At New York Law School (NYLS), we’re proud to foster a vibrant community where students’ interests span a broad spectrum. In this month’s edition of Humans of NYLS, we’re spotlighting four peer-nominated students whose diverse passions inform their academic and extracurricular endeavors.
Jake Finkelstein ’25
Jake Finkelstein ’25 is a 2L day student. He grew up in Port Washington, New York, and graduated from the University of Delaware with a double major in marketing and management. Prior to attending NYLS, Finkelstein worked as a marketing associate at KISS Products. In the summer of 2023, Finkelstein interned for Hon. Joel H. Slomsky in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he had the opportunity to draft legal opinions and observe court proceedings.
Finkelstein is currently the Junior Staff Editor for the New York Law School Law Review, a student intern in the Nonprofit and Small Business Clinic, a teaching assistant for Property and Contracts, and a member of the Jewish Law Student Association. This summer, he will be joining Proskauer Rose LLP as a summer associate.
Outside of law school, Jake enjoys trying new restaurants, listening to music, and watching the Mets, Knicks, and Giants.
Michelle Guerrero ’25 Evening
Michelle Guerrero ’25 Evening is a 3L evening student who is passionate about the intersection of law and entertainment. She grew up in the vibrant landscapes of Ecuador before moving to the United States at the age of 17. She received her bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University, where she pursued a major in video production and public relations.
After college, Guerrero worked as a business immigration paralegal at Fragomen in New York City and Mayer Brown in Washington, D.C. After a rewarding, seven-year career in immigration, Guerrero is now gearing up for a new chapter in the realm of intellectual property.
An avid lover of the arts, Guerrero considers herself a creative spirit. In her free time, she loves exploring, capturing the perfect image, going to museums, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Alexandra Hough ’24 Evening
Alexandra Hough ’24 Evening is a 4L evening student. She currently works as a legal coordinator at the leading private lender in the northeast for providing working capital to staffing companies. Previously, she worked in the commercial lending division of a mid-size real estate law firm. As an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, Hough concentrated her studies in media communications and journalism and began her career doing editorial work in celebrity and entertainment news.
After law school, Hough plans to continue working in-house as a transactional attorney and ultimately aspires to be barred and practice law in both New Jersey and New York.
Sara Ponce ’26 Evening
Sara Ponce ’26 Evening is a 2L evening student. She was born in Mexico City and raised in Oxford, Connecticut, after moving to the United States in 2001. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut, where she graduated with honors in 2018. After graduation, Ponce began her career at Moody’s Investors Service where she is currently a lead ratings associate on the Project Finance and Infrastructure team. At Moody’s, she is involved in the Moody’s Cyber Working Group, Moody’s Recruitment and Retention Council, Latinx Business Resource Group, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Ponce is passionate about prison reform and is a volunteer for the Petey Greene Program. Before needing to switch to virtual tutoring during COVID, she tutored individuals in person at Rikers Island.
In 2018, Ponce founded Pretty & Petite, a petite clothing brand focused on providing a convenient, empowering shopping experience and community for petite women like herself.
Want to meet more of our “Humans of NYLS”? Check out previous features!