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Senior Associate Dean for Career Services

B.A., Hofstra University
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law

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(516) 463-5861

Biography

Christopher J. Caruso joined the law school’s administration in 2013. Chris is a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.A. Economics). Prior to his return to Hofstra, Dean Caruso practiced in the area of commercial bankruptcy. Most recently, he was a partner in the Business Reorganization, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights and Corporate Trust practice groups of Moses & Singer LLP in New York City. He began his legal career in the New York office of Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP.

Since graduating Hofstra Law, Dean Caruso has remained actively involved with Hofstra Law and Hofstra University. From 2008 through 2013, he served as President of Hofstra Law’s alumni association and was active in restructuring the alumni board and establishing committees for alumni to work directly with different departments, including the Office of Career Services. Dean Caruso also served as Chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

As a student at Hofstra Law, Dean Caruso was the Managing Editor of Articles for the Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal, a participant in moot court and the recipient of the Distinguished Service to the School award.

Director of Career and Professional Development

B.A., Syracuse University
M.S., Syracuse University

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(516) 463-7315

Biography

Jaime Grillo holds a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Masters of Science in Student Affairs Counseling from Syracuse University. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in the Instructional Leadership in Higher Education program at St. John’s University. Jaime’s research focus is on experiential learning opportunities for students and the impact on students’ motivation levels, retention and post-graduation outcomes. Jaime comes to the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University with over 15 years’ experience working in higher education. Most recently, Jaime served as the Director of Advising & Internships in Career Services at St. John's University where she oversaw a team of six professionals and her primary focus was on student engagement. Prior to St. John’s, Jaime worked at Syracuse University in a variety of roles, most recently, as an Internship Coordinator where she managed a 12-credit Internship and Capstone program. Jaime currently serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the College of Professional Studies at St. John’s University where she instructs Business Writing and Public Speaking. She has also coached at the Division I level and worked in the non-profit industry.

Senior Director of Career Services and Diversity Initiatives

B.A., Princeton University
J.D., UCLA School of Law

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(516) 463-5387

Biography

Mickheila Jasmin-Beamon joined the Office of Career Services in July 2021. Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon is a workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant with a personal passion for helping diverse students shape their professional paths with fulfilling employment opportunities. Additionally, Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon works closely with student organizations and professional affinity groups to develop employment opportunities and manage Hofstra Law’s participation in diversity initiatives. Prior to joining the Office of Career Services, Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon served as owner and Chief Executive Officer of Citadelle Consulting LLC, an equitable workplace consulting firm. As an Associate Court Attorney for the New York State Unified Court System, she was assigned to one of the country’s first problem solving courts and volunteered for the Rockaway Community Justice Center as a panelist and legal advisor.

Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon received a B.A. in Psychology from Princeton University along with certificates in African American Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon went on to receive her Critical Race Studies J.D. Specialization from UCLA School of Law. In addition to studying the intersectionality of civil rights law, she has extensive experience in employment litigation. Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon also investigated complaints of unlawful discriminatory practices and prosecuted cases on behalf of the Sexual/Gender-Based Harassment Unit of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Mrs. Jasmin-Beamon also served as Assistant General Counsel for the City of New York Department of Correction and as an associate focusing on civil rights, fair housing, employment discrimination, voting rights, police misconduct, wrongful death and criminal law. 

Senior Assistant Dean for Career Development and Employer Relations

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(516) 463-7053

Biography

Daphne E. Telfeyan joined the Office of Career Services in January 2013 in what was then a newly created employer outreach role. Dean Telfeyan completed her undergraduate studies at Barnard College and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1983. She practiced law from 1983 to 1997, starting her career as a litigation associate with Breed Abbott & Morgan (which ultimately merged into Winston & Strawn). She transitioned into the practice of immigration law and spent the latter part of her legal career first as an associate and then as a partner with Pavia & Harcourt, where she ran the firm’s immigration practice. After leaving the practice of law, she enjoyed 14 years as a legal recruitment professional, specializing in the lateral partner market. Dean Telfeyan spent close to 12 years with Sivin Tobin Associates, and later founded and served as principal of Phoenix Search Solutions.

Director of Career and Professional Development

B.A., University of South Florida
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law

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(516) 463-5862

Biography

Kristen A. Clodfelter joins OCS as a Director of Career and Professional Development. Kristen is a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Kristen has over twenty years of criminal and civil legal experience that includes three years as an Assistant District Attorney, sixteen years private practice criminal defense, over ten years with a Nassau County agency plus three years as General Counsel. She currently sits as Acting Village Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Bay Park. Prior to attending Hofstra Law, she earned her B.A. from the University of South Florida.

As a student at Hofstra Law, Kristen was a participant in the Child Advocacy Clinic, Moot Court; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, ATLA Trial competition, NTC trial competition, and a recipient of a faculty scholarship award. Since graduating, she has returned to assist students and practicing attorneys in the National Institute of Trial Attorney’s Trial Techniques seminar at Hofstra Law.

Director of Career and Professional Development

B.A., Binghamton University
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

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(516) 463-7036

Biography

Carin Grassini joins the Office of Career Services as a Director of Career and Professional Development. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and Rhetoric from the State University of New York at Binghamton and her Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Carin has been practicing law for over twenty years and has experience in both the public and private sectors.

After law school, Carin worked at the Administration for Children’s Services in New York City. Following that, she worked at various law firms in private practice. The majority of her private sector experience was in the field of insurance defense. Carin also did some work in matrimonial law, plaintiff’s personal injury, real estate, and foreclosure. Later, she returned to the public sector. Carin worked for Nassau County doing referee work, and then worked as a prosecutor for both Suffolk and Nassau Counties.

During law school, Carin was an Editor for the Moot Court Honor Society and worked as a Student Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Director of Career Services and Diversity Initiatives

B.S., City University of New York – John Jay College of Criminal Justice
M.A., Notre Dame of Maryland University
J.D., The University of Michigan Law School

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(516) 463-5387

Biography

Latoya Felton joined the Office of Career Services as the Director of Career Services and Diversity Initiatives. She holds a Juris Doctor from The University of Michigan Law School, a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the City University of New York - John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

During law school, Ms. Felton was a leader among diverse students, having served as co-president of the Black Law Students Association and an executive editor of the Michigan Journal of Race & Law. Ms. Felton was also a student attorney in the Veterans Legal Clinic and the Juvenile Justice Clinic.

After graduating from Michigan Law, Ms. Felton began her legal career in The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. There, she managed misdemeanor and felony cases involving narcotics, larceny, fraud, assault, and weapons charges and gained significant courtroom experience. Ms. Felton left the District Attorney’s Office and worked in private practice, handling cases ranging from complex commercial litigation to insurance defense.

Prior to law school, Ms. Felton was an elementary school teacher in Baltimore, through Teach For America, and continued teaching in Houston. She excitedly brings the wealth of knowledge and skills gained through both of her careers to the Office of Career Services.

Director of Public Service and JD Advantage Career Planning

B.A., Hamilton College
J.D., Brooklyn Law School

Send an Email
(516) 463-5385

Biography

Margaret (Peggy) Garte, Director of Public Service and JD Advantage Career Planning, is here to assist with internships and jobs in the public sector including non-profit organizations, government, and judicial placements. Peggy joined Hofstra Law in 2021.

Peggy holds a BA in geology and dance from Hamilton College and a JD from Brooklyn Law School. As a law student, she interned at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and served as a legislative intern for the New York City Council. After several years in practice, she returned to work in academia and spent fifteen years in various law school administration roles at Brooklyn Law School and St. John’s University School of Law. She has also served as a volunteer pre-law advisor for students at Hamilton College for over ten years.

Peggy can help you craft an effective public interest cover letter, discuss the wide range of public service employers and opportunities, and help you devise a path to achieve your goals in the public sector. She also plans and executes public service-oriented programming throughout the year and works closely with student groups such as PJF. You can make an appointment with Peggy on Symplicity.