Students at New York Law School (NYLS) have always brought diverse backgrounds and unique career aspirations to the Law School’s vibrant community. In this month’s edition of Humans of NYLS, meet four remarkable law students nominated by their peers, and discover how they plan to use their comprehensive legal education to support their ambitions for the future.
Catherine Brumit ’28 Evening
Catherine (Catie) Brumit ’28 Evening is a 1L evening student currently working as a paralegal for a firm specializing in class action torts. Originally from East Tennessee, Brumit grew up on the east coast of Florida and graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in philosophy. She returned to Tennessee after college, working as a paralegal for the Federal Defender of Eastern Tennessee in the Capital Habeas Unit. There, she gained firsthand experience representing clients on death row. Brumit is passionate about working with incarcerated individuals and hopes to one day work in criminal defense, as well as handle civil rights claims for inmates.
Outside of school and work, Brumit loves to read and be creative. She has played clarinet for 13 years and enjoys playing with orchestras and ensembles.
Juan Castellanos ’27
Juan Castellanos ’27 is a 1L day student who was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey. He is half Dominican and half Colombian, and has a background in photography and sports, including football, track, lacrosse, and pole vaulting. Castellanos attended Montclair State University before transferring to Rutgers University, where he majored in criminal justice, minored in Latino and Caribbean studies, and co-founded an e-sports club. Before graduating from Rutgers summa cum laude in 2023, Castellanos had taken several classes involving criminal law that piqued his interest in becoming an attorney. He later interned at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in Newark, New Jersey, which solidified his career aspirations.
In his spare time, Castellanos enjoys listening to music, spending time with his family and dog, and trying new restaurants. He also works part-time as a bartender and enjoys making creative cocktails and drinks.
Cally Connelly ’27 Evening
Cally Connelly ’27 Evening is a 2L evening student. She grew up in New Jersey, where she has lived her entire life. She currently works at the Office of the New York State Attorney General as a professional coder on the Data Analytics team in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Before law school, she received her master’s degree in public administration and her bachelor’s degree in criminology. Connelly has always had a strong interest in fighting for justice and has wanted to work in public service for as long as she can remember.
After law school,she plans to become a criminal prosecutor while also devoting time to helping wrongfully convicted incarcerated individuals who cannot afford representation.
Francesca Perrone ’27 Evening
Francesca Perrone ’27 Evening is a 2L evening student. She grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and moved to New York in 2014 to attend Barnard College of Columbia University, where she majored in political science. She later pursued a master’s degree in public health at New York University while working at the New York City Council in constituent services and legislative affairs. She is currently a Commissioner on the New York City Commission on Racial Equity, representing Brooklyn. She works to ensure that policies and programs capture the true needs of New Yorkers and engages directly with constituents to hear their concerns and turn them into action items.
After law school, Perrone strives to work as legislative counsel for a New York City Council Committee, drafting legislation that positively impacts New Yorkers. In the long term, she hopes to remain in the advocacy space and continue working to promote social justice and create meaningful change in the communities she serves.
Want to meet more of our “Humans of NYLS”? Check out previous features!