Dear Friends,  

I am delighted to introduce the inaugural edition of the St. John’s Law Public Interest Center biannual newsletter, Justice in Action. We’ll share updates on our programs, inspiring stories of student and project achievements, and opportunities to get involved and support our mission.

Earlier this fall, Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum unveiled a vision that will guide the Law School into its second century of excellence, prominence, and impact. The Public Interest Center is dedicated to preparing the next generation of service-minded lawyers through these core principles: 

We’re committed to keeping this newsletter concise, engaging, and informative. Below is a recap of the Fall 2024 semester. If you missed our 2023-2024 highlights, you can read them online. As we continue to grow, your support remains vital to empowering our students and advancing the programs that enrich their educational journey.   

I hope you’ll stay connected as we build an even stronger public interest community at St. John’s Law.  

Warmly, 

Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz
Director, Public Interest Center  

We're thrilled to announce the inaugural Fellows of our new Fellowship Program, which offers exceptional students and aspiring public interest lawyers the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills by directly engaging and contributing to the Center’s activities. Our Fellows joined the program with a variety of skills, experiences, and an unwavering dedication to advancing the Center's initiatives. Please join us in welcoming our five new Fellows:  

During Orientation Week in August, students from the Class of 2027 learned about the critical role of public interest and public service lawyers, as well as the Center’s initiatives and programs. Over 50 students attended and engaged with our public interest student leaders, the Director, and faculty advisors. 

Daniella Nauffal ‘20, Christine Bella ‘96, José Pérez ‘85, Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, Director of the Public Interest Center, and Tamara Stephen, Associate Director of Career Development and Diversity Initiatives, participated in a panel about civil rights as part of the annual Student-Alumni Career Conference organized by our Career Development Office. During the session, panelists engaged with 1L students to talk about the intersection of civil rights and education, disaster response and recovery, wrongful convictions, immigration, and racial justice. 

Every October, St. John’s Law marks the National Celebration of Pro Bono with a series of programs. To kick off this year’s celebration, we partnered with the Mattone Institute for Real Estate Law, the Public Interest Law Students Association (PILSA), and the St. John’s Law Alumni Association Alumnae Leadership Council Chapter to host a Pro Bono Working Lunch. The daylong event brought 100 alumni and students together at St. John’s Law to provide legal support to low-income New Yorkers through the American Bar Association’s Free Legal Answers Program, which operates locally through the New York State Bar Association as New York Free Legal Answers.  

Responding to questions submitted online, 30 student-alumni teams worked on issues related to employment, immigration, constitutional rights, estates and probate, tenant’s rights, and more. In all, they provided free legal help and guidance to at least 40 New Yorkers, addressing their questions and offering helpful resources. Thank you to all our alumni and student participants! You can read the full story online to learn about the experience of Audree Maldonado '09C, '12L, Dayra Rivas '25 and Palek Singh '26. 

A shout out to the PILSA E-board, including Sam D'Alba '26 and Christina Grochowski '26, Directors of Events, for organizing a great lineup of events for Pro Bono Week last October:  

PILSA also kicked off the academic year with a casual event to welcome members back, share plans for the year, and foster connections among public interest-minded students. The fall semester concluded with De-Stress with PILSA, a relaxing event to give students a chance to unwind with coloring, hot cocoa, tea, music, and casual conversations. A total of 29 students attended, enjoying a much-needed break during a busy semester. 

Nine students were selected by the New York State Office of Court Administration to participate in the St. John’s Law Pro Bono Scholars Program, which enables students to take the bar exam during their last semester in law school and gain early bar admission in exchange for completing 520 pro bono hours through one of our in-house or partner clinics.  

Last semester, we adopted a new program rule allowing students to earn their program hours during the fall semester. As part of this initiative, Scholars came together to engage in a discussion of Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author challenges readers to examine the systems and policies that perpetuate poverty in the U.S., one of the wealthiest nations in the world. At the book discussion, our Scholars explored the legal and societal structures that contribute to economic inequality and discussed their hopes as future lawyers in promoting justice and equity. We look forward to seeing the impact they’ll have this semester through their clinics and wish each of the students listed below the best as they take the bar exam next month!  

Over 50 St. John's University School of Law students participated in the Public Interest Center’s semester training for the Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO). The training was led by our faculty advisors, Professors Ann Goldweber and Gina Calabrese. This initiative connects law students with volunteer attorneys to assist self-represented litigants in Queens navigating consumer debt cases. Sam D'Alba '26 and Asma Halimi '26 are working directly with the professors on this important work throughout the year. 

Justin Gorgchuck '25, one of our Fellows, led students in a book discussion on Killing the Black Body by Dorothy Roberts, examining the intersection of race, gender, and reproductive justice in America. Students discussed the historical and systemic oppression of Black women’s reproductive rights, while also reflecting on the broader implications for social justice and public interest advocacy. Sharing personal stories and anecdotes from their public interest experiences in law school, they talked about how these themes connect to their future aspirations as attorneys. 

Last fall, our Fellows and student volunteers kicked off the work of securing donations for our 2025 Public Interest Auction. This year’s Rock 'n' Roll themed event is supported by 60 students volunteering for the Solicitation & Procurement Committee, Tabling Committee, Live Auction Committee, Technology Committee, and Prize Distribution Committee. Our student volunteers and their dedication exemplify the spirit of service that drives our community. Want to get involved in the Auction excitement? Go online to learn more about the 2025 Public Interest Auction.

Last semester, over 125 students participated in various public interest career networking events. These included the Equal Justice Works Virtual Career Fair, the Government and Public Interest Employers’ Showcase—both coordinated through the Law School’s Career Development Office—and the Public Interest Network Reception, hosted by Fordham Law in collaboration with other law schools. 

Josef Khaimov '26, a summer intern through the Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps, was featured in an Aberdeen Insider article announcing East River Legal Services’ Legal Forms Clinic. Josef’s involvement showcases the role law students play in expanding access to justice. Read more about Josef's internship experience.

Dorian E. Rojas '15 was recognized as a Distinguished Dominican in the Exterior, granted by the Institute of Dominicans in the Exterior (INDEX) and presented by the Honorable Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic. The award honors Dominicans worldwide for their dedication and contributions to Dominican families and communities. Dorian received this distinction for her remarkable work in immigration law and advocacy, child and family law, and public service in New York. 

In a Law360 article, Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, Director of the Public Interest Center, highlighted the increasing demand for legal aid services as climate change exacerbates disasters.

More students pursue law degrees because of their interest in public service than for high salaries. The most cited reasons for attending law school are as a path to careers in politics, government or public service (44%); a passion for that type of work (42%); an opportunity to be helpful (35%); and to advocate for social change (32%). Learn more in the American Bar Association Profile of the Legal Profession 2024. 

What moment made you realize the importance of public interest and pro bono work? Share your story with us! Selected responses will be featured in our next newsletter. Submit your answer by Monday, June 2, 2025.   

Thank you for your support!

Comments, Suggestions, or Content Ideas?
Please email Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, Director of the Public Interest Center, at ortizorj@stjohns.edu.

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