Pace Law Advocacy Board announces inaugural publication of The Advocate’s Advantage blog

Elisabeth Haub School of Law deeply mourns the death of Kristina Maria Gjerde, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on December 26, 2025.

Kristina was a 2024 Laureate of the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy, presented jointly to her and Singapore Ambassador Rena Lee in recognition of their leadership in advancing the United Nations Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)—a landmark achievement in the protection of marine biodiversity on the high seas.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce that the 2025 Ottinger Award for Faculty Achievement has been awarded to Achinthi Vithanage, Professor of Law for Designated Service in Environmental Law & Executive Director of Environmental Law Programs. The Richard Ottinger Faculty Achievement Award is awarded annually by the Faculty Development Committee, in consultation with the Dean, in recognition of a full-time professor’s outstanding service to the law school, the legal profession, or both. The award generally is based on the faculty member’s outstanding service during the previous academic year.

As a child, Skyler Pozo ’26 was captivated by courtroom television, often watching alongside her mother. That early fascination stayed with her and eventually evolved into a serious interest in the law and advocacy. “Once I got to college, I joined the Mock Trial Team at Scranton,” Skyler shared. “I ultimately became captain of the team, won awards, and was the first person in Scranton history to receive an award at the Opening Round Championships.”