Welcome to another edition of See infra, delivering a sampling of news from St. John's Law. 

Throughout their law school journey, the Class of 2025 gained the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the legal profession. They took rigorous courses, accrued real-life experience, and learned one of the most vital lessons a St. John’s legal education can instill: the value of giving back to their communities and positively impacting the legal profession. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, as our newest graduates, the Class of 2025 crossed the Commencement stage and began their next chapter as St. John's lawyers. You can read more about Commencement 2025, view the Commencement photo gallery, and learn how to get involved in the St. John’s Law Alumni Association.

Growing up in Jamaica, Queens, St. John’s Carnesecca Arena was a hallmark of community for Abigail Drummond '25. Last Sunday, the famed venue took on new meaning for her when she led fellow graduates through its corridors to court-level seats as J.D. Student Marshal for the Law School’s 2025 Commencement Exercises. The first Black person to be named Editor-in-Chief of the St. John’s Law Review, Abigail was delighted to receive the Student Excellence Award presented at the Law School’s annual Diversity & Inclusion Gala. We invite you to read more about Abigail and her path to becoming a justice-driven lawyer.

Last fall, nine St. John’s Law 3Ls came together to discuss Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond’s book, Poverty, by America, and to share their aspirations for promoting justice and equity as future lawyers. That future came into sharper focus in April, when all nine students learned that they had passed the February New York Bar Exam, a milestone moment in the year they have spent as Pro Bono Scholars at St. John’s Law. Read the Pro Bono Scholars story. 

Leigh Pisane Cortez '00 knows what makes St. John’s Law unique. That unique education has provided her with a multitude of career opportunities, including her current role as an associate in Dechert’s global finance practice. As a first-generation law student, the supportive community and expansive alumni network solidified her decision to attend St. John’s Law. Twenty-five years later, the unique opportunities and rigorous legal education she experienced at the Law School set her apart. You can read our story about Leigh.

On a Tuesday afternoon, you may find Kevin Wong '16 reviewing a contract, refining intellectual property agreements, or taste testing the newest Steak & Queso Crunchwrap Sliders. Wong’s experiences have been unique and unforgettable working in-house as Senior Manager and Senior Corporate Counsel for the international business at Taco Bell. Read more about Kevin online.

On an otherwise quiet March evening, the St. John’s Law cafeteria was buzzing with excitement as students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends came together at the rock ‘n’ roll-themed 2025 Public Interest Auction, hosted by the St. John's Law Public Interest Center. As the auctioneer took the stage, the event’s VIP, Professor John P. “Jack” Clarke ‘55CBA, ‘57L, ‘24HON, took his seat at the front and center of the cafeteria. Professor Clarke generously provided the financial support to make the event possible as this year’s Auction Platinum Sponsor. Professor Clarke’s pillar support of the Auction is just one characteristic of a man who personifies generosity, paying it forward, and supporting St. John’s Law students. You can read more about Professor Clarke's lifetime of giving and support.

Congratulations to the 44 St. John's Law alumni who were admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in April! We celebrated the swearing in at our Alumni Association Washington D.C. Chapter Reception, which took place the evening before the Admission Ceremony.

In partnership with the St. John’s Law Alumni Association, St. John’s Intellectual Property Law Society and Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Society honored Kristen Ruisi ’02 at their 2025 Alumni Recognition Awards Night hosted by Venable. Attendees enjoyed hearing about Kristen's achievements in IP and entertainment law, networking with fellow alumni in the field, and partaking in delicious food and drinks.

Before walking the Commencement stage, graduating St. John’s Law Review students and alumni enjoyed an evening of recognition and celebration at the Law Review Alumni Reception. The event began with a ceremony where each graduating Law Review member received a plaque to acknowledge their hard work. Then, at the reception, Law Review students and alumni networked as we honored three outstanding Law Review alumni: Peter Irwin ‘96, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton; Jordan Pamlanye ‘22, Judicial Law Clerk to Hon. Mary Kay Vyskocil ‘83, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; and Andrew Simons ‘65, Vice Dean Emeritus, St. John’s Law.

To view a calendar of upcoming Alumni Association events, including special events taking place to celebrate the Law School’s 100 Anniversary, visit our webpage and save the dates!

The Center for Bankruptcy Studies’ Bankruptcy Alumni Spotlight Series continues in May with Jeffrey Cohen ’00, Partner, Lowenstein Sandler LLP. The latest installment of the Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law’s Real Estate Alumni Spotlight Series features Allan Hyman ‘65, Partner, Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP.

Organized by the Law School’s Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship Eva Subotnik, this year’s Hon. Edward D. Re ‘41CBA, ‘43L, ‘68HON Faculty Workshop Series brought legal scholars from across the country together to discuss their current research and receive feedback on their works-in-progress from our faculty. You'll find the full 2024-2025 Faculty Workshop Series schedule online.

Professor Renee Nicole Allen's article, “Legal Academia’s White Gaze,” is out now in the Minnesota Law Review.

Professor Anna Arons' article, "Prosecuting Families," appears in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review.

Professor Rosemary Salomone was quoted extensively in a World University News article, “Algeria Drops French, Adopts English as University Language.” 

Visit the Faculty Focus blog for the latest news about our faculty’s many activities and achievements as legal scholars, innovative educators, and experts in the field.

Please join us in congratulating Alexia O'Brien '25 on being named a 2025 New York Women Executives in Real Estate Scholar. The WX Scholars Program is designed to encourage and support bright and talented young women seeking a career in New York commercial real estate by providing special programming and access to WX’s membership. 

We’re delighted to share that the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators (NALAE) has named Justin Fuller ’25 an Academic All American Trial Advocate. Justin was selected for the honor based on his standout performance in mock trial competitions nationwide as a member of the Law School’s Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute (PTAI), his wider academic achievements, and his leadership in the St. John’s Law community.

The New York State Bar Association posted “Court Reforms Guaranty To Correct Clerical Error and Save Lender Millions,” an article by Imrajdeep Sahota ’25, online. The article first appeared in the N.Y. Real Property Law Journal.

Let’s give a big round of applause to all the students who helped PTAI ascend to number four in the 2025 "Gavel Rankings" of national trial advocacy programs based on interscholastic mock trial competition results. Fourth is the highest that St. John’s Law has ever ranked, and marks a jump of 14 spots from last year’s ranking. Many kudos go to our hardworking student advocates, and their dedicated coaches.

Erinn Lew ‘25 and Mattone Institute Advisory Board member J.J. Sherman ’00 have teamed up to publish multiple articles. Their most recent collaboration is "Commercial Leasing in Fire-Prone Areas," which appears in the California Lawyers Association’s online news digest.

Comments, Suggestions, or Content Ideas?
Please email Lori Herz, See infra's Managing Editor and Lead Writer, at herzl@stjohns.edu.

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