In September 2000, the Albany County Bar Association established the Diversity Internship Program as a catalyst to increasing diversity in private practice law firms throughout the NY Capital District. For the

past two decades the Diversity Internship Program has connected Albany Law School students with law firms creating meaningful internship experiences, as well as developing an array of networking and educational opportunities for student participation. The program continues to thrive with more firms participating each year and a growing number of applicants applying. We are very proud of our interns this past academic year for taking the initiative to be strategic with their budding law careers.

Diversity Internship Program StudentsFall 2018- Spring 2019

Arianna BeltrezAlbany Law School Class of 2019

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Undergraduate: Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY

Internship: Carter Conboy, PC (Fall 2017, Spring and Fall 2018)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I believe that diversity in the law, as in all professions, is of great importance. True equity can only be achieved through equal representation of various communities through discourse contributed to by all. My goal in becoming an attorney was to give a voice to statistically underrepresented communities

by channeling my own experiences growing up as a Latina in underserved communities in Brooklyn.

What’s next? I have accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

Casey CiceronAlbany Law School Class of 2019

Hometown: Spring Valley, New York

Undergraduate: SUNY Albany, Albany, NY

Internship: Shenker Russo & Clark LLP (Fall 2018 and Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? Lawyers are in a unique position to help individuals, groups, and organizations with their legal problems and further the public good. I want to be at the table and use my position as an attorney to impact policymakers and to affect change.

What’s next? Areas of law I am interested in include public interest law, healthcare law, and government relations. This summer, I will be working at the Office of the Mayor in New York City.

Albany Law School, Class of 2019

Diversity Internship Program StudentsFall 2018- Spring 2019

Alexandria DecaturAlbany Law School Class of 2019

Hometown: Altamont, NY

Undergraduate: Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA

Internship: McNamee Lochner P.C. (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? In high school, I took an introductory law course, Business and Personal Law, which introduced me to several different areas of law, and I became very interested in furthering my study of law. Then, while completing my undergraduate education at Mount Holyoke College, I served as the President of the

Business Law Society and took several classes in the fields of politics, public policy, and legal history. This further developed my academic and career interests in business law.

What’s next? After graduating from law school, I will be re-locating to the Orlando area and I will be taking the Florida Bar Exam. Afterwards, I hope to find a job working at an in-house legal department of a large company in the area.

Thank You to the Following Law Firms for Participating in the ACBA’s Diversity Internship Program (2018-2019):

BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC

CARTER CONBOY, PC

E. STEWART JONES HACKER MURPHY LLP

FARRELL FRITZ

HODGSON RUSS LLP

JACKSON LEWIS P.C.

MACK & ASSOCIATES PLLC

MCNAMEE LOCHNER P.C.

NIXON PEABODY LLP

O’CONNELL & ARONOWITZ

SHENKER RUSSO & CLARK LLP

WHITEMAN OSTERMAN & HANNA

If your firm is interested in learning more about the Diversity Internship Program and how to participate, please contact one of the Co-chairs:Matthew J. Kelly | MKelly@rwgmlaw.comMishka Woodley | mishka.woodley@srclawoffices.com

Diversity Internship Program StudentsFall 2018- Spring 2019

Joseph de PerioAlbany Law School Class of 2019

Hometown: East Amherst, New York

Undergraduate: Canisius College, Buffalo, NY

Internship: Jackson Lewis P.C. (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I chose to attend law school because I wanted a career that would allow me to continuously learn about new things in depth, while at the same time provide me with the opportunity to work with and advise a wide array of interesting people.

What’s next? I am interested in transactional law, business law, and corporate law.

Fabienne LamarreAlbany Law School Class of 2019

Hometown: Queens, NY

Undergraduate: SUNY Albany, Albany, NY

Internship: Mack & Associates, PLLC (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I knew that whatever career I chose, I wanted to bring what I learned back to the community. In that regard, laws are intricate and constantly evolving, and lay people and attorneys often have difficulty understanding them. That is why I chose to become a lawyer. I want to become well versed in a number of practice areas and

share what I have learned with members of my community.

What’s next? I will be an Excelsior Fellow the summer of 2019. I am interested in career opportunities in Labor & Employment and Compliance/ Regulation.

Lovedeep SidhuAlbany Law School Class of 2019

Hometown: Hicksville, NY

Undergraduate: SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

Internship: Hodgson Russ LLP (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I chose to attend law school because growing up I saw how much the law and legal system can affect our lives. Being able to understand the law gives me the ability to help people. I truly enjoy giving presentations and being in a courtroom setting. I hope to be a great trial attorney someday.

What’s next? I am interested in private practice or pursuing a career in the public sector like becoming a Judge Advocate General, Assistant District Attorney, or Public Defender.

Jalen CrawfordAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Bronx, New York

Undergraduate: SUNY Albany, NY

Internship: Bond, Schoeneck, & King, PLLC. (Fall 2018 and Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I wanted to better myself and pursue a career that I could genuinely become invested in. I get great satisfaction from figuring things out that are difficult and working on projects that benefit others. I think this was the perfect career choice given my interests. Law school has benefited not only my office skills, but also my social skills.

What’s next? I am interested in pursuing a career in criminal, labor & employment, commercial real estate, or tort law. This summer, I will be interning at the Brooklyn DA’s Office.

Jennifer CruzAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Islandia, New York

Undergraduate: Stony Brook University, NY

Internship: McNamee Lochner P.C. (Fall 2018)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I worked as a paralegal before law school, so I had some familiarity with legal work, and I was good at it. When it came time to make choices about my career path, I knew that I could do more, so I chose to attend law school because I wanted a challenging and fulfilling career.

What’s next? I am interested in healthcare litigation and have accepted a summer associate position with Barclay Damon for my 2L summer.

Diversity Internship Program StudentsFall 2018- Spring 2019

Sonia Elizabeth BennettAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: The Bronx and Honduras

Undergraduate: SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY

Internship: Jackson Lewis P.C. (Fall 2018)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I decided to attend law school because I have always been interested in the blend between international business and the law in transactional matters.

What’s next? I am interested in transactional work and will be working for Jackson Lewis this summer.

Albany Law School, Class of 2020

Diversity Internship Program StudentsFall 2018- Spring 2019

Anisha GhoshAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Slingerlands, NY

Undergraduate: Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Internship: Nixon Peabody LLP (Fall 2018)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I chose to attend law school once I realized how an attorney’s role combines every aspect of what I wanted out of my career. As an attorney, I will constantly be learning, educating and helping others, and making some sort of difference no matter what area of the legal field I go into.

What’s next? I will be a 2019 summer associate at Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti working in IP law. I am interested in intellectual property and healthcare law.

Kyle IshmanAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Troy, NY

Undergraduate: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Internship: E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy LLP (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I enjoy the adversarial system. I was an athlete most of my life so I feel comfortable in a competitive atmosphere. The practice of law gives me an outlet for my competitive nature and caters to my intellectual strengths of reading and writing. I am also attracted to the impact that the legal field has on shaping social policy.

What’s next? This summer, I will be a 2L Summer Associate at Venable LLP. I am interested in appellate practice, civil trial practice, securities litigation, commercial litigation, civil rights litigation and constitutional law.

Charlene JosephAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Undergraduate: St. John’s University, Queens, NY

Internship: Farrell Fritz (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I always knew that I wanted to become a lawyer and even when I began to explore other professions, law just felt like the right fit for me. I enjoy being in an environment where I can be challenged everyday and learning how to use the law to change lives gives me a deep sense of accomplishment. I understand that being a lawyer

comes with a great deal of responsibility and as a student, I aim to take every opportunity to learn and figure out the best way to advocate for others.

What’s next? I am interested in opportunities in NYC working in the practice of labor & employment, entertainment law, and/or intellectual property.

Diversity Internship Program StudentsFall 2018- Spring 2019

Fabrice K. MichelAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Uniondale, NY

Undergraduate: Siena College, Loudonville, NY

Internship: Carter Conboy, PC (Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I wanted to be an attorney because ever since a young age, I’ve always found purpose and pleasure in helping others. What pushed me to go to law school was my Legal Fellows Internship during the Summer of 2016. There I worked with the Directors and Staff Attorneys on Mortgage Foreclosure, Immigration, and

Family Law related case. That experience opened my eyes as to the “why” attorneys are needed.

What’s next? My areas of interest are currently Trusts and Estates, Employment Discrimination, Property Law, and Criminal Law. This summer, I will be interning with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Georgia SackeyAlbany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Bronx, NY

Undergraduate: Binghamton University, Binghamton NY

Internship: Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (Fall 2018)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? The main reason I chose to pursue a legal career is because of my interest in the impact of laws on people and society, which in turn allows lawyers to help people and impact their lives in many different ways. Another reason I chose to go to law school is because of the various career opportunities available with a

law degree. Contrary to what people may believe, there are so many paths one can take with a law degree.

What’s next? I will be working at Chubb (Chubb Limited Insurance Company) the summer of 2019.

Jessica Ventura Albany Law School Class of 2020

Hometown: Brentwood, Long Island, New York

Undergraduate: Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Internship: O’Connell and Aronowitz (Fall of 2018 and Spring 2019)

Why Did You Choose to Be an Attorney? I became interested in law school because of my passion for immigration and criminal law. As an attorney, I hope to be help those who may not feel as if they have a voice to help themselves.

What’s next? I am interested in criminal defense and immigration. This summer, I will be interning at Licatesi Law Group LLP in Garden City Long Island, NY.