Staff Biographies
Giuseppe Aguanno ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor (2008-2009)Giuseppe Aguanno is the Managing Editor for volume 47 of Family Court Review. He graduated from Duke University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy Studies, and received a certificate in Markets and Management. While at Duke, Giuseppe was a four year Letterwinner and Captain of the Duke University Football Team. During the summer of 2008, Giuseppe was employed as a summer associate for the law firm of Mendes & Mount, LLP in New York City.
Melissa Grier ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor of Articles (2008 - 2009)Melissa graduated cum laude from Boston University with a MA in Political Science and a B.A. in Political Science and History. Prior to entering law school, Melissa worked as a paralegal in a small matrimonial law firm and then as a case manager at a homeless shelter. At Hofstra, Melissa has been active with the Public Justice Foundation, which raises interest and money for students working in the public interest sector. In the summer of 2007, Melissa interned at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, District Court Bureau. This past summer, she interned at the US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York in the civil division.
Erin Murtha ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor of Articles (2008-2009)Erin graduated from the College of William & Mary with a BA in English. During the summers of her undergraduate education, Erin taught at Cushing Academy’s international summer session in Ashburnham, MA. Before coming to law school, she worked for five years in the litigation department of Davis Polk & Wardwell in Manhattan, first as a legal assistant and then as a document analyst. While there, Erin participated in various pro bono activities including work with the Domestic Violence Law and Advocacy Project. This past summer, Erin interned with the Hon. Joseph Covello, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department.
Simeon Stamm ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor of Articles (2008-2009)Simeon graduated from Rutgers University in 2006 with a bachelor of arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. He spent two summers interning at the Nassau County District Attorney's office in the Treatment and Community Court. During the summer of 2007, he interned at the law firm of Miller and Milone, P.C., which specializes in the field of Elder Law. At Hofstra, he has served as a class representative for the Student Bar Association.
Zandra D’ Ambrosio ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor of Notes & Comments (2008-2009)Zandra graduated magna cum laude with honors in Psychology, and a minor in Community Health from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. While in college, she received an Honors Award for her two senior theses, entitled "Effects of Self-Evaluation Maintenance Processes on Support Provision" and "Transgressor Attractiveness on Willingness to Forgive". From 2004 - 2005, she was a research assistant for Dr. Bruce Blaine, PhD, where she investigated the influence of health, weight, and recent weight loss on perceptions of weight controllability and prejudice against overweight people. Since 2006, Zandra has been a legal intern for Cynthia R. Litman, Esq. LLP., an entertainment attorney, where she works on the legal production of feature films and licensing of films for a monthly DVD membership club.
Jonathan Scher ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor of Notes & Comments (2008-2009)Jonathan Scher graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland in 2006 with a B.S. in finance. While studying there, he received a citation for his participation in the Environmental Scholars Program, which was a selective academic living-learning program aimed at educating students in various historical and current environmental areas. During the summer of 2007, Jonathan worked as a Summer Associate at Havkins, Rosenfeld, Ritzert & Varriale, LLP, where he attended depositions, drafted memoranda of law, and assisted with other various research and writing tasks. During previous summers, Jonathan worked at Merrick Woods Country Day School/Camp where he provided leadership and entertainment for young children. Jonathan plans to work in the M/A Transaction Tax group at Ernst & Young in September 2009. When he is not working or attending classes, Jonathan enjoys rooting for the Mets and Jets, as well as participating in softball leagues year-round.
Thomas Vu (Peer Reviews) ’09 (J.D.)
Articles Editor (2008-2009)Tom is a life-long resident of the Washington, D.C. metro area. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2004 with a BA in Foreign Affairs, with a particular concentration in the political systems of Western Europe. While in college, Tom was actively involved in a mentorship and tutoring program at a local middle school in Charlottesville, Virginia. Prior to law school, he worked as a commercial litigation paralegal at Goodwin Procter LLP, gaining exposure to such practice areas as commercial and securities transactions, maritime law, and toxic torts liability. This past summer Tom had the opportunity to work as a law clerk at Perez, Furey & Varvaro, working on a wide range of matters involving insureds of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
Tara McCarthy (Page Proofs) ’09 (J.D.)
Articles Editor (2008-2009)Tara graduated from Hamilton College with Honors in English and a minor in Government. Her undergraduate thesis argued that Jack Kerouac was a New Journalist. During college, Tara was an interviewer in the Hamilton admissions office, interviewing prospective students and sitting in on the admissions selection process. After her first year of law school, Tara worked as a summer associate at Milberg Weiss LLP in Manhattan. Tara is from Ridgefield, Connecticut but currently lives in Manhasset, NY.
Allison Henig ’09 (J.D.)
Research Editor (2008-2009)Allison graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Cortland with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in political science. This past summer she worked as a law clerk in a Family Law firm on Long Island. She has always been interested in pursuing a career in family law and is excited to join the FCR team.
Emily Madden ’09 (J.D.)
Research Editor (2008-2009)Emily Madden graduated from the Catholic University of America in 2003 with a B.A. in politics and a minor in philosophy. While at Catholic University, Emily interned with the Children's Defense Fund and participated in community service at a local infant and maternity home. After graduation, Emily moved to Houston, Texas, to spend a year volunteering as a licensed foster parent at Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos. After one year, Emily returned to Washington, D.C., to work for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Emily is currently a Child and Family Advocacy Fellow. During the summer of 2006, Emily interned with Magistrate Judge Carol Dalton at Washington, D.C.'s Superior Court, researching cases of child abuse and neglect.
Brittany Shrader ’09 (J.D.)
Research Editor (2008-2009)Brittany graduated from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a dual B.A. degree in Financial Economics and East Asian Studies and a minor in Religion. While in college she was the captain of her school's Mock Trial Team. She also studied in Oxford, England and Shanghai, China, and interned at the US-Asia Institute in Washington, D.C. This past summer of 2007, Brittany interned at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, International Division, in Alexandria, Virginia where she worked on international child abduction cases. Brittany is also a member of Hofstra's Moot Court Association and works as a research assistant to Professor Andrew Schepard, the Reporter to that National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws on the Uniform Collaborative Law Act.
Joshua Rieger ’09 (J.D.)
Communications Editor (2008-2009)Joshua graduated cum laude from Binghamton University with a bachelor of arts in history. During the summer of his junior year he interned for Special Referee Lawrence Schaefer at the State Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County. While there, Joshua assisted in the County's development of the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. Prior to enrollment at Hofstra, Joshua worked a year as a paralegal at the law firm Storch, Amini, Munves, P.C. in New York, New York. This past summer he interned for Justice William LaMarca at the State Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County. He also spent part of the summer abroad in Nice, France, where he studied International Business Transactions and International Human Rights. In fall 2007 Joshua interned for Justice Joseph Covello of the Appellate Division, Second Department. During the summer of 2008 Joshua was employed as a summer associate by the firm Storch, Amini, Munves, P.C. Additionally, Joshua has worked as a research assistant to Professor Andrew Schepard, the Reporter to that National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws on the Uniform Collaborative Law Act.
Pearl Levy ’09 (J.D.)
Resource Editor (2008-2009)Pearl Levy graduated from New York University with her B.S. in 2003. After completing her first year of law school, Pearl worked at Zhang & Associates, an immigration law firm in Manhattan. She is currently working part-time at a personal injury law firm in Carle Place, and is very excited to be a part of this journal experience.
Lauren Turner ’09 (J.D.)
Book Review Editor (2008-2009)Lauren graduated cum laude from the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Before attending law school Lauren was a dance instructor, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and exemplary waitress. As a 2007 Charles Revson Law Student Public Interest Fellow, Lauren spent the summer of 2007 advocating for commercially sexually exploited youth in New York City.
Christopher Renke ’09 (J.D.)
Business Administrator (2008-2009)Chris received his B.S.B.A with a concentration in law from Boston University 's School of Management in 2006. During college, he was involved in the Pre-Law Society, Accounting Association, and BSBA Finance and Investment Club. In 2005, he was a summer clerk for a New York State Supreme Court Judge in Nassau County . After graduating, he worked for Smith Barney until beginning law school in the fall of 2006. In 2006, Chris founded The H.O.P.E.S. Foundation, a non-profit public charity that raises money and awareness in support of curing pediatric cancer. In 2007, he was a law clerk for a commercial litigation firm on Long Island . Upon receiving his Juris Doctor, Chris would like to combine his interests in business and law.
Richard Facundo ’09 (J.D.)
Managing Editor of the New York State Office of Court Administration Matrimonial Newsletter (2008-2009)Richard graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Queens College, completing a double major in Political Science and History. During his first year at Hofstra Law School, Richard was a recipient of the 2007 Association of the Bar of the City of New York Diversity Fellowship where he earned a position working as a Summer Associate at King & Spalding LLP. In the summer of 2008 he worked for Shearman & Sterling LLP. This fall, Richard will be studying at the University of Ghent Faculty of Law where he will be taking courses primarily dealing with comparative law.
Caitlyn Slovacek ’09 (J.D.)
AFCC Cooperation Manager (2008-2009)Caitlyn graduated cum laude from Skidmore College with a dual major in Economics and Spanish and minor in Dance. During college, she was involved in various volunteer activities, including working with youth and elder communities in the Saratoga area. In the summers during undergraduate, she interned at the Intellectual Property Office at Children’s Hospital Boston. This past summer she interned for Masferrer & Associates, a criminal defense and immigration firm.
Shana Barone ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Shana Barone graduated from the SUNY College at Fredonia Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Musical Theatre. She relocated to Manhattan in 2001, and has been performing in NYC, regionally, and nationally for six years. Shana's interest in children and families stems from a music program for toddlers that she has been teaching for three years, and her interest in law comes from her father, an attorney and judge in Buffalo, NY. In 2007, she worked as a legal assistant for a private attorney in Manhattan, and last summer she interned at Safe Horizon's Brooklyn Mediation Center. Shana plans to pursue a career in Family Law, and hopes to be part of the reform movement to encourage Alternate Dispute Resolution in Divorce and Child Custody.
Melissa Broyles ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Melissa graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts in Financial Economics and a minor in Sociology from Moravian College and Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. During college, she was involved with the Pre-Law Club and Omicron Delta Epsilon. After completing her first year of law school, Melissa interned at The Swaby Law Firm, LLC.
Jess Cygler ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Jessica graduated cum laude from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania with a dual B.A. degree in English Literature and American History. While at Lafayette, Jessica worked as a research assistant under historian Donald L. Miller. Her work included editing and compiling the endnotes on two World War Two narratives, one following the American 8th Force in the European Theater of combat, and the other following each of the D-days in the Pacific Theater. At Hofstra, Jessica is the Secretary of the Student Bar Association, and a member of Hofstra Law Women and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. During the summer of 2008, Jessica worked as a Law Clerk at Jeffrey Schecter & Associates, a matrimonial law firm, where she performed research, drafted a motion, and assisted with trial preparation.
Meghan Dawkins ’10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Meghan Dawkins graduated from Stony Brook University with a bachelor of science in Health Science and Sociology. During her first year of law school she enjoyed working with the Unemployment Action Center and Courtroom Advocate Project. During the summer of 2008 she worked at the Medicare Rights Center in Manhattan. This semester she is externing at the Nassau County Family Courts and looks forward to her work with this journal.
Erin Dunn ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Erin Dunn graduated from the University of Florida in 2007 with a B.S. in Accounting. While in college she was chosen to be a University Scholar through which she received a stipend to write a thesis entitled "The Perceived Cost-Benefit Relationship of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act". At Hofstra, Erin is the president of the Tax Law Society and a member of Hofstra Law Women. Since the summer of 2008, Erin has interned with Judge Ellen Greenberg at Nassau County Family Court where she conducts legal research on family law issues related to child support, juvenile delinquents, abuse, and neglect. After law school, she would like to pursue a career that will combine her interests in accounting and law.
Christina Gaudio ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Christina Gaudio graduated from The University of Michigan in 2005 with a B.A. in sociology. While in college, Christina volunteered heavily in the Detroit Public School system. Upon graduation she worked for AmeriCorps developing an after school program which focused on mathematics and social justice issues for middle school students in southwest Detroit. Upon completion of her AmeriCorps service, Christina worked for a year as a bi-lingual children’s counselor at a domestic violence agency in Westchester New York. At Hofstra, Christina is currently the Vice President of Latino/a Law Students Association and Public Justice Foundation and is a center associate for the Center of Family, Children and the Law. This past summer she was interning at Lawyers for Children, assisting in the representation of youth in foster care. After law school she hopes to work in the area of child advocacy.
Evan Hess ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Evan graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Religion, with Honors (cum laude), and a B.A. in Political Science (cum laude). As an undergraduate, Evan completed an honors thesis on American Jewish traditions in addition to authoring a thesis as a Research Fellow for the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics on corporate environmentalism and public policy. A Child and Family Advocacy Fellow, Evan has engaged himself in a range of community service while in law school, including a tenure as an Advocate for the Unemployment Action Center, where he earned recognition as Advocate of the Year. Evan has clerked for the Los Angeles County Public Defender, the Ventura County District Attorney and, more recently, the Honorable Joseph F. Bianco, United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of New York.
Krystle Jordan ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Krystle graduated cum laude/Phi Beta Kappa from Hofstra University with a B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing. While in law school, Krystle interned for Leslie Martin, Esq. and the Honorable Judge Zimmerman of Nassau County Supreme Court. Krystle is currently serving on Hofstra’s Mediation Clinic, which provides mediation services for children and families participating in a pre-court PINS diversion program in Nassau County. Having always had an interest in Family Law, she is very excited to join the FCR team.
Rebecca Moulton ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Rebecca graduated cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with a B.A. in Sociology. While at Holy Cross, Rebecca served as a program director for a student run community service program where she helped run the Abby’s House Women’s Shelter in Worcester. This past summer, Rebecca interned with Judge Engel in the Civil Division of the Nassau County District Court.
Randi O'Donnell ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Randi O'Donnell graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in English. She also holds a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University. At Hofstra, Randi is a Child and Family Advocacy Fellow. Prior to receiving her Master's degree, Randi worked as a paralegal advocating for welfare recipients and people in danger of eviction in Spanish Harlem, and as a counselor for a domestic violence hotline in Brooklyn. She also worked as an assistant family teacher in a group home for adolescent boys in Hawaii. Before she returned to law school, Randi was a social worker for the Legal Aid Society's Juvenile Rights Division, and worked with children and teenagers in foster care. She spent last summer interning at the Center for Family Representation in Manhattan.
Philip Rydz ‘10( J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Philip Rydz grew up in North Miami Beach, FL and graduated from the University of Florida in May of 2006 with a B.S. in Finance. During his junior year, Phil was able to study abroad in Seville, Spain for 4 months and traveled extensively through Europe during his time there. Before coming to Hofstra, Phil worked as a construction superintendent for Pulte Homes, a bartender, and a inventory manager for a fire extinguisher company in Miami. At Hofstra, Phil has been a part of Latino Law Student Association (LaLSA) and was elected as a 2L representative in SBA. During his first summer Phil interned for the Honorable Tammy Robbins in the Nassau County Courthouse. While there, Phil researched several topics for decisions such as 4th amendment search and seizures, gang assault, aiding and abetting, and several other issues.
Stephanie Sherry ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Stephanie received her B.A in Liberal Studies with concentrations in Mass Communications and Behavioral and Social Sciences from the University of Central Florida in 2006. She received honors recognition for her thesis, entitled Hitler’s Racial Ideology: the Ideas Behind the Holocaust. This past summer, Stephanie worked at Legal Services of Greater Miami in the Women Prisoner Reentry Program. She helped Women Prisoners with civil legal matters before their release from prison. Upon receiving her Juris Doctor, Stephanie would like to combine her interests in sports and law.
Jenna Suppon ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Jenna Suppon graduated suma cum laude from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor of arts in both political science and history. During the summer of 2008 she worked for Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, where she worked primarily with medical malpractice cases. At Hofstra she is the Treasurer for the Italian Law Student Association (ILSA).
Ryan Sweeney ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Ryan is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts who graduated from Boston College High School ('98) and Boston College ('02). He worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for four years before deciding to attend law school. Most recently, Ryan interned in the Juvenile Unit of the Suffolk County (Boston) District Attorney's Office. Prior to that, he interned with the Family Court Bureau of the Nassau County Attorney's Office, and was a Charles Revson Law Student Public Interest Fellow with the Mental Hygiene Legal Service. Aside from his legal interests, Ryan enjoys watching the Red Sox beat the Yankees.
Mike Terzuoli ‘10 (J.D.)
Staff Editor (2008-2009)Mike graduated from Binghamton University in 2007 with a B.A. in Psychology. During his four year tenure, he participated in various extracurricular activities, including being an active member in his fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi. He helped organize a variety of community events, most notably an event which raised money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2006. He also participated in softball, basketball, and flag football intramurals while at Binghamton, three activities which he attempts to pursue in his free time at Hofstra. He has worked in Long Island for a small personal injury firm, and most recently worked as an intern on the upcoming Fox television show "Fringe". While very interested in the field of Family Law, Mike hopes to one day work in the entertainment industry in some capacity.