Administration and Staff Directory

Office Manager/Paralegal, Law School Clinical Program

B.S., Empire State College
M.S., Hofstra University

Email
(516) 463-4734

Biography

Yvonne Atkinson has worked as the Office Manager/Paralegal for the Law School Clinical Program at Hofstra Law School since 1990. In this capacity, she has had the opportunity to work for a wide variety of clinical programs, serving a range of constituencies including criminal defense, housing rights and child advocacy. In addition to handling all administrative aspects of the programs, including overseeing the budget and staff, she also trains the law students in office operations and file management, and coordinates the work of faculty and students. In 1989, Ms. Atkinson received a Paralegal Certification from Long Island University.

Director, Administrative Services

Email
(516) 463-4306

Biography

Laura Lanzillotta joined Hofstra Law School in September 1995. During her past 22 years at Hofstra Law School, she held a position as Senior Support Specialist to the Dean and Vice Deans of the Law School. Previously she held a position as Executive Secretary to the Legal Writing Department and to the Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs. She now serves as Executive Assistant to the Dean, a member of the administration, providing support to the Dean of the Law School.

Executive Director, Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, Administrative Director of Foundational Lawyering Skills and Visiting Assistant Professor of Law

B.A., SUNY Buffalo
J.D., Hofstra University

Email
(516) 463-5872

Biography

Celia first joined the law school in February 2019 as Director of Career and Professional Development, and in May 2021 left the Office of Career Services to become the Executive Director of the law school's Paralegal Studies Certificate Program. In addition to her role in the Paralegal Program Celia is an adjunct professor, teaching Criminal Procedure and Foundational Lawyering Skills, as well as an instructor in the NITA program. Celia holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from SUNY College at Buffalo and a J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Prior to returning to Hofstra Law, Celia was a partner at a prominent New York City criminal defense firm, Gottlieb & Gordon, LLC, where she handled all aspects of criminal cases from inception to post-verdict motions. In her 18 years at the firm, she represented individuals charged in complex white-collar crimes involving securities fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, grand larceny, Medicaid fraud, criminal antitrust, tax fraud and RICO, in addition to those charged with serious felonies such as homicide, rape, kidnapping, arson and drug offenses. Celia has served as a legal commentator for FOX News and a guest lecturer at several law schools. An active alumna, Celia was the Orientation speaker for Hofstra Law in 2013, and has served on the Dean’s Advisory Board.

Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion

B.A., Duke University
PhD., University of Southern California

Email
(516) 463-4159

Biography

Tara-Marie Desruisseaux is the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law. With a deep commitment to cultivating inclusive environments, she is dedicated to implementing long-term plans and structures that foster a supportive community for all students, faculty, and staff. Tara-Marie joined the Law School in May 2023, after earning her PhD in Urban Education Policy from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining Hofstra Law, she served as the Recruiting and Diversity Coordinator at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where she actively promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives.