Pace Clinic Director Jill Gross reviews investor cases with 5 law students
(Courtesy of Pace Securities Arbitration Clinic )
During the summer and fall of 2022, former law students who had interned at their law school’s securities arbitration clinic were polled for reflections on their clinic experience. Below are the verbatim responses we received interspersed between photos taken between 2013 and 2018 that were donated by various clinics.
“I felt the difficulties my clinical clients faced in seeking recourse against financial institutions, and learned to care about individual investors. It remains with me today, more than two decades since I graduated from the law school. Although I have been in global financial sector with large wholesale clients, I think about individual investors down the layers and potential impact upon them when advising or making decisions.”
“The investor rights clinic has provided me with practical skills that bridge the gap between learning in the classroom and the practice of law. During my time spent at the clinic, I have grown more confident in preparing opening and closing statements, witness examinations, and the presentation of evidence. Additionally, the clinic has provided insight into the importance of communication skills with clients and the impact group dynamics have on legal outcomes.”
“I went to Haub Law because of the Securities Arbitration Clinic because I wanted to represent investors when harmed by a broker or firm. Barbara Black and Jill Gross provided guidance, but the students handled all aspects of the case. I was able to represent investors as a solo attorney one year after graduating. Barbara and Jill, thank you!”
“As a clinic student, I was afforded the opportunity to be co-chair of a securities arbitration. Our elderly client had his retirement account churned into nonexistence. I am glad to say, that after much effort, we were able to recover those lost funds. Not only was this great practical experience, but the result and my client’s gratitude stuck with me. I am also happy to say that I am now a plaintiffs attorney at one of Atlanta’s best PI firms and continuing to assist those in need.”
“Professor Germaine was instrumental in making my clinical experience very worthwhile in that I developed many legal skills that I have carried with me throughout my career and in my current position at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.”
“My experience provided me my first opportunity to represent clients which I greatly appreciated once I started practicing. Clinic gave me the chance to make decisions about my cases, discuss strategy with my classmates, and evaluate the merits of a potential client's claims. These opportunities mirrored what I experienced during my first year of practice. I'm glad I got the chance to develop the skills before leaving school.”
“The clinic experience was an outstanding opportunity, while still in law school to represent real clients and evaluate cases. It was incredible getting the opportunity to represent those that would not be able to afford representation. The clinic also taught you how to handle the difficulties when having to turn down a case and having to explain that there was no claim. The clinic was an invaluable introduction into the practice of law, the good and sometimes disappointing.”
“The Pace Investor Rights Clinic had the greatest impact on my career as an attorney. It allowed me to use my experience in financial services and to combine that with legal knowledge of securities law, contract law, and mediation and arbitration. Most importantly, working through actual cases, with such talented attorneys as Barbara Black and Jill Gross taught me how to serve as legal counsel to a client. The clinic opened up so many new career opportunities that I otherwise would not have had.”
My clinical experience was my first exposure to clients in need of legal assistance. It provided a real understanding of how the law can help people in a way that textbooks cannot.”
Being a member of the Securities Arbitration Clinic was the most meaningful and fruitful endeavor I undertook in law school. Not only did I learn substantive matters of law but I also learned practical skills needed in the practice of law that helped me to hit the ground running when I began to practice.”
“Clinical experience was helpful for a law student like me who worked full time and went law school part time at evening. Summer internship with law firm was not an option, and the clinic provided an alternative way to gain valuable practical experience facing clients and confidence as an attorney under thoughtful supervision of Professor Barbara Black. Thank you.”
I have fond memories of attending the SEC law school clinic summit and hearing from professionals within and associated with the SEC about this area of law. My experience with the clinic was incredibly formative of my identity as a law student and young lawyer.”
I will always remember professor Iannarone. I cannot say thank you enough for her help, guidance, motivation, belief, and example of assisting all those around her. She is - without question - the pinnacle of what a great professors should strive for.”
We did a very memorable trip to the SEC headquarters in Washington DC in April 2019 that really was the culmination of all of our work throughout the year in the clinic.”
“Outside of the educational/professional benefits, clinic gave me the chance to develop relationships that will last throughout my professional career. Those relationships are so important to me on both a personal and professional level. Participating in clinic was the best decision I made while in school.”
“Professors Gross and Black were both integral in my early development as an advocate. Finding out that I had won the outstanding clinic student award for my year was my proudest law school achievement.”
“The commitment to the mission of the clinic by the professor and participants was inspiring.”
“I truly enjoyed our mock arbitration at the FINRA New York headquarters and the Investor Advocacy Clinic summit in Washington, DC. I also appreciated the opportunity to participate further by drafting comment letters on behalf of the clinic to new regulations. In the securities arbitration clinic, the blue sky is not even the limit (pun intended)!”
