Law Graduates and Students Participate in an "Insider's View of the Capital"

February 11, 2009

A group of 30 students from the various schools of St. John’s University, including three students from the Law School participated in the 28th Annual Insider’s View of the Capital Program.

The three day program held in October, introduces students to alumni from various fields including law enforcement, government, the military, the non-profit sector and health care. The alumni graciously gave of their time to share their experiences working and living in and around the nation’s capital and students learned about the many opportunities available for internships and employment in Washington, D.C.  The students traveled by bus from the Queens campus Wednesday, October 22. That evening, a welcome dinner was held at The Market Inn in DC where remarks were made by Laura Cranston, R.Ph. '84P, Chapter Leader for the Washington DC Alumni Chapter and Michael Goldman, Esq. '98L, President of the School of Law Washington, DC Alumni Chapter.


Law graduate Joseph Canovas '08, a participant of last year’s Insider’s View, is now a Law Fellow in the General Counsel’s Office at the AFL-CIO and spoke to those gathered about how fortunate they were to be selected for this year’s program. “The alumni participants give students valuable and candid information about living and working in D.C.,” he said. “I think if you take advantage of the information and opportunities provided, it will be a productive and enjoyable experience.”
 
The next day was very informative as the students first ventured to the Cannon House Office Building for a Legal and Law Enforcement Panel moderated by Brian Browne '93C, '97G, Assistant Vice President for Government Relations at St. John’s. An Industry and Non-Profit Panel was facilitated by Art DeCelle '78C, '81G, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for The Beer Institute, followed by lunch at Bullfeathers Restaurant. Later, students traveled to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission where Brian Breheny, Esq. '90CBA, '96L, Deputy Director for Legal and Regulatory Policy, Division of Corporation Finance moderated a panel discussion and provided a tour.  That evening, a Student-Alumni Networking Reception was held at The Phoenix Park Hotel. Students reveled in the opportunity to have one-on-one time with the alumni.
 
On Friday, law graduate Raymond Martinez, Esq. '93, Deputy Chief of Protocol at the United States Department of State, hosted the group there before they traveled to the Longworth House Office Building for a Healthcare Industry Panel moderated by Laura Cranston. During lunch, Thomas Snowden '88SVC spoke about how he got started in internships in television which led to his position as Video Editor for the Washington Bureau of NBC Nightly News and The Today Show. The final panel on U.S. Military and Challenges of the 21st Century was moderated by James McGinty '64CBA, '66MBA, '85HON.  Several Law School Alumni participated in this panel providing insight from their experiences in the Jag in relation to their current positions in the private sector and as a civilian in the military.

The Insider’s View of the Capital is one of the premier programs offered by the Office of Alumni Relations.   Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations George Richardson stated, “the key to the success of the “Insider’s View” is having St. John’s graduates willing to share their experience and knowledge with our students.”  Law School would like to thank the following graduates who participated in the program:

Brian V. Breheny ’96, Michael J. Goldman ’98, Joseph Canovas ’08, Alexander Butterman ’95, Salvatore Tamburo ’98, Dietrich A. King ’00, John McCreery ’99, Russell Ryan ’85, Raymond P. Martinez ’93, Wolodymyr Sulzynsky ’73, Lt. Col., James G. Bartolotto ’91, Mark Romano ’93.

If you would like to participate in the “Insider’s View” program please contact Claire McKeever, Assistant Dean for CLE and Alumni Relations at mckeevec@stjohns.edu or (718) 990-6006.