Suffolk Law SBA Newsletter 21 - 4/27/15

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Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter Issue 21: April 26, 2015

suffolklawsba.com Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA Twitter: @SULS_sba

SBA NEWS Contents

Alumni Spotlight: Sammy Nabulsi

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Hello everyone, This 21st issue marks the final edition of SBA News. I started this newsletter at the beginning of the fall semester with the goal of keeping the student body up to date with SBA related events, provide student and alumni interviews so that readers could learn about their fellow classmates and alumni. Throughout the year the alumni featured in the spotlights provided great advice and you can take a look back at these features at suffolklawsba.com. If you are interested in being an alumni spotlight next year please reach out to the SBA Alumni Affairs Committee at [email protected]. Additionally, for those graduating this year, you can find a list of alumni resources available to you on the Moakley Library’s website. I hope that you have enjoyed reading and best of luck heading into finals, graduation, and beyond, - Tom Davis

Student Spotlight: Eliza Bailey

Alumni Spotlight: Katelyn Burke

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Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Hugar

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Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Tradd

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Message From SBA President Tom Davis

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Student Spotlight Eliza Bailey

Eliza Bailey, a 2L from section D, was recently elected as the Editor-In-Chief for Volume 49 of the Suffolk University Law Review for the new school year 2015/2016. Interview conducted by Erin Knight. What year are you? 2L (rising 3L) Where are you from? Winchester, MA Where did you attend undergrad? University of Virginia What do you enjoy doing outside of law school? I love doing yoga and playing with my Golden Retriever. Are you/ do you plan to focus on a certain area of law? I’m not sure what area I want to practice in yet… in fact, I’m all over the map! I’m splitting my summer between litigation AND corporate work. We’ll have to see what sticks.

Are you involved in any school activities outside of classes (law review, trial team, SBA, clubs...) I am a member of the Suffolk Law Review and the Suffolk Women’s Law Association. Favorite place to study: Sixth floor library cubbies on the left side when you enter from the elevators (very specific). I need total silence to focus! Sometimes I even wear earplugs… (I’m a large nerd…). Favorite study break: Any form of exercise. During 1L finals I used to take walking loops around the Boston Common. We go to school in such a fantastic location, it’s great to be able to take a break and stare at historic Boston landmarks! Favorite part of Suffolk Law: The professors and the students! Favorite movie: Anything ridiculous OR any documentary; life is too short to spend two hours plus watching a heart wrenching or terrifying work of fiction! Anything else you would like to add? I’m so glad that I am able to study at Suffolk law school J

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Katelyn Burke, a member of the class of 2014, is a Legal Associate at Citizens Disability, LLC. Interview conducted by Erin Knight, Co-Director of the SBA Alumni Affairs Committee. What is your current position and where? Legal Associate at Citizens Disability, LLC. Where did you attend undergraduate? University of Vermont. What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in at Suffolk Law? Contributed to The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service; Member of the Suffolk Queer Law Alliance and of Suffolk Law Softball.

What do you consider the best part of your job (so far!)? The collaborative atmosphere of this advocacy group; it’s great to share ideas and arguments that work in order to better serve all clients. What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law? Public Policy and Advocacy Attorney. What was your favorite class while at Suffolk? And who was your favorite professor? 21st Century Lawyering; Favorite Professor must go to Linda Sandstrom Simard. Any tips for Bar Exam preparation? Find a good study partner and treat it like a full-time job. Take a little time off each weekend for yourself. Any advice for job searching? The informational interview might get tiring, but try to meet with someone in your area of choice who is willing to work with you on your résumé and has recent hiring experience. It can go a long way. Also, if big networking events are not for you, do not be afraid to reach out to Suffolk alumni and ask if he or she is willing to meet and speak with you.

Alumni Spotlight Katelyn Burke --- 2014

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Alumni Spotlight Anthony Hugar --- 2014

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Anthony Hugar, a member of the class of 2014, is the Director of Massachusetts for Themis Bar Review. Interview conducted by Erin Knight, Co-Director of the SBA Alumni Affairs Committee. What is your current position and where? Director of Massachusetts for Themis Bar Review. I’m based in Boston but oversee the company’s outreach in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Where did you attend undergraduate? Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in at Suffolk Law? Business Manager for Dicta 2012-2013. Founder of Suffolk Law Golf Club. Helped organize the Alumni Golf Tournament in 2013. I

was a computer lab assistant as well as a Lexis Associate and Themis Bar Review representative. What do you consider the best part of your job (so far!)? Meeting with students and working with faculty at some of the countries’ top law schools in helping students prepare for law school and the bar exam. What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law? I came in with a background in criminal justice and did a lot of appellate work in college. I figured that I was type-casted to be a criminal lawyer. I started to enjoy real estate law after first year. Happy to now be getting my broker’s license while still working full-time with Themis. What was your favorite class while at Suffolk? And who was your favorite professor? My favorite class was Lawyering in the 21st Century with Jordan Furlong. My favorite professors were Carter Bishop and Michael Rustad. Big fan of the business classes. Any tips for Bar Exam preparation? This is all I do and I would go on and on. I would suggest shopping around for the best course that fits your needs, ask questions, and see course demonstrations. When studying,

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do not over exhaust yourself. Study smart by focusing on your trouble spots more and make sure that you give attention to everything subject on the bar – yes, you should look at Commercial Paper and Secured Transactions. When in doubt, ask! If anyone ever needs any help, no matter what course you decide to take, you may always call me at 617.945.6060 or schedule an appointment with Professor Janda – he’s a great resource to have! Any advice for job searching? You got to work for it. Some of the best jobs are created by you. I would recommend getting business cards to start and put your LinkedIn address on the card instead of your mailing address. It is easier to hand your card out at a networking event instead of a resume. Even if the job is not posted, show your worth by helping your contacts achieve their goals and they would be more likely to vouch for you when the time comes.

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Alumni Spotlight Ryan Tradd --- 2014

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Ryan Tradd, a member of the class of 2014, is currently an Associate Attorney in the Law Office of James J. McNulty, Esq. Interview conducted by Erin Knight, Co-Director of the SBA Alumni Affairs Committee. What is your current position and where?

• Associate Attorney in the Law Office of James J. McNulty, Esq. (2 Attorneys)

• 40 Court Street, Boston, Massachusetts (Government Center)

Where did you attend undergraduate? • The University of Massachusetts at Amherst

What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in at Suffolk Law? • I concentrated in Business Law • During law school I gained valuable experience while working to help finance for

the inevitable expenses that accrue in law school. I worked full time at a car dealership while enrolled as a 1L evening student; I worked as a law clerk for Swartz & Lynch LLP, Kelly Law Office, and Cellai Law Offices, P.C.; and I interned with the United States Coast Guard Legal Office.

• I was an active member in the SULS basketball and softball intramural programs.

What do you consider the best part of your job (so far!)? • The best part of my job is my boss. Jim McNulty’s intelligence coupled with his

willingness to enhance my professional skillset has made me a fortunate first year attorney.

What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law? • I wanted to be a Sports Agent when I initially enrolled at Suffolk Law. I majored in

sports management while enrolled at UMass. Thankfully, that dream is still alive and well because my office’s area of focus is primarily transactional. I am gaining invaluable experience in negotiation and contract drafting for our corporate clients which I hope to translate into the sports law industry at some point in my career.

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What was your favorite class while at Suffolk? And who was your favorite professor? • My favorite class was Evidence with Professor Borenstein. I learned a tremendous

amount in this class. Professor/Judge Borenstein truly is a phenomenal professor.

Any tips for Bar Exam preparation? • Start Early! Staring early will allow you to work and learn at your own pace. You

want to avoid “cramming” at all costs. • Do not be scared to take breaks throughout your study period. Your brain needs to

refresh and relax in order to learn more efficiently. • Practice essay writing often! Not just the last 2-3 weeks of your bar prep program. • Take as much time off work as you can financially afford to. • Eat right and exercise.

Any advice for job searching? • Search within your alumni resources. This includes both Suffolk and your

undergraduate institution. • Prepare diligently for your interviews. Preparation is key. • Do not be averse to taking a less attractive job if it can help leverage you into a better

position later in your career.

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Sammy Nabulsi, a member of the class of 2014, is a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Interview conducted by Melissa Gaied, Associate Director of the SBA Alumni Affairs Committee. What is your current position and where? I am currently a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court. During the course of the clerkship, I sit in four different rotations which sends me to different parts of the state. I am currently in Bristol Superior Court down in New Bedford, MA. Where did you attend undergraduate? University of Nebraska – Lincoln. GO BIG RED!

What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in at Suffolk Law? While at Suffolk Law, I was a Staff Member and later President of the Moot Court Honor Board and Suffolk Journal of Trial & Appellate Advocacy. I also served as a Section Representative to the Student Bar Association for my first two years and was elected President of the Student Bar Association for my 3L year. In addition to those two roles, I was a member of the National Moot Court Team and the Vice-President of the National Muslim Law Students Association. What do you consider the best part of your job (so far!)? My interaction with judges. Although we are all lawyers (and soon-to-be lawyers), it is very rare to get glimpse into the workings of the judiciary. The best part of my job is being able to see how and why judges reach certain decisions, what they are nervous about before hearing certain cases or motions, and getting to know the more candid side of judges. What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law? I came into Suffolk Law with goal of being a civil defense trial lawyer. Nothing has really changed! I would say I have become more interested in doing appellate work instead of trial work, but you have to go through certain steps to get to that post at most civil defense law firms.

Alumni Spotlight Sammy Nabulsi --- 2014

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What was your favorite class while at Suffolk? And who was your favorite professor? It’s a tie for me. I would have to say my favorite classes were Appellate Advocacy with Judge Greaney and Federal Courts with Professor Karen Blum. It goes without saying, they are also my favorite professors. Any tips for Bar Exam preparation? Any person who sat for the bar exam could probably write and publish a treatise in answering this question. What I will say, however, is that the bar exam, if done correctly, is the LAST exam you probably ever have to sit for as a lawyer. Keeping that in mind is motivated me to put in the long hours and hard work it took to pass. You go three years, reading thousands of pages of case law and sitting for a number of exams that are all, collectively, much more difficult and nuanced than the bar exam questions. There is no reason you can’t pass the bar exam. It’s just a matter of motivation and discipline. That being said, make sure you stick to the program. I don’t care if you’re taking Barbri, Kaplan, or Themis. Done correctly, they will all prepare you to pass, but you have to follow the curriculum. Don’t get behind because you won’t be able to catch up. The preparation for the bar exam is already about picking battles, don’t make it more difficult by leaving yourself less time to prepare. Any advice for job searching? These days, it’s just as much who you know as what you know. Boston and the New England area, generally, are very saturated markets for attorneys. Firms have tons of capable and intelligent graduates to choose from. Obviously, Suffolk Law is the best, but even at Suffolk, 400+ students graduate each year to fill a much smaller number of job openings. Being the top of your class and having a number of extracurricular activities (and my recommendation is to have them both) will get you a job, but getting someone to open your application, look at your resume, and give you an interview is just as hard. Networking early and often will ensure that you have people all over the city ready to make calls to help you get one foot in the door. We are fortunate at Suffolk to have the most incredibly helpful and genuine alumni community. Even as an alumni, I take advantage of it. If they can’t help you out, they will call someone who will. But seriously, be top of your class and have some great extracurricular activities. I’m also of the belief that journal membership or at least competition experience and Moot Court is a requirement.

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Suffolk Law SBA Newsletter 21 - 4/27/15

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