What else have you been up to since graduation?

“I was on the Alumni Board of Directors and I have coauthored several papers in the field of biomedical informatics.

I have a son, Gus (one-and-a-half years old) with my wife, Sarah.”

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Devon Grierson was elected to the board of directors of the Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts. He is an attorney with Aaronson & Associates P.C. in Pittsfield, MA. Amelia Holstrom was recognized as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Up & Coming Lawyers. She is an attorney at Skoler, Abbott & Presser in Springfield.

Lambert Perrault has joined Guendelsberger Law Offices, LLP in New Milford, CT, focusing on family law, criminal law, and injury law.

Thomas Reidy has been promoted to shareholder of Bacon Wilson in Springfield. He is a member of the firm’s real estate and zoning team.

Stephanie Toronto is an associate at Billings & Barrett LLC, a New Haven, CT, criminal and family law firm.

2012 Class Agent Erika Scibelli erika.scibelli@gmail.com Alison McCoy was promoted to compliance specialist officer for BankESB in Easthampton, MA. Raquel Stevens was honored with the 2017 Outstanding New Lawyer award by the Capital District (NY) Women’s Bar Association. She is a law clerk to Associate Justice Robert Rose of the New York State Supreme Court.

Class Agent Rachel Rosenberg Quinlan rachel.rosenberg2015@gmail.com Grant Borland has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale (AZ) Bar Association.

Grant focuses his practice in the areas of tax and estate planning for affluent families and closely held businesses in Arizona.

Erica Reynolds is the executive director of the organization West River Valley Thrives in Townshend, VT.

2015 Class Agent Lenore Montanaro lenore.montanaro@gmail.com Kenneth Bush III joined The Cuddy Law Firm, PLLC as an associate attorney in its Auburn, NY, office. He concentrates on special needs planning, special education law, guardianship and representation at Medicaid and other administrative fair hearings.

2016 Wanted: Class Agent Katilee Boisvert joined Reid and Reige’s Hartford office as a member of the firm’s Business Law Practice Area.

Dan Pasquale and Ryan Director supervised the writing of a bill that will be added to the Springfield City Code. The City Council approved their Freshwater Fish Consumption Advisory, which originated in the School of Law’s Environmental Law Association.

l a w . w n e . e d u P E R S P E C T I V E S

alumni notes

FALL 2017

In Memoriam The magazine has received notice of the deaths of the following members of the School of Law family.

Boisvert ’16

Sullivan ’16

David Karkut ’70 Bruce Fogel ’75 Megan Florez is the compliance and reimbursement associate for the Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers, LLC in Manchester, CT. Kathryn Mullin joined the law office of Robinson+Cole in Hartford, concentrating on commercial real estate development, general real estate, leasing, and finance.

Joseph Poulsen joined the law office of Karen A. Fisher in Seymour, CT. He started in the office as an intern.

The Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section named Alisha Sullivan cochair of the organization’s Women in the Law Committee. She is a member of the Employee Benefits and Compensation Group at Robinson+Cole in Hartford.

Thomas A. Welch Sr. ’76

Vianna Tabitha joined Bacon Wilson as an associate attorney in July 2017. She is a member of the firm’s business and corporate practice group.

Susan Levinkind ’79

Raymond A. Blanchette ’77 Charles Massa Jr. ’77 Thomas Francis Reynolds ’77 James William Walsh ’77 Gary P. Troue ’84 Allan William Oxx ’93 Susan Ellen Furlong ’03

We are always interested in hearing from you. If you have news of career advancement or change, professional accomplishments or activities, marriages, births, changes in address, or any other news, please share it with us. Email: kim.roeder@wne.edu

CORRECTION: James J. Costello Jr. ’88 was incorrectly listed in the In Memoriam section of our Spring 2017 Perspectives. We apologize for the error.

LAW ALUMNI BENEFITS As an alumnus/a of Western New England University School of Law you receive all the benefits available to all graduates of the University. School of Law alumni, however, have additional benefits: Publications

Transcripts

School of Law publications such as Perspectives magazine printed twice a year and the Law Digest electronic newsletter emailed two times a year.

Request through the Student Records Office at the School of Law. Call the Student Records Office at 413-782-1402 or fax your request to 413-796-2067.

Replacement Diploma

JD Course Auditing

If your diploma is lost or damaged, contact Student Administrative Services at 800-325-1122 ext. 2080 (a $50 service fee is required).

This is offered for a nominal fee and on a space-available basis. You must obtain the permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Law Library

Career Services

Use of the School of Law Library is another benefit. Alumni need to request an access card by visiting University Police and showing your School of Law Alumni Card.

The School of Law offers assistance in résumé writing, employment correspondence, interview preparation, career decision-making, job search strategy, and access to electronic job postings.

For more information, contact Career Services at jobpost@law.wne.edu or call 413-782-1416.

For specific information visit wne.edu/alumni/benefits-services F A L L

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CampusUPDATE

By Judith Curran

Students in the first residency visited the Basketball Hall of Fame and Dunkin Donuts Park as part of a live case study examining revenue streams in nonprofit and for-profit sport organizations.

Game Changer. College of Business Announces New Master’s in Sport Leadership and Coaching Program.

Western New England University, a trailblazer in sport management and leadership education, has launched a new master’s degree program. It is taught by our outstanding Sport Management faculty along with our own Dr. Bob Klein, a nationally respected leadership expert and creator of The Klein Group Instrument (KGI®). KGI is an assessment tool designed to help people develop skills and strategies essential to maximizing performance in the team-based environment. Bookended by two six-day residencies, the program is taught primarily online, enabling students to earn their master’s degree while working full-time from anywhere.

Professor Matthew Charity Selected Co-President of SALT Biomedical Engineering Student Named Fulbright Scholar Recent Biomedical Engineering graduate Kwasi Amofa ’17 of Glastonbury, CT, has been named a Fulbright Scholar.

Kwasi, who previously conducted research at MIT, headed to the Netherlands this fall where he is spending a year at the MERLN Institute for Technology. There he will work on a new project to bioengineer a cornea—research that could have a major impact on ophthalmology.

Professor of Law Matthew Charity was recently selected as co-president elect of the Society of American Law Teachers (SALT). Professor Charity has served on the executive committees of the Association of American Law Schools Sections on Africa (Chair, 2013-14), Law and South Asian Studies, and International Law (Chair, 2015-16). Prior to joining our faculty in 2007, he spent seven years at the New York law firms of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson, and Baker Hostetler LLP. As a student at Columbia Law School, Charity was a member of the Human Rights Law Review, and worked with Human Rights Watch in Ethiopia, and at the Office of the Secretariat of the United Nations. He also served as a vicepresident of the Public Interest Law Foundation. He was a longtime member of the drafting committee of the International Criminal Court Committee for the American Branch of the International Law Association, and also serves as Chair of the Human Rights Commission of the Town of Amherst.

College of Pharmacy Expands Mission to Include Health Sciences The College of Pharmacy has a new name to reflect its expanding role in professional education in the health and wellness fields. With the launch of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program this August, it has become the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Building upon the doctoral programs in Pharmacy and Occupational Therapy, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is well positioned to establish future advanced programs in the health sciences.

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l a w . w n e . e d u P E R S P E C T I V E S

How your Gifts from the School of Law Make a Difference Every Day. • Provide student aid to attract and retain high-quality students.

• Fund travel to moot court competitions where students gain hands-on experience.

• Enhance curriculum to support academic success for students.

• Support bar passage programs.

Your gift every year makes a difference every day.

Make your difference for the School of Law today at wne.edu/giving/thefund

To make a gift today, contact: Deidre Swords BA’05 Associate Director of Annual Giving Western New England Univerity 1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119 deidre.swords@wne.edu Phone 413-782-1335 Fax 413-782-1450

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage

PA ID Springfield, MA Permit No. 896

Office of Alumni Relations 1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119-2684 law.wne.edu

Law Calendar OCTOBER 2017 24

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BLUE & GOLD ALUMNI RECEPTION Providence, RI BLUE & GOLD ALUMNI RECEPTION San Diego, CA

NOVEMBER 2017 2

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FIRST THURSDAY 701 Restaurant, Washington, DC Hosted by Elaine Kolish ’80 and Stephanie Schlatter ’07 BLUE & GOLD ALUMNI RECEPTION Albany, NY

FEBRUARY 2018 1

FIRST THURSDAY Location TBA, Hartford, CT Hosted by Jennie Quinn ’13

MAY 2018 20

Graduate Commencement

visit law.wne.edu

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