Annual Giving Program: Profiles

Chad Holloway (’06)

Associate
Dunn, Toole & Carter, LLP
The Dalles, OR

I made my first gift to the Annual Giving Program because I was grateful for the opportunity NESL afforded me and I now I want to help give others that same opportunity. I would ask graduates to remember their experience at NESL and what it did to provide them with the tools necessary to hit the ground running in their career. Giving to the AGP is one way to give that opportunity to the next generation of NESL students.

On NESL Faculty: It would be tough to name just one professor from the many that I had. When I’m faced with a contracts question, Professor Ansah springs to mind. Whenever I hear anything about stem cell research law, Professor Chester is there. Professor Monserud is my education law guide. When I’m in court and the issue of hearsay comes up, it’s Professor Siegel’s voice I hear. When I’m dealing with a negligence case, I remember Professor Plumeri. I even have a quote on my desk that Professor Dargo used to say: “A law­yer’s job is to make clear things ambiguous, and the ambigu­ous clear.” I could go on, but the fact is, every professor had a positive impact on my career and I am thankful for that.

NESL is a special place because the people involved from staff to professors care about what they are doing. It is a great place to get a practical education and make connections with practicing attorneys while still in law school. You are connected to those who came before you and those who come after you. You are part of that.

NESL will be 100 in 2008. What is your birthday wish for NESL?
My wish is that 100 years from now, NESL will be training and producing students of the law who are well versed in the rule of law. That NESL continues to be a place where graduates enter the work force well trained and are able to be effective from the first day of their careers.

Antoinette Leoney (’84)

Assistant US Attorney,
US Attorney's Office
Boston, MA

Having grown up in a relatively poor family following the death of my father, I learned early on about the meaning and necessity of the “gift of giving,” because my family and I were very often on the receiving end of those gifts. NESL took a chance on me and supported my legal education through scholarships made possible by the gifts of the alumni/ae of the law school. But for these gifts, I might not be where I am today…a successful lawyer now in the position to help others by giving back financially to the law school that so supported me when I needed it the most.

Where you are today is a reflection of where you have been. The superb education at NESL is how we got here. Don’t forget to look back, reach back, and give back.  By giving to the AGP, you are investing in the future of NESL and the future of the law profession.

When I came to NESL, I was a single mother. Life was difficult. I would love to know that part of my gift helps support others who come to NESL from similar backgrounds. I am a “late bloomer,” single parent, woman of color, and first generation in my family to go to college. Gifts to the AGP help give access to those who, but for the assistance that NESL provides, might not make it to or through law school.

On NESL Faculty: Professor Mary Joe Frug and former Dean Kenneth Evans saw that I was struggling and refused to give up on me. At one point, I was working three jobs and often wondered where the milk money was going to come from. They gave me their shoulders to cry on, and, when I had finished crying, said, “Now it’s time to get back to work.” But for them, I am certain that I would not be where I am today. I also remember fondly Professor Spahn whose encouragement and feistiness continue to this day!

NESL is staffed with highly skilled, renowned and nationally and internationally published professors and offers the most up-to-date and cutting-edge law school educations. The professors, administration, and staff understand the importance of mentoring and supporting their students through not only the law school experience, but also during preparations for the bar exam.

NESL will be 100 in 2008. What is your birthday wish for NESL?
My wish for NESL is that every single alumnus will make a gift to the AGP in honor of NESL’s 100 years of training students of the law.  I encourage you all to do so. Happy 100th birthday NESL!