Build Confidence, Build Careers

Happy Election Day!  This is a day to celebrate our freedoms – our freedom to speak, our freedom to pursue happiness, and our freedom of choice.  We are lucky to live in a nation that allows us to build our lives and careers in a way that fulfills us and, as attorneys, to help those who may face obstacles and/or injustices that prevent them from achieving success and joy.

The OCS Bulletin highlights the extraordinary achievements of our Seton Hall Law students as they have pursued various externships and job opportunities during their law school tenure.  How lucky to have students of different backgrounds and with different goals to have chosen to pursue their law degree here.  However, choosing a Seton Hall Law education is just the first step in determining your career path.  Now, you must decide in which direction you should go!

It's tough to make that choice without information and options.  How do you get that information you ask?  Attending information sessions, career panels, career fairs, and lectures are important ways to learn more about particular legal career paths.  Joining bar associations, conducting informational interviews, and participating in networking events are best for connecting with attorneys to learn more about their professional path.  And, pursuing legal externships during the summer and/or semester are crucial for determining what kind of law you like or don’t like.  Seton Hall Law, and OCS in particular, provide many opportunities to learn more about the legal profession.  Please take advantage of every chance you are given to equip yourself with information so you can make the right choices for yourself.  You may be surprised what you like when you put yourself out there!

Jacqueline C. Pirone, Esq.
Assistant Dean of Career Services

Student Spotlight

Christopher Frey, 3L 

Christopher Frey, a 3L law student, has leveraged his background in business administration and finance to excel in various legal roles, from internships at Quest Diagnostics and Norton Rose Fulbright to serving on the Seton Hall Law Review. His experience spans litigation, internal investigations, and Moot Court, shaping his passion for the legal field.

How did your experience working at Norton Rose Fulbright during your 2L summer shape your career interests and goals in the legal field?

I told NRF that I was interested in litigation, and they let me work on a variety of projects in that field. One area that was really interesting was internal investigations, where the firm serves as independent counsel to clients dealing with whistleblower claims. I sat in on some deposition-style interviews and reviewed documents to help the attorneys prepare for them. I’m hoping to work on similar cases in the future!

The LEO Corner

Emma Burch, 2L

Emma Burch, a 2L at Seton Hall Law, brings a wealth of pre-law experience from her internships at the City of Trenton Mayor’s Office and with a magistrate judge. In this interview, Emma discusses her legal journey, the impact of the LEO Fellows program, and her aspirations in privacy and intellectual property law.

This summer you interned at Suburban Propane. How did you hear about this summer internship? What types of assignments did you work on? What interested you the most about this position?

I discovered this internship opportunity through OCI. Over the summer, I was involved in a range of assignments, including litigation and risk management, contract management with customers and vendors, data privacy agreements, independent contractor and employment review, and renewable energy projects. I was particularly interested in data privacy, which was especially exciting to work on. I was drawn to this position because it allowed me to gain experience in various areas of the law. Working alongside experienced attorneys in their respective fields was an extremely valuable and enriching experience.

Weekend Warriors

Ayoka Smith, 2LW

Ayoka Smith, a 3L law student in the weekend program, shares her inspiring journey from real estate paralegal to aspiring attorney. With a passion for immigration, criminal, and real estate law, Ayoka balances her studies, work, and family while pursuing her dream of making a meaningful impact in the legal field.

Tell us about your 1LW summer internship with the Center for Social Justice, Detention Deportation & Defense Initiative? What types of assignments were you given? Do you recommend this internship to other students? How did you manage to do a summer internship with your full-time paralegal position?

As my 1L year came to a close, I was laid off from a firm where I had spent several years working. However, where one door closes, another one opens. I was fortunate enough to have already secured a part-time internship with the Center for Social Justice, Detention Deportation & Defense Initiative, which I was able to transition to full-time as I searched for work. I was immediately immersed in a world of research and analysis for clients who had been incarcerated for months and were on track for deportation. The work was very real, and I felt the pressure of having someone’s freedom and future depend on how well our team could research and present our findings. We were the last resort before removal for many individuals we worked with. Many incarcerated individuals were indigent and alone in this country, unfamiliar with the language or the law. My work during my 1L summer really opened my eyes to the importance of immigration work, and I gained a new appreciation for the attorneys and paralegals I worked with and learned so much from them during that time. 

Galin Dishoyan, 2L

Galin Dishoyan, a 2L law student at Seton Hall University School of Law, shares her diverse legal journey, from interning at Microsoft to representing Armenia at the UN. With a background in communications and fluency in multiple languages, Galin discusses her passion for law, technology, and international diplomacy.

How did your role as a Foreign Policy Intern for the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations shape your understanding of international relations and diplomacy?

My role as a Foreign Policy Intern for the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations significantly deepened my understanding of international relations and diplomacy. Being directly involved in the day-to-day operations of a UN mission allowed me to observe and participate in the complex processes of negotiation, consensus-building, and multilateral diplomacy. I gained firsthand experience in how countries navigate global issues, manage their interests, and collaborate with other nations. This experience also taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity, strategic communication, and the ability to find common ground in achieving diplomatic goals.

Maxwell Nares, 2L

Maxwell Nares, a 2L at Seton Hall Law, spent his 1L summer interning with Verizon's Legal Department. In this interview, he shares insights about his in-house legal experience, tips for securing corporate internships, and his aspirations in labor and employment law, with plans to transition in-house post-graduation.

Tell us about your 1L summer internship experience with Verizon? What type of assignments did you receive? What department(s) did you work in?

During my 1L summer internship with Verizon, I had the opportunity to work in Verizon’s Legal Department and gain experience in in-house legal practice for a company. I worked on a variety of projects in different practice areas, including contracts, compliance, marketing, labor and employment, environmental sustainability, tax, and pro bono. Through these assignments, I was able to narrow down my interests in the law and clarify which areas I want to pursue in my legal career.

Rhina Grullon, MLS '20

Rhina Grullon, MSJ, CHPC, CIPP/US, is the Senior Privacy Manager at Kenvue and a 2020 graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law's Master of Jurisprudence program. In this interview, Rhina shares her career journey, insights on privacy management, and the evolving landscape of compliance in today's digital age.

Can you share your career journey from your early roles in compliance to becoming a Senior Privacy Manager at Kenvue? What key experiences or milestones shaped your path?

I started my career in healthcare shortly after getting my Bachelor of Science. During my early career years, I held several positions where I was able to gain knowledge from the different areas I supported and develop a basic understanding of them. After doing marketing for several years, I moved into compliance, which was a very different role. However, having the marketing experience helped me in investigating cases related to sales.

Eventually, I moved up in the compliance space and became interested in privacy after being the HIPAA SME for over four years. I decided to pursue my Certified Information Privacy Professional certification. Something just told me that privacy was just getting started. I’m glad I listened to my gut! It led me straight to Seton Hall.

After a networking bootcamp hosted by the Office of Career Services, Seton Hall law students connected with local bar associations, gaining insights into legal careers and membership benefits. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to expand their networks and engage with the legal community.

An evening to remember! Seton Hall law students and recent graduates enjoyed connecting with alumni practicing in diverse legal fields over cocktails. This networking event provided a unique chance to learn about career paths and gain insights into different areas of law.

Wondering how to make a difference, build hands-on legal skills, and explore new areas of law—all while in law school? Anne Kassalow, Managing Attorney of the Housing Justice Project, dives into the "Who, What, When, Where, & Why" of Seton Hall's Pro Bono Service Program. From helping tenants to supporting domestic violence survivors, find out how a few volunteer hours can impact lives and enrich your law school experience. Click below to discover how you can start making an impact today!

Anne M. Kassalow

Managing Attorney

Housing Justice Project

Students are welcome to stop by the Career Services Boutique to get professional attire. All items are free, and they are welcome to take as many items as they like. Donations are also welcome. We accept gently worn or new suits, blouses, shirts, ties, etc. If you’re interested in organizing a clothing drive/donation event, please contact Ms. Blackwood at monique.blackwood@shu.edu 

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