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After spending 30 years on the bench, Haub Law alumnus Justice Joseph Suarez has recently retired. Born in Cuba, Justice Suarez attended City College in New York while working as an electrical worker in NYC Transit to help support his family. After a tragedy hit home, he and his fiancée became guardians of three children. “I had a responsibility to my family and at that point, I knew I had to support them,” said Suarez. “I decided that obtaining my teaching license would be prudent and I started a career as a science teacher in the South Bronx.” During that time, Justice Suarez supplemented his teaching salary as a S.E.C. registered Investment Adviser and Tax preparer and continued his educational studies, ultimately receiving an MBA in finance from Baruch. With a passion for learning and a drive to go further, he ultimately pursued and obtained a MS in Educational Administration and a NYS license as a District Administrator.

“By the time I had started thinking about law school, I had moved my family to Rockland County,” Suarez recalled. “I was interested in law, I truly enjoyed being a student, and there was a competitive value of a law degree that was appealing.” Ultimately, he was accepted to a number of law schools, but once he heard that Pace was to open a law school in White Plains, the choice was made. “It was the perfect circumstances for me. I would not have to commute far, and I could attend at night.”

Once enrolled at what was then known as Pace Law School, Justice Suarez immersed himself in his legal studies. “Immediately I knew I was in the right place. And, fortunately, despite having a young family, I had the unwavering support of my wife, Della, without which none of this would have been possible.” During his time at Pace, Justice Suarez recalls the many professors who helped him along the way. “I was most impressed by Professor Jay Carlisle, Professor Bennett Gershman, and the late Ralph Stein. Their passion and skills for imparting knowledge on the particular subject matter was amazing.”

After graduating from Pace in 1980, Justice Suarez remained very involved with the School, serving as a member of the alumni association for thirteen years, as president, treasurer, and on various committees of the association. “I developed strong friendships with classmates during my time at Pace. We all fostered a mutual sense of wanting to give back to Pace through our involvement, which included scholarships, outreach to minorities, and more.”

I developed strong friendships with classmates during my time at Pace. We all fostered a mutual sense of wanting to give back to Pace through our involvement, which included scholarships, outreach to minorities, and more.

Once he was admitted to the bar, Justice Suarez accepted the position of District Director of Management Services in his South Bronx School District. When the position of labor negotiator for Rockland County became available, he applied and became the first Hispanic Assistant County Attorney in the process. During this time, he also helped found the Village of Chestnut Ridge, becoming the Village Attorney for the first 6 years of its operation and serving as the first Hispanic Village Attorney in the County.

With a passion for involvement in community causes, Justice Suarez was deeply involved with the Haverstraw community, helping to form: the Hispanic Coalition of Rockland County, the Alliance of Latino Leaders; and HOGAR (Home), an organization which focused on establishing first-time home buyers. Ultimately, through HOGAR, Justice Suarez helped close for nearly 200 families, over the years. “Giving back to the Hispanic community has always been a passion and priority of mine.”

It was in 1992 when the Acting Village Justice of Chestnut Ridge moved away that the mayor asked him to assume the position of Acting Village Justice and he accepted- becoming the first Hispanic judge in the Hudson Valley. For the next nearly 5 years, Justice Suarez served in that capacity. With a need for a second justice, it was in 1997 that Justice Suarez was elected to fill that role and since then, he has been re-elected continuously. “Being on the bench was not something I foresaw all those years ago when I was pursuing different educational paths and degrees. My career and the path of my career has been circuitous and rewarding. The ability to effect change, and ensure justice is served, has been life changing. It was the honor of my lifetime to have served in that capacity.”

Now that he is retired, Justice Suarez looks forward to taking the time to reflect on how he can efficiently effect positive change. “I am excited for the next chapter, connecting with friends, spending time with family, and a Havanese puppy we recently got, who takes up much of our time. I also look forward to continuing my work with the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association.”

Julie Tokar has always had a passion for justice and knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in law. After graduating from college in three years, Julie studied for the LSAT during COVID and decided Haub Law was the place for her. Now, she is a rising 3L who is pursuing an Advanced Certificate in International Law and just completed an internship with NASA. Learn more about Julie and her law school experience in this Q&A.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

My parents are from Eastern Europe and migrated to the US for a better life. My older sister and I were born in New York and raised in New Jersey. We are the only ones in our families to graduate from university and I am the only one in my family to attend law school.

What was it about Haub Law that interested you?

Haub Law really drew me in because I wanted to be close to home and have opportunities to practice law in New Jersey and New York. I also fell in love with the campus, it feels like a close community.

Which classes have stood out to you so far?

Professor Bennett Gershman’s Evidence course has been my favorite so far. His classroom experience is unlike anything else – even though cold-calling can be scary, it is an experience unique to law school, which all law students can bond over. Professor Gershman’s class in particular is a very interactive class and he makes what can be a difficult course, a fun and intense learning experience.

This past Spring you completed the Legal Honors Internship with NASA, what was that experience like?

It was wonderful. I assisted the Office of the General Counsel with various legal issues that occur within the Agency, which touched on intellectual property law, ethics, international law, and more. I spent a lot of time researching and analyzing international space law agreements, which was fascinating. During my internship, I was working on a research project, and it ended up connecting to a law review note that I was working on. I was able to reach out and connect directly with the international attorneys over at NASA's headquarters office and one of the space law agreements that I decided to write on happens to be one that those attorneys drafted themselves.

What do you hope to do after Law School?

I am pursuing my Advanced Certificate in International Law and I hope to continue my career path in international law. My opportunity with NASA was a step towards pursuing that goal as I worked with their international law attorneys at the Headquarters and Kennedy Space Center.

What advice would you give to future law students?

I think it is important to take the time away from studying and reading textbooks to spend quality time with family and friends. It's important to have a break from law school. The books can wait (sometimes.)! I would also tell new 1Ls to work and do law school at their own pace and not focus on what others are doing.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is pleased to announce that Paul Rink will join its faculty as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Law. Prior to joining the Haub Law faculty in 2023, Professor Rink worked at the climate law firm, Our Children’s Trust, representing young people from around the world in strategic, legal efforts to secure their right to a safe climate system. He is one of four new faculty members who will be joining Haub Law this fall.

"The Elisabeth Haub School of Law has a reputation around the globe as the premier institution for environmental law,” said Professor Rink. “I look forward to sharing my passion for climate law with the Haub Law community and to collaborating with its top-tier faculty and students to develop ideas and strategies for effectively combatting the climate crisis.”

After graduating with a BS from the University of Michigan, Professor Rink spent a year and half teaching soil science and environmental science to Singaporean students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic as a Princeton in Asia Fellow. He then extended his fellowship for an additional year, working on policy advocacy at the International Water Management Institute in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Immediately after earning his JD from Yale Law School and his Masters of Environmental Management from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, he spent time in Australia working as a forest restoration consultant for Conservation International. Following this consultancy position, Professor Rink researched the impact of business interests on international environmental law as a Fox Fellow in Mexico City before relocating to Portland, Oregon for his position as a Global Staff Attorney at Our Children’s Trust. While at Our Children’s Trust, he co-implemented a successful campaign to enshrine 100% renewable energy targets in Florida law; drafted comments responding to the Office of Management and Budget’s draft Technical Support Document on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases; and co-developed third-party intervention filings before multiple judicial bodies, including the Mexican Collegiate Court in Administrative Matters of the First Circuit, the European Court of Human Rights, and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.

Professor Rink’s research interests include climate and energy law, human rights and climate change, sustainable investment and net zero policy, and administrative cost-benefit analysis in the context of the climate crisis. At Haub Law, Professor Rink will teach several courses, including Torts this coming semester. “Professor Rink brings a unique perspective to our Haub Law community,” said Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. “He has spent time around the globe advocating for the environment and enacting positive change. The Haub Law community will benefit greatly from his unique background and learning more about his targeted research interests.”

Professor Rink has written academic articles ranging from the household economic benefits of rainwater harvesting systems to a comparative analysis of the forestry policies in Indonesia and Brazil. He has also contributed chapters to the Oxford Handbook on International Environmental Law (2021) and the 2019 Yale University Press publication, A Better Planet: 40 Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future.­ Professor Rink is originally from Gaylord, MI.

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Twenty-five years ago, what was then known as Pace Law School launched a summer Environmental Law Externship program in Washington, DC. Beyond giving students direct experience with environmental law and policy, one of the key goals of the externship from the outset, as described by Professor of Law Emerita Ann Powers and champion of the program, was “to introduce students to the lawyer’s role as responsible, ethical decision-maker, with an emphasis on the special discretion of the government lawyer.” In 1997, students experienced an intensive “bootcamp” on environmental law taught by environmental legal pioneer and Pace Law Adjunct Professor David Sive. In DC they worked as externs and took a seminar taught by Adjunct Professor Steve Solow, formerly Co-Director of the Law School’s environmental litigation clinic and then Chief of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section. Today Professor Solow is a partner at Baker Botts and still at the helm of this impactful and transformational program.

Over his tenure, Professor Solow has recruited five co-professors, all Pace alumni. One former student turned co-professor, Robyn Emeson, who serves as Senior Assistant Regional Counsel in the Regulatory Enforcement Section of EPA’s Denver Regional, credits her time in the externship program as refining her introspective approach to the practice of environmental law. She recalls that “from day one, Professor Solow taught his students to critically analyze the happenings around us in our practices, no matter what the context, and to periodically take pause to ensure our actions align with how we want to be remembered one day as lawyers, colleagues, and neighbors.” Former co-professor Lauren Bachtel, now in private practice after spending the beginning of her career in the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor, credits Solow as “one of the main reasons the DC Externship is so special. His experience, energy, and inquisitive nature made every class very exciting and rewarding.” Another co-professor, Lauren Fischer, notes that “Steve is the consummate teacher/mentor whose wisdom and guidance provides Pace students with critical lessons on how to avoid life’s potential pitfalls and achieve excellence.”

Current co-professor Kristen DeWire, a student when the program celebrated its 15th anniversary, reflected on the “profound” effect the program had on her career – “[i]nterning at the EPA and meeting many of the alumni practicing environmental law in the DC area opened my eyes to the wide range of opportunities in environmental practice. The experience was instrumental in my decision to return to DC to pursue a career in government service.” Professor DeWire is currently Senior Counsel of the EPA Environmental Appeals Board.

Not surprisingly, Professor Solow notes the crucial role of alumni participation and engagement. The list is dozens long of former externs who come back to support and give advice to the current class. Anne Carpenter, a former extern who then spent the last 15 years working alongside Steve in private practice regularly comes back to guest lecture once every summer; former Dean of the Environmental Law Program Alexandra Dunn also joins the class and helps open doors. In the truest proverbial sense, the DC externship program is a village. Professor Solow also credits the large network of attorneys at DOJ, EPA, Interior, the Coast Guard, FERC and elsewhere who have opened the door to Pace externs.

A member of the 2019 summer class, Anxhela Mile, says it was the deep relationships she was able to build with classmates and alumni from different sectors of the environmental law field that expanded her understanding of what opportunities may exist after graduation, and helped her career trajectory towards becoming a practicing climate change lawyer.

Danielle Schreiber, a participant in the 2010 summer session says that the DC externship was by far her favorite class in law school and that “Unlike traditional lectures, the DC Externship Program provides students with practical advice based on the real world legal experience they are getting over the summer. Having Steve’s expertise navigating issues relating to the public interest and tying in his private practice experience is invaluable.”

Another former student, Zaheer Tajani, who was recently appointed by the Department of the Interior as Senior Advisor for Oversight, remarks that even when it was not immediately apparent, the connections that Professor Solow helped foster with established environmental law professionals and peers alike built a network of support which would scaffold future professional success in both the public and private sectors.

In a region where there is huge competition for positions, Pace students are in the mix in part because of this growing network of Haub graduates. Professor Solow recalls that when he came to DC in 1997, he didn’t see enough Pace alumni in the environmental agencies and government offices. In his view, the biggest change over the last 25 years is how Pace students are received in the DC marketplace – they are recognized for a combination of practical skills, solid research know-how, and agency savvy, often gained through the DC program. He believes that the success of so many of his former students has helped in its own way to keep the Environmental Law Program atop the rankings for so long.

An example of how the extern program’s network impact continues to grow is the story of Samuel Capasso. A student in the 2008 summer session, Capasso is now a mentor and supervisor in his role as Branch Chief of the Community Infrastructure Resilience Branch in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division. Capasso notes that “The DC Externship program gave me the confidence to apply for DC jobs. I learned I was up to the task of serving the people of the United States and it helped me set working at FEMA Headquarters, where I now am a leader, as a career goal. I’m proud to pay this experience forward to new students!” Capasso received the 2022 Nicholas Robinson Award for Distinguished Environmental Achievement from the Law School.

Since its inception, over 225 students have participated in the Environmental Law DC Summer Extern Program. They all received the training and mentorship from Professor Solow in this programs format that Professor Powers describes as “especially effective, complementing and enriching the students’ more traditional academic experience.” Professor Robyn Emeson adds that “for 25 unwavering years, [Steve] has remained a phenomenal mentor and advocate for law students, making his mark as a foundational pillar of the Law School’s DC Externship program.”

As he prepares for the 26th summer class, Professor Solow describes how the class helps students explore the real-world issues they face. From negotiating for better work assignments and dealing with ethical dilemmas as government or private-sector attorneys, to addressing issues such as environmental justice and navigating government bureaucracies. Separately, he looks forward to the continued expansion of the Law School’s network in Washington DC.

Sachin Archer (BS in Computer Science ’25) is a Seidenberg student who traveled with the NYC Design Factory to Geneva, Switzerland during the Fall ’22 semester. While there, Sachin and his teammates met experts from CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, and collaborated with other teams from the Design Factory Global Network. Team Fusion, consisting of Sachin, Susanna Lammervo (MS in Human-Centered Design ’23), and Aastha Bhadani (MS in Human-Centered Design ’23), was led by Seidenberg professor and NYC Design Factory Director, Andreea Cotoranu, as well as the Dyson Film and Screen Studies chair Luke Cantarella.

This trip was a transformation on both a personal and educational level.

Although this annual project is usually only offered to seniors and graduate students, Sachin was noticed because of his exceptional track record, and Seidenberg staff member Jill Olimpieri recommended him for the program. Although he was hesitant to join the project first because he felt too inexperienced, his older sister persuaded him to give it a shot.

And what was it that was so unique and different about this project? As Sachin succinctly put it, it is about “connecting CERN technology and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” Every year, the Design Factory’s Challenge Based Innovation A³ project focuses on developing innovative outcomes to explore problem areas framed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals with the help of CERN and ATTRACT technology. “This year, our overall focus was good health and well-being. We were asked to choose a specific opportunity space to focus on, and we chose Goal 3.6. The aim of that is to decrease the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. Over the course of this project, we took this opportunity space and narrowed it to the NYC area to see what changes and advances could be implemented based on the information we collected.”

All in all, it was a tremendous experience that instilled a lot of motivation and hope in me that I never deemed possible in the world of tech, and more specifically computer science. Learning about design thinking was also life changing because I found myself using certain aspects of it in my day-to-day life.

Once these parameters were decided, Sachin and the team traveled to CERN’s Ideasquare space in Geneva, Switzerland. While the trip was filled with workshops and collaboration with other teams from all over the world, Sachin found it to be personally engaging as well. “This trip was a transformation on both a personal and educational level. It opened my eyes to an unimagined space in the tech world and gave me hope for my future as a not-so-stereotypical computer science major. It was refreshing to be in a space that recommended and supported one's creativity to their fullest potential. Collaborating with teams from different walks of life was a beautiful thing in itself. It was amazing to see how we all worked with our respective teams and also when we were away from that normality. All in all, it was a tremendous experience that instilled a lot of motivation and hope in me that I never deemed possible in the world of tech, and more specifically computer science. Learning about design thinking was also life changing because I found myself using certain aspects of it in my day-to-day life.”

Finally, when we asked Sachin if he could recommend one thing to say to any Pace student considering applying for the Design Factory program, Sachin had this to stay: “Just take the leap of faith and do it. It is an experience to say the least, and very enriching in more ways than one. Just promise yourself that you will be present, stay open-minded, and make connections.”

Check out Team Fusion’s project in more detail!

Shivani Thali

Business Development and Marketing Specialist, NY Building Systems Consultant Inc.

Class of 2024
MS in Social Media and Mobile Marketing

Internship: Retail Marketing Intern, Newmark

Pronouns: She/They

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As a retail marketing intern with the renowned commercial real estate firm Newmark, Shivani Thali is getting a taste of what it means to creatively capture and market some of New York City's finest buildings. Next to that, Shivani gets the opportunity to closely learn from leaders in the industry thanks to the company's "lunch and learn" sessions. Upon graduating with their MS in Social Media and Mobile Marketing in 2024, Shivani will be ready to successfully market themself to potential employers in a competitive industry.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

Students within the Lubin School of Business have a multitude of resources available, which we're encouraged to take advantage of. Every class so far has had a hands-on marketing-related project that covers market research, analysis, and financial planning that provides a kickstart for your career. The curriculum also occasionally requires us to complete certificate courses, which helps improve our career-oriented skills.

What attracted you to your current internship with the commercial real estate firm Newmark?

With the uprising of remote job culture, marketing in the commercial real estate industry has become more challenging, and I'm always up for a challenge. I've also always admired New York City's architecture and the brick-and-mortar shops it offers.

Describe what a typical day looks like as an intern at Newmark.

For social media marketing in real estate, I visit retail sites to capture pictures and develop creative and analytical strategies and suggestions to market them. The day for my department typically starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

So far, the highlights include intern-exclusive "lunch and learn" sessions with Newmark employees and getting commercial real estate tours of classic buildings like the Empire State Building and One World Trade.

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

As an international student with no prior work experience in my home country, this internship has introduced me to a corporate culture that is foreign to me and has helped me strengthen my resume.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

Being an intern is more like being a student than an actual employee, as we have group projects and "lunch and learn" sessions with employees. So, the upcoming semester will be more professional and easier to navigate in terms of task completion.

Once you secure an internship, make an effort to be all ears, take your time to think before you answer, and be inquisitive. While hard skills look great on resumes, you must ultimately conquer relevant soft skills to level up in corporate.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

Treat internships/on-campus assistantships, volunteering/club leadership opportunities, and good grades as your priority. Keep your friends and professors close as networking starts from connecting with your professors, asking relevant questions, and seeking out opportunities with their guidance. Once you secure an internship, make an effort to be all ears, take your time to think before you answer, and be inquisitive. While hard skills look great on resumes, you must ultimately conquer relevant soft skills to level up in corporate. If you ever feel stuck somewhere, a part of the solution would be utilizing the multitude of career and educational counseling resources that Pace University offers. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!

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Raimundo Espinoza

Class of 2004
Environmental Studies, BA

Recognized as one of 100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action in 2022 from the Sachamama organization, Raimundo Espinoza ’04 is also the founder and executive director of Conservación ConCiencia (a play on words, meaning “Conservation with Science and Conservation with a Conscience”), where he brings his extensive experience in marine conservation and natural resource management.

What was it like to receive such an honor? How is it meaningful to you?

Being recognized by the Sachamama organization is an incredible honor and overwhelmingly meaningful because I’ve dedicated my career and a great part of my life to making a positive impact, and being recognized in this way lets me know I’m on the right path. Being included on this list with so many talented people making our world a better place is a high point in my professional life.

What motivated you to start your own non-profit and in what ways do you wish to affect change?

The idea of starting my own environmental organization began during my second year at Pace, and the idea just kept developing throughout the years. I ultimately created Conservación ConCiencia because I saw an opportunity to implement sustainable conservation actions that placed people at the heart of environmental protection, so that frontline communities could participate, lead, and benefit not only from the end result of conservation, but also from the process. The organization is dedicated to environmental research and conservation that promotes sustainable development by working in collaboration with communities, NGOs, governments, academia, and the private sector.

You graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Pace University. What attracted you to pursue this course of study?

A very simple idea that any place in nature, be it a mountain, a forest, or a beach could be my office, my workplace.

The Environmental Studies program at Pace required courses in environmental ethics, economics, and policy, and the interdisciplinary approach was something very unique for me when I was comparing it to other undergraduate programs.

Why did you choose to enroll at Pace University?

I was looking at many schools, but the Environmental Studies program at Pace really called out to me. I didn’t want to be a biology or other science major, and, although the Environmental Studies program at Pace did require me to take a lot of courses in the sciences, it also required those in environmental ethics, economics, and policy, and the interdisciplinary approach was something very unique for me when I was comparing it to other undergraduate programs.

How were Dyson or other faculty in the Pace community instrumental in your personal and/or professional journey?

Attending Pace was one of the best experiences I had in my life and definitely one of the best choices I have ever made. I’m deeply grateful to so many who were instrumental in my journey.

Professor George Martinez, PhD, taught Political Science in a manner that drew me in; Professor Joshua Schwartz, PhD, provided insight into amphibian behavior; Professor James Eyring provided hands-on experiences with animals; Professor Betty Torrance, PhD, gave me the opportunity to be a student aid in her Costa Rica culture and language course; instructor John Cronin showed me what it meant to be conservationist; and Professor Angelo Spillo, MPA, of the Environmental Center was also supportive.

Two professors within the Environmental Studies program had a profound impact on everything I’ve done professionally. Professor Robert Chapman, PhD, broke down conservation and environmentalism to its core philosophical components; and Professor Ghassan Karam, PhD, opened my mind to the world of sustainability and introduced me to ecological economics, one of the main reasons I pursued graduate studies in Sustainable Development at the University of Maryland.

Tell us more about your Latino heritage and how this has inspired your work.

I am from Quito, Ecuador, born and raised; however, both of my parents are from Peru and immigrated to Ecuador to raise their family. Growing up in Ecuador provided incredible experiences that would guide me to my career path. At the age of 12, I went on weekend camping trips with friends to the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge, with condors flying above and tapirs entering our campsite; a high school trip took us to the Galápagos; and I experienced white water rafting in the Amazon, hikes in the Cloud forests of Costa Rica, and surfing on the Pacific coast. At the time, I didn’t see any of these activities as nature based; it was just part of life, and this was one of the main factors that drew me into a conservation career. Being Latino has inspired much of my work because nature plays such a critical role in our diverse Latino cultures by providing an abundance of joy through places that are sacred, that are used for recreation, that have provided for our cuisines to flourish, and so much more.

What advice would you give to our students as they navigate their undergraduate academic life?

Explore the courses you have at your disposal and use your elective courses to step outside your comfort zone into interest areas that provide you different perspectives into other fields you might potentially be interested in. Your electives can be used to create a minor outside your major’s subject, and you’ll have a broader knowledge base that will serve you in the long run. During this moment, your daytime job is to learn, a privilege that does not occur often in life. Enjoy your time at Pace.