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Student Spotlight

Mailinda Hoxha, 3L

Mailinda Hoxha shares how her family’s story ignited a passion for justice, guiding her path through law school. With a heart for advocacy and a hunger for experience, she’s exploring diverse legal fields while staying rooted in her mission to serve marginalized and immigrant communities.

What made you decide that you wanted to go to law school?

I attribute my decision to attend law school largely to the injustice my father faced while living under a communist regime in Albania. Hearing secondhand stories of the persecution he and other close relatives endured exposed me to the cracks within government policy and sparked my interest in understanding them further. Before my senior year of college, my father and I returned to the now-overgrown buildings where he had served seventeen years as a political prisoner. I watched him stand in front of the room where he had been forced to sleep for years after being charged with propaganda crimes—charges for which he never received a fair trial.

I don’t think everyone gets to witness someone come out on the other side—mostly because often, there’s no one to help them get there. That moment made me realize I wanted to go to law school to effectuate change, with the goal of offering legal expertise to marginalized and persecuted communities one day.

Emma K. Taylor, 3L

Emma K. Taylor, 3L, discovered her passion for law after working in D.C. and brought that drive to Seton Hall Law. From Moot Court to Big Law, her journey reflects grit, curiosity, and a deep love for community. Meet Emma in this month’s Adventures in Employment spotlight.

What made you decide that you wanted to go to law school?

I had a bit of a different path than most people who decide to go to law school because I didn’t have a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. After I graduated from Villanova with my bachelor’s degree, I knew I wanted to go to graduate school in some capacity. I ultimately decided law school would be the best option for me because it could open doors for my career—whether I chose to work in the legal field or pursue a JD-advantaged role. As luck would have it, I found a passion for practicing law and am excited to begin my career as an attorney!

Charlotte A. Sweeney, 3L

Meet Charlotte A. Sweeney, a 3L who turned curiosity about the law into a powerhouse legal journey. From externships with federal judges to impactful summers in Big Law, Charlotte shares her path, her pivot from litigation to clerkships, and the Seton Hall spirit that’s fueled it all.

Can you talk a little about what made you decide to come to law school?

I always had a feeling I wanted to go to law school. I remember being in school and not really understanding why many of my classmates weren’t fascinated by laws. Also, my mom is a lawyer. She always told me that law school had to make sense for what I might want to do with my career. She worked in-house my whole life, and I was interested in that kind of work. After I graduated from college, I decided to work as a litigation paralegal to see if I was still interested in law school. Turns out, I liked litigation more than what in-house work looked like — and now, here I am!

Edward Yanez, 2L

Edward Yanez, a U.S. Army veteran, LEO Fellow, and second-year law student, brings a dynamic mix of public service, academic excellence, and community mentorship to Seton Hall Law. In this spotlight, he shares how his journey—from the battlefield to the courtroom—is shaping his path in the legal profession.

As a Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC Scholarship Recipient and a Legal Education Opportunity Program Fellow, how have these opportunities shaped your law school experience and career aspirations?

These opportunities have provided me with invaluable support and guidance throughout my law school experience. As a LEO Fellow, I was able to navigate my first year with the support of the LEO Program Director, Professor Perez Vellios, and 2L and 3L LEO Fellows. When I think about my career aspirations, I look forward to giving back as an alum because I feel inspired by LEO alumni and firms like Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC that continuously give back to the Seton Hall Law community.

James "Bryan" Cavallaro, 3LW

Weekend law student James "Bryan" Cavallaro brings a wealth of real-world experience to Seton Hall Law, balancing work, school, and service with grit and grace. In this spotlight, he shares how his journey through trading floors, construction sites, and courtrooms is shaping his future in the legal field.

You’re juggling law school with a strong professional background, including real estate and being a law clerk. What strategies do you use to manage your time effectively as a weekend law student?

For me, time management comes down to prioritization—figuring out what needs immediate attention, what can be postponed, which quick tasks I can knock out to clear my plate, and what’s coming up that I can get a head start on to ease future pressure. Lately, I’ve also started trying to tackle at least one low-effort task each evening instead of jumping straight into watching TV or doing something else. Those small tasks add up and remove unnecessary stress.

Marilyn Monestime, Master of Legal Studies student and full-time compliance professional, balances career, motherhood, and academia with grace and grit. In this spotlight, she shares how her daughter fuels her ambition, how she’s navigating challenges in AML/KYC, and why clarity, mentorship, and resilience drive her path toward leadership.

What inspired you to pursue a Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in Financial Services Compliance while managing a full-time career and motherhood?

My daughter, Paige, inspired me to pursue a Master of Legal Studies. I found myself going through an uneasy divorce and realized that I was going to be the sole provider for her. Thankfully, I had the support of my mother—so I have to give thanks to her for allowing me to manage a full-time career and motherhood.

My ultimate goal is to be a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), and I felt stagnant in my career and knew I needed to strategize. One day, I decided to be intentional and surf LinkedIn to explore the career paths of current CCOs. I realized that the majority had a master’s degree. I had the skill set and experience; however, I determined that it would be crucial to earn a master’s degree—specifically with a concentration in Financial Services Compliance—because it would increase my knowledge, add more value to my current position (which involves AML/KYC-related investigations), and make me more marketable.

The Office of Career Services recently hosted an exclusive Big Law Mixer at the Newark Museum for the Class of 2027. Students had the opportunity to connect with accomplished alumni from Big Law firms in New York and New Jersey, gaining valuable insights and forging relationships ahead of the Summer 2026 recruitment season. With shuttle service provided and the museum’s elegant setting as a backdrop, the evening was a memorable step forward in students’ legal careers.

The Office of Career Services welcomed students to its annual Employer Preview event—an energetic, table-talk networking experience featuring attorneys and professionals from top law firms and corporations. Open to all students, the event also offered free professional headshots at an on-site photo booth, helping attendees look the part while building valuable connections.

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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