Meet Walsh’s 2024 Summer Associates
Alexandra Arleo is a rising 2L at Fordham University School of Law. Prior to law school, Alexandra was Citigroup’s Strategic Business Management Assistant Vice President. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics with minors in political science and gender and women’s studies from Villanova University.
What made you want to pursue law as a career?
I always knew I wanted to work in a field where I could directly make an impact. I decided to pursue a law degree because I want a career where I can apply my critical thinking and writing skills to help others.
What’s your favorite part about working at Walsh?
The culture! Everyone has been so welcoming. Each attorney I have worked with has offered so much support and guidance to ensure I have a full grasp on the project at hand.
What are you looking forward to next semester?
As a rising 2L, I look forward to my upper-level classes this year! I am also looking forward to joining Fordham’s Urban Law Journal as a staff member. I hope to hone my legal writing and research skills that I can directly apply throughout my career.
Michael Asante-Appiah is a rising 3L at Seton Hall University School of Law. Michael was an Associate Editor on the Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy, Volume 48. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Purdue University, where he was the recipient of the 35th and 46th Academic and Service Awards by the Purdue Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff.
What made you want to pursue law as a career?
I wanted to pursue law as a career because I was intrigued by the challenge of the field and believed it would be a great opportunity to help people in times where they often feel the most vulnerable.
What’s your favorite part about working at Walsh?
My favorite part about working at Walsh is definitely the people. Everyone is so kind and open to discussing any possible issue. It has been a great experience so far.
What are you looking forward to upon graduating?
Upon graduating, I am excited to clerk for a judge and learn more about how the legal system works in practice.
Lauryn Kearney is a rising 3L at Rutgers Law School. During the 2023-24 semester, Lauryn was a part of the Editorial Staff for the Rutgers University Law Review. She is also a part of the school’s Minority Student Program. Lauryn earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Florida State University.
What made you want to pursue law as a career?
I wanted to work in a field that would allow me to help others in an intellectually stimulating way. That desire and my love of writing, research, and history made law an easy choice.
What’s your favorite part about working at Walsh?
Walsh is amazing. I get to explore many different areas of the law and learn how to “lawyer” from a group of talented individuals. Everyone, from the partners to the office staff, is welcoming, supportive, and available to answer my questions. I’ve learned and laughed so much this summer.
What are you looking forward to upon graduating?
Upon graduation, I look forward to beginning my clerkship with the Honorable Judge Hany Mawla of the Appellate Division. I cannot wait to learn about the inner workings of our New Jersey court system while simultaneously honing my writing and research skills.
Alex Storzillo is a rising 4L at Rutgers Law School’s Part-Time Program. Alex is a Senior Editor for the Rutgers University Law Review and a Teaching Associate for Legal Analysis Writing and Research Skills (LAWRS). During the 2022-23 semester, he was an Assignment Coordinator for the Courtroom Advocates Project. Alex is currently a charge paramedic at The Valley Hospital in Paramus and advanced cardiovascular life support instructor and paramedic with St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson. He received his bachelor’s in law and society from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
What made you want to pursue law as a career?
Although I haven’t taken the most direct route, law school has always been a long-term goal of mine. I’ve been a paramedic for the past ten years and was an EMT for four years before that. I was drawn to law because of the challenge and the level of creativity needed to solve legal issues. As a non-traditional student starting a second career, I believe my background in EMS, working under pressure and building relationships with people in their time of need makes me uniquely situated to succeed in such a challenging, yet rewarding profession.
What’s your favorite part about working at Walsh?
My favorite part about working at Walsh is the welcoming atmosphere and tangible legal experience I’ve gained. I’ve been assigned substantive work since day one, and truly feel like I am a part of the team. In just a short time I’ve had the opportunity to draft motions, observe court proceedings, and participate actively in the ins and outs of various cases. My opinions and input are valued, and each attorney is ready, willing, and able to answer questions I may have, no matter how small. The firm has a very collegial and collaborative atmosphere that makes me look forward to coming in every day.
What are you looking forward to in your next steps/future upon graduating?
I am entering my final semester of law school this Fall and am looking forward to graduating and beginning my second career. After graduation I hope to attain a job as an attorney and continue to hone my skills to become the best litigator and advocate for my clients I can be.
Walsh’s summer program is coordinated by partners Mariel L. Belanger and Caitlin P. Cascino. “It has been a pleasure welcoming Alexandra, Michael, Lauryn, and Alex to Walsh this summer. They have been an impressive group of aspiring lawyers who have enthusiastically tackled their assignments and engaged with members of the firm. We have made a concerted effort to expose our summer associates to multiple areas of the law through varied assignments with attorneys in a range of practice areas. This summer, our summer associates have had many invaluable opportunities to observe courtroom proceedings, depositions, and conferences. Walsh is committed to developing the next generation of attorneys through our summer associate program, and after spending the summer with Alexandra, Michael, Lauren and Alex, we have no doubt they will find great success in the legal profession.”