CLASS NOTES

Spring 2026

Class Notes reflect the recent achievements and milestones of our esteemed alumni. Stay connected by submitting your news and updates.

Photo: 2013 Alumni Reunion

1972

Marvin Ray Raskin has been reappointed to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for a four-year term that began April 1. 

1983

Margaret Ling, a member of the NYLS Alumni Association Board, was recognized in City & State’s “The 2026 Asian Trailblazers: Leaders of New York’s Asian American communities.” 

1992

Hon. Kerri Lechtrecker was appointed as a U.S. Immigration Judge for the Newark Immigration Court. She was previously a Village Justice for both Patchogue and Bellport, New York.

1996

Jennifer Arangio joined the Washington, D.C. office of Lippes Mathias LLP as a member of its real estate practice. She previously served as a senior director at the White House National Security Council, chief advisor to the administrator of the U.S. AID, and senior counsel to Rep. Peter T. King on the House Committee on Homeland Security. 

Marco Caffuzzi moved to Latham & Watkins as Real Estate Partner. He was previously Partner at Skadden. 

2007

Anthony Scali has joined Fox Rothschild as Partner in its litigation department in New York. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation and real estate disputes. He was previously Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson.   

2008

Hon. Eric Wursthorn, a New York City Civil Court Judge, was named the new LGBTQ+ Law Section Chair of the New York State Bar Association. 

2009

Sean M. Pena recently joined Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC as a Partner. His practice focuses on commercial and civil litigation and public entity defense. He was previously Partner at the Weiner Law Group. 

2010

Erica Aho joined Latham & Watkins as Partner in its executive compensation and benefits practice. She was previously Partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. 

Kassandra Perez-Desir joined Hollis Public Affairs as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. She was previously Head of Government Relations at DoorDash.  

2012

Dimitrios T. Markos, an employment litigator, was promoted to Partner in the Newark office of Littler Mendelson.

2014

Eric Knowles has been elevated to Partner at Fox Rothschild. 

2015

Matthew N. Bobrow has been named Co-Chair of Fox Rothschild’s Investment Fund Formation & Management Practice. 

2018

Melanie E. Getz has been elevated to Partner at Fox Rothschild. 

2019

Alexandra L. Simels is Chair-Elect of the New York State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section. She is an attorney with Martenson, Hasbrouck & Simon LLP. She is also a member of the NYLS Alumni Association Board. 

2021

Kenneth Chiarella, a shareholder at Capehart Scatchard, spoke at a seminar hosted by Concentra Advanced Specialists on May 19, 2026. He provided a legal update on recent New Jersey case law and proposed legislation relating to workers’ compensation law.  He was also selected as a Fellow in the 2026–2027 Leadership Academy class of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA).

Jesse M. Dimitro joined Dilworth Paxson LLP’s Real Estate practice as an Associate. He was previously at Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC 

Patrick Grosso has been named Partner at the firm Donovan LLP. He represents clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions, with a particular focus on real estate finance, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures.  

Crismelly Morales was appointed to the Rockland Community College (RCC) Board of Directors. An immigration and family law attorney in New City, NY, she is an RCC alumna.

2025

Joshua D. Berndt joined the practice Parmenter Law in Muskegon, Michigan, as an Associate.