Hofstra Law Student Paul Bromley ’09 Beats the Odds

Hofstra Law School, Hempstead, N.Y. —

Hofstra Law Student Paul Bromley has been dreaming of becoming a lawyer since he was a child growing up in Heathsville, Virginia, Population 5,000.  That dream will become a reality when Paul graduates with a law degree during Hofstra Law School’s commencement ceremony, set for Sunday, May 17, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

“The odds were against me,” said Paul, 25, whose mother Thelma Bromley worked around the clock to support Paul and his autistic brother Carrington.  “My mother did it all on her own.  She is my hero.  She took such good care of me and my brother.  She was very involved in our schoolwork and extracurricular activities, and kept us grounded by taking us to church, all while maintaining three jobs.”

Thelma’s hard work and commitment to excellence rubbed off on Paul, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and is now poised to become the first lawyer in his family.

“One thing I have learned is to never allow where you are from to determine your aptitude or your altitude!” said Paul, a past President of Hofstra’s Black Law Student Association (BLSA).

Earlier this year, Paul and his teammates on the Hofstra BLSA Mock Trial Team made the Final Four at the BLSA Northeast Regional Conference held in Springfield, Massachusetts.  The Team’s members include Paul, Diana Buchanan ’09, John Campo ‘11 and Daniel Watts ‘09.

The Hofstra team, coached by New York attorney Jean Wesh, beat out 36 competitors to land in the Final Four.  Hofstra defeated defending champion Massachusetts School of Law and eventually lost to Harvard Law School, the team that went on to take top honors.

For his success, Paul also credits Hofstra Law faculty and Dean Nora V. Demleitner.  “The Dean has a great vision for Hofstra Law School and she truly cares about student success.  Since she has taken the helm, I have seen many positive changes at Hofstra and I feel that these changes have added to my professional growth in a major way,” Paul said.