Quinnipiac Law School Mints New Attorneys

The key to a successful and meaningful law practice is civility.

That was the message that Justice Flemming L. Norcott, Jr. of the Connecticut Supreme Court delivered to Quinnipiac University School of Law graduates during the Commencement ceremony Sunday on the York Hill Campus.

The ceremony followed the  earlier in the day.

"Our profession stands for civility and leadership in the quest to find solutions to problems," Norcott told the 134 law graduates. "We need to maintain civility in our debate over complex issues."

He urged graduates to treat clients and colleagues with dignity and respect at all times, quoting the Dalai Lama: "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

Norcott told the crowd assembled in the TD Bank Sports Center that Quinnipiac School of Law students and graduates are among the best he has encountered in his 33-year career. He recognized graduate Kate Casaubon, who will work as a clerk for Norcott following graduation. Norcott received an honorary degree from Quinnipiac.

Law professor Alexander Meiklejohn, voted "Professor of the Year" by the Class of 2011, expressed confidence in the graduates, reflecting on their journey from first-year students during orientation to graduates.

Brad Saxton, dean of the School of Law, spoke of the challenging job market graduates face, offering encouragement to those still figuring out career plans. Saxton told graduates that many recent law school alumni try out several professional avenues before finding their ideal jobs. "Be patient and develop opportunities," he said.

One graduate, Darren Pruslow, is already following that advice. He came to law school after a teaching career, with the ambition to pursue public interest law. In the next few months, he'll take two bar exams and further develop his career plans.

"I know where I'm going, it's just figuring out how to get there," he said.

Pruslow will have time to do some soul-searching during a two-week service trip to Nicaragua over the summer, along with a group of School of Law students from the International Human Rights Law Society. The group will study prisoners' rights, fair elections and criminal procedure.

Classmate Andrew Marchant-Shapiro, who came to Quinnipiac with his family from Wisconsin, is planning to start his own solo mediation practice in Connecticut, called River Bridge Resolutions. He says he never would have found this professional interest if not for his law school education.

Kelly Obermeier, president of the Student Bar Association, spoke about the notable fundraising for charity, scholarship, service work and accomplishments of her class. She urged fellow classmates to continue to exceed expectations and to give back.

"Our reality is limitless," she said, "Our promise is to help others exist in our world, too."

View a recording of the live Web broadcast of the ceremony.

The following Hamden residents graduated Sunday:

Gary Earl Adams, Nicole Marie Atlas, Angelo Auteri, Jennifer Margaret Brady, Amanda L. Brosy, Lindsey R. Capece, Albino M. Caporale, Katharine Elizabeth Casaubon, Patrick James Cosgrove, Adam Deligianis, Shivani J. Desai, Daniel Murphy Erwin, Andrea Lyn Finan and Kathleen Grace Gedney.

Also, Morgan E. Gender, Alex William Gillott, Russell B. Greene, James R. Ingrassia, Martin A. Kintner, Alexander Henry Kuehling, Adam D. LaRue, Carol Lee, Jessica Ann Leiner, Michael J. LeMoult, Andrew Marchant-Shapiro, Katherine A. McColgan, Caitlin E. McGrory, Daniel C. Mokrycki, Connie K. Ng and Danielle Niederbuhl.

Also Kelly E. Obermeier, Michael R. Pedevillano, Celestia Belinda Price, Jennifer A. Pulcini, April Hammer Rosenkrantz, Margaret E. St. John, Lowell Thomas PhillipsTillett, Thomas Gale Tolbert, Steven C. Velardi and Brandon F. Yost.