Supporting Public Interest Initiatives 
Our annual Public Interest Auction was a big success, raising funds for the Law School's Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program and other public interest initiatives. It was also wonderful to celebrate this year's Auction award recipients, Professor John Clarke '55CBA, '57L and Genie Cesar-Fabian '04, and to honor the legacy of the late Professor Erica Fine '82, a dynamo of an alumna who was a longtime Public Interest Auction champion and supporter. 

Year after year, this pillar event is a beautiful collaboration between students and alumni, and we're grateful to the St. John's Law Public Interest Center students who worked so hard on this year's online and in-person auctions, and to the alumni who donated generously and bid high and often. 

Those donors include alumnae who participated in the SHEro Challenge sponsored by the Alumni Association Alumnae Leadership Council Chapter. With a generous match by Rose F. DiMartino '81, the Challenge raised $120,000 to fund 20 new Summer Public Interest Fellowships at St. John's Law.

Giving to St. John’s Law 
We’re in the final days of the Law School’s fiscal year! When you give to St. John’s Law before 5/31, you will have a profound impact on current and future students as they chart their path to success in the profession. Just ask J. Roland Sala Scholarship recipient Samia Shell '21C, '24L, who received the 2023 UN Human Rights Prize: 

“The scholarship I received made it possible for me to work at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), serve at the White House, and advise the Republic of Vanuatu on climate change matters at the United Nations. When alumni give back to St. John’s Law students, they lead by example, and over time I hope to give back to alma mater.” 

It’s quick and easy to give online before 5/31.  

Celebrating the Life of Professor Elayne Greenberg
An irrepressibly positive force, the late Professor Elayne Greenberg enriched St. John’s Law and the wider profession as she taught the value and practice of conflict resolution, modeled what it means to be a community builder, and produced outstanding scholarship in the field. The Law School community will gather with Professor Greenberg’s family for a remembrance celebration on Thursday, May 23, 2024. To attend the event, please RSVP through Eventbrite by Friday, May 17, 2024. We also invite you to contribute to the digital memory board that we’ll display at the event. For more information, email Nancy Brady at bradyn@stjohns.edu. 

A Law School Legend Teaches His Last Class
More than 50+ years after he taught his first class at St. John’s in 1973, Vice Dean Emeritus Andrew J. Simons '65 taught his last class at St. John’s Law recently. Colleagues and family members paid him a surprise visit in Advanced Torts to mark the occasion. As he closes this chapter, we wish our esteemed AJS many wonderful adventures ahead! 

Alumni Make an Impact
Hon. Raisa Cohen '07 has presided as an Immigration Judge in the New York Federal Plaza Immigration Court since 2016. Her journey from a young refugee to a distinguished Immigration Judge embodies the essence of the American dream, interwoven with a steadfast commitment to justice. Read more about Judge Cohen's impressive career path. 

The Center for Bankruptcy Studies guides the Law School’s J.D. bankruptcy law curriculum, houses the nation's leading Bankruptcy LL.M. program, and offers a wide range of programming for students, faculty, alumni, and practitioners throughout the year. Since coming on as Center Director last year, Laura Schwartz '90 has been hard at work building on that strong foundation of success and expanding the Center’s impact. Read more about Schwartz and her pivotal role at St. John's Law. 

We’ve Got (Real Estate) News
Congratulations to Meryl Diamond '99, partner at Alston & Bird, Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law Advisory Board Member, and adjunct professor, and Rob Sein '03, Director of the Mattone Institute, on being elected as 2024 Fellows of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. 

The latest installment of our Real Estate Minute series highlighting our new Real Estate LL.M. program features Hon. Alfred C. Cerullo, III '83NDC, '86L, President and CEO of the Grand Central Partnership.

The Mattone Institute’s Real Estate Alumni Spotlight Series continues this month with Andrew Esposito '16, Founder & Principal at Apex Development Group LLC. 

We Want to Hear from You!
We’re publishing the next edition of Class Notes, Births & Marriages, and In Memoriam at stjohnslawseeinfra.com around 6/1. You can share your news with us through our Alumni News Submission Form. Send us your submission by 5/24 to be included in the upcoming publication. 

In Print 
Professor Robin Boyle's article, "Undoing Undue Influence: How the Doctrine Can Avoid Judicial Subjectivity by Omitting the Vulnerability Element," will appear in Volume 47.1 of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy. The article addresses flaws in the doctrine of undue influence, arguing that its utility has been declining for several decades. You can read the full article abstract online. 

In the Media
Professor Rosemary Salomone was interviewed on the Global Dispatches podcast about her award-winning book, The Rise of English: Global Politics and the Power of Language. An excerpt adapted from the book, “How English’s Global Dominance Fails Us,” appeared in an online edition of Time magazine. Professor Salomone completed a UK book tour promoting the book’s paperback edition, which came out in January with an updated preface. 

In the Field
Professor Renee Nicole Allen discussed one of her recent articles, “Legal Academia’s White Gaze,” at Brooklyn Law school. The article will be published in the Minnesota Law Review. 

Professor Philip Lee presented on the Language of Law—Political Inclusion and Exclusion as a keynote speaker at the St. John’s University English Graduate Conference on Reconstructing the World From Ruin.  

LALSA Earns Recognition
Congratulations to our Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) on being named the recipient of the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA) Scholarship Fund’s 2024 Law Student Organization of the Year Award. The PRBA Scholarship Fund shared that LALSA was selected “because it has consistently demonstrated a sincere commitment to promoting the outstanding achievements of its former and present student members, addressing important issues concerning the Latino community, and providing the support needed for its members to graduate and network with influential members of the bar.” LALSA will accept the award and celebrate its achievements at the 2024 PRBA Scholarship Awards Gala in September.  

PTAI Ranks Fourth Nationally
The Law School’s Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute (PTAI) ended this year’s competition season fourth in Fordham Law’s Trial Competition Performance Rankings, rising 29 spots from last year. Congratulations to the students and coaches whose talent and hard work made that impressive achievement possible.  

Students Win Awards 
Myah Drouin '24 was selected as a Hon. Dorothy T. Eisenberg Women in the Law “Trailblazer” Award winner and Amanda Gazzo '24 was named an Award finalist. The Turnaround Management Association Long Island Chapter presents the annual Award in honor of the late Hon. Dorothy Eisenberg, who served in U.S. Bankruptcy Court (EDNY). Winners are selected for demonstrating unwavering determination, civility, and commitment to paving the way for young women professionals. Well done, Myah and Amanda! 

We’re also celebrating Talia Gal-Osher '25, who has been awarded a Peggy Browning Fund Fellowship in workplace justice advocacy. Fellows receive stipends for summer work at labor-related organizations around the country, dedicating their time to advancing the cause of workers' rights.  

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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