Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

SBA NEWS
Contents
Message from SBA
President Tom Davis 1
SBA Happenings
2
Diversity Week
3-4
Student Spotlight:
Caitlin Wolter
5
Alumni Spotlight:
Paul Dullea

Dear Students:

I hope you are all getting through this tough

weather, particularly given the unprecedented level
of class cancelations. Despite the weather, I hope
many of you participate in the many SBA events we
have on tap this week, from our bi-weekly coffee to
the first ever Diversity and Inclusion Week. As
always, if there is anything that we can do to better
serve you, please visit www.suffolklawsba.com and
reach out!

Alumni Spotlight:
Jane Freedman
7
Alumni Spotlight:
Dr. Frank Riccio
8
Contact List & Preamble
9

Best,
-Tom
1

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

SBA Announcements & Happenings

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING:
On Sunday, February 22nd at 6pm is the
next BOG meeting. If you would like to
learn more about how the student body
government works to represent you, we
encourage you to stop by. Theres even
free food!
FIRST EVER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WEEK:
On Monday, February 23rd at 6pm the SBA
Diversity & Inclusion Committee invites you to attend the annual Diversity
Dinner. In addition, we are excited to announce that this dinner will officially
kick-off the SBAs first ever Diversity Week. In an attempt to significantly
increase diversity and inclusion within the Suffolk Law community, President
Tom Davis tasked the SBA Diversity & Inclusion Committee with the goal of
creating our first ever Diversity Week. Thanks to the hard work of the D & I
team of Josh Gonzalez, Sahara Defensor, and Adebola Aderinto, Diversity
week will take place from 2/23 2/26. For more details, please read pages 3-4.
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 1ST CIRCUIT WEEKEND:
From Friday, February 27th through Saturday the 28th, we encourage all
Suffolk Law students to join your 2014-2015 ABA 1st Circuit leadership for
food, fun, networking, and educational panels. As we near spring break and
continue to dig out from the snow, take some time away from your studies to
partake in the events. If you have any questions about these events, please
reach out to our ABA Rep, Will Noel, at wdnoel@suffolk.edu.
MASSACHUSETTS SBA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT:
On Sunday March 1st, SBA President Tom Davis and Leah Brady have
organized the first ever Massachusetts SBA Summit. All of the nine student
body presidents from Massachusetts law schools have been invited to discuss
key issues facing our students and ways in which we can work as a group to
address them. To further increase our effectiveness, we will discuss best SBA
practices, with the goal of putting together a manual for the use of future SBA
leadership.

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Diversity & Inclusion Week

DIVERSITY DINNER

Monday,
February 23, 2015

The SBA Diversity and Inclusion Committee in

partnership with the affinity organizations of Suffolk
University Law School invite you to its annual
Diversity Dinner celebrating the diverse backgrounds
and experiences of our students, faculty and staff,
administrators, and alumni. The annual event
features networking opportunities, guest speakers,
dinner discussions, and a variety of food representing
the diverse cultures and traditions of our student
organizations.

Dinner 6:00 p.m.

First Floor Function
Room

SECTION UNITY

Tuesday,
February 24, 2015
Tabling 1:00 6:00 p.m.
First Floor Lobby

Presentation 6:00 p.m.

First Floor Function
Room

Orange signifies cultural diversity awareness and

racial understanding. Wear any article of clothing
with the color orange on this day and between the
hours of 1PM-6PM check-in at the first floor lobby
with SBA representatives and let them know what
Section you are representing. The Section with the
most students proportionate to their total number will
win a cash prize!

INOPPORTUNITY AND INEQUITY:

Students of Color and their plight in Bostons Public
Schools
The SULS community is invited to participate in a
dialogue around the Boston Public School System.
The objective of the panel is to inform students of the
opportunities or lack there of for minority students in
the Boston Public School System and to highlight the
rate at which students of color are being labeled and
placed in special education. The panel is sponsored by
ELPS, BLSA, LALSA, WOCLSA, APALSA, & SBA
Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Diversity & Inclusion Week

Wednesday,
February 25, 2015
Presentation
6:30 8:00 p.m.
First Floor Function
Room
* Refreshments will be
served at 6:15 p.m., and the
program begins at 6:30 p.m.

WHY IT MATTERS:
The Case for Diversity & Inclusion in Legal Education and
Employment
Join us for an insightful program on the importance of
diversity and inclusion in law school admissions, teaching a
changing law student body, and the recruitment and
retention of an evolving pool of law school graduates in the
work force.
The program will feature a keynote address from E. Macey
Russell JD 83 Partner, Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.
In addition, there will be a lively panel discussion
with:Nicole Price Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer,
Suffolk University
Judge Isaac Borenstein (ret.) Professor of Law, Suffolk
University Law School
Carolyn Hebsgaard Executive Director, The Boston
Lawyers Group
The panel will be moderated by Professor Sarah Boonin,
and will also answer questions regarding opportunities and
challenges for law students with diverse backgrounds in
todays legal environment.

Thursday, February
26, 2015
TBD

suffolklawsba.com

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM:

Exploring the role of identity, diversity, and injustice in the
legal classroom.
The Suffolk University Law School community is invited to
engage ina discussion of the role of identity, diversity and
injustice in the law. As law students, we learn the facts of a
case, identify the issue, and apply the rule. But how, for
example, do we come to terms with a final judgment that
furthered injustice? Please join a panel of 1L Professors in
exploring these important subtexts in legal opinions that are
often not discussed explicitly in first-year courses.
Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Student Spotlight
Caitlin Wolter
Where are you from?
Stonington, CT
Where did you attend undergrad?
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
Are you currently focusing on a certain area of law or do you
have plans to do so?
Health & Biomedical Law
Do you currently have a job/internship?
I am a SJC Rule 3:03 Certified Student Attorney with the
Health Law Clinic.
Are you on a journal, a clinic, or do you have a leadership
role in a club?
I am the Chief Content Editor of the Journal of Health and Biomedical Law.
What do you enjoy doing outside of law school?
Skiing, sailing, and photography.
Favorite place to study:
My kitchen table with my dog, Riley, under my feet :)
Favorite study break:
Catching up on favorite TV shows on Netflix and calling/catching up with family.
Favorite part of Suffolk Law:
The helpful faculty who really work with the students and want them to succeed.
Favorite coffee shop near school:
Boston Brewin' Coffee
Favorite movie:
Just one?! Miracle On 34th Street (both versions!)

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Alumni Spotlight
Jane Freedman --- 1994
Jane Freedman, a member of the class of 1994, recently
started her own law firm, Jane Freedman Law, LLC.
Interview conducted by SBA Alumni Affairs Committee Codirector Eunice Aikins-Afful.
What is your current position and where?
In September of 2013, I started a law firm, Jane Freedman
Law, LLC. I am the principal and we are a full service
business law firm. We represent businesses at all stages,
from start up to mature, in many different industries, as
well as executives and directors. We work with
experienced contractors depending on the project and subject matter expertise that is needed
to staff any given project or client. Representative matters include acquisitions and
divestitures, intellectual property matters, financings, stock issuances and advice,
commercial real estate matters, acting as outside general counsel for companies, executive
compensation matters, contracts, to name a few. We have offices in Back Bay and Newton (I
often work from home).
Where did you attend undergraduate?
Wellesley College
What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in at Suffolk Law?
I was an editor of the newspaper and on the SBA. I also worked part time second and third
years at SULS (I went days).
What do you consider the best part of your job?
I love being able to create a vision for my firm and implement it. Its a great feeling to be in
the drivers seat in terms of marketing, delivering superior service to clients, creating the
vision and goals for the firm, selecting clients and contractors to work with, and setting the
schedule, pace and tone for the firm. I also love being an entrepreneur; and it helps me
relate better to my startup clients.
What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law?
Corporate, securities and M&A.
What was your favorite class while at Suffolk?
Probably tax (I know, that is strange). I also really liked first year criminal law.
6

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Alumni Spotlight
Paul Dullea --- 1997
Paul Dullea, a member of the class of 1997, is the Executive
Director of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.
Interview conducted by SBA Alumni Affairs Committee Codirector Eunice Aikins-Afful.
What is your current position and where?
Executive Director, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys,
Burlington, MA
Where did you attend undergraduate?
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in
at Suffolk Law?
Co-founder, Suffolk Public Interest Law Group (SPILG)
What do you consider the best part of your job?
Harnessing the talent and passion of our members for good causes.
What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law?
Childrens Advocacy
What was your favorite class while at Suffolk?
Advanced Constitutional Theory
Who was your favorite professor?
Tie: Kate Nace Day and David Yamada.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
Developing strong communities of lawyers through bar associations.
Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice, living or deceased?
Earl Warren
Any interview tips?
There is no substitute for enthusiasm. Know why you are there and to whom you are
speaking. Dont make the interviewer work too hard to pull information from you, but also
remember to listen.
One piece of advice?
Look up from the books (or screen) once in a while and get out and meet people. Join a bar
association so you will actually meet practicing lawyers.
7

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Frank Riccio --- 1985
Dr. Frank Riccio, a member of the class of 1985, currently owns his
own law firm in Braintree. Interview conducted by SBA Alumni
Affairs Committee Co-director Eunice Aikins-Afful.
What is your current position and where?
I own my own law firm (trial firm) in Braintree, MA.
Where did you attend undergraduate?
Boston College
What journals/activities/concentrations did you participate in at
Suffolk Law?
Photo courtesy of the
Massachusetts Bar
Association

I worked full time as a dentist, so did not have much time for
activities.
What do you consider the best part of your job?

It is never boring. I am constantly learning.

What type of attorney did you want to be upon entering Suffolk Law?
A trial attorney.
What was your favorite class while at Suffolk?
Advanced Torts.
Who was your favorite professor?
Tom Lambert.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
Teaching law to the dental students at Harvard Dental.
Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice, living or deceased?
No favorites!
Any interview tips?
Be enthusiastic!
One piece of advice?
Stay focused!
8

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Issue 16: February 16, 2015

Contact Information
Name
Tom davis
Monica Bellevue
Neil Lindquist
Callie grossman
Kelley Sweetser

Position

Email

President
Vice President
Chief of Staff
Chief of Operations
Treasurer

trdavis@suffolk.edu
mkbellevue@suffolk.edu
nlindquist@suffolk.edu
cgrossman@suffolk.edu
ksweetser@suffolk.edu

For a full contact list of all SBA Directors please visit our website at
suffolklawsba.com

Vice President Monica Bellevue and

President Tom Davis

SBA Constitution Preamble

We the Students of Suffolk University Law School, in order to support and
encourage academic excellence and professional development; to preserve the
right of students to acquire a quality legal education in a just and reasonable
environment; to provide a means of communication between students and the
Law School; and to maintain a connection with alumni, do herby establish this
Constitution for the Student Bar Association of Suffolk University Law School.

suffolklawsba.com

Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA

Twitter: @SULS_sba