Students meet NYC alumni and judge to discuss career options

Photo by Roshni Veerapen

Mark Friedland, Law '87, Leslie Newman, Law '87, Michael Smith, Law '90, Dean Bill Flanagan, Michael Cochrane, Law '90, and Karen Gordon (Associate Director of Development) at the reception at Kaye Scholer LLP in New York on January 27.

During a trip to New York on January 27, 55 Queen’s Law students enjoyed the unique opportunity to learn first-hand about private and public law practice options in NYC and other large cities internationally. They had a choice of two sessions featuring alumni and an instructor from the Global Law Programs at the Bader International Study Centre (BISC) run by Queen’s in England. 

The private law session featured a panel of four alumni with extensive backgrounds in practice and working in-house and in industry: Michael Cochrane, Law ‘90, Managing Director of Duff & Phelps; Katherine Tew Darras, Law ‘94, General Counsel (Americas) of International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.; Hemamalini Moorthy, Law ‘94, Assistant General Counsel at Pzifer Inc.; and Michael Smith, Law ‘90, a partner at Kaye Scholer LLP and member of the Queen’s Law Dean’s Council. 

“I have benefitted greatly from my Queen's Law degree, so I am always happy to help Queen's where I can,” says Smith. “I am also a very big fan of Dean Bill Flanagan, who has greatly enriched the international reputation of the school. This benefits all alumni, especially ex-pats, as well as current students.”  

Photo by Roshni Veerapen

Law '13 students Max Ettinger, Robert Woon and Julia Webster at the reception.

Panellists provided the students with some perspective gained from their collective years of practice and encouraged them to think globally when applying the law they’ve studied. Students appreciated learning the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity and remaining open-minded because, while current goals and ambitions will shape the choices they make, in five to ten years their career may be different from what they originally anticipated. 

“The session allowed me to honestly evaluate career opportunities in New York,” says Julia Webster, Law ‘13. “I felt I was able to assess the amount of work required of a junior associate in an attractive New York legal environment and the different paths that can lead to working there. Most of all, the panellists emphasized the importance of dual citizenship (for those eligible) and keeping in touch with the Canadian legal community when working internationally.” 

In the public law session, Judge Kimberly Prost -- formerly of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and now the Ombudsperson for the Security Council Al Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Committee -- discussed current issues as well as careers in public international law. 

Photo by Roshni Veerapen

Career Services Director Leeann Beggs and Judge Kimberly Prost at the reception.

“I consider myself a friend of Queen’s,” says Judge Prost, who has taught International Criminal Law at the BISC since 2006. “I always enjoy speaking with students -- especially those from Queen’s.”

She encouraged the Queen’s visitors to think broadly about international work beyond traditional legal roles and described “how a good foundation in domestic law is an excellent springboard to international activities.” 

Noting the judge’s four UN roles in the last ten years, Max Ettinger, Law ‘13, says, “I was happy to hear how varied the opportunities are and was intrigued with how varied Judge Prost’s career path had been.  Sometimes it feels like there is a lot of pressure to identify your career path as soon as possible, even while you are still in law school. It was nice to hear that opportunities can arise in areas you had never considered, and that there is still room for an element of unpredictability in your legal career.”

Max says he was also eager to find out how international organizations address current world issues, such as terrorism. “It was interesting to hear how the UN has responded to terrorism from a human rights standpoint. I was impressed by the way Judge Prost’s office was engaged in ensuring legal accountability for the actions of the Security Council.”

After the two sessions, students had the opportunity to chat informally with alumni and friends at the Kaye Scholer LLP office on Park Avenue. 

“I felt excited to be part of the Queen’s Law community,” Max says. Like many of his classmates, he has come to understand that “Queen’s Law has a large contingent of alumni who are very proud of their connection with the school and willing to help Queen’s students accomplish their goals. As a student, I’m encouraged to know that even in international centres like New York there are alumni who can identify with where students are coming from and give us guidance.”

Julia echoes his sentiments. “I felt lucky to meet Queen’s alumni who seemed excited to share their career paths. And as a current and pragmatic Queen’s student, I find it helpful to know that there is a strong base of Queen’s Law alumni in New York!”