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Alumni
Pride and Purpose: Sav Ackerman ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½25
Sav Ackerman ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½25 has always had a strong work ethic. Born into an abusive and impoverished upbringing, both of SavΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½s parents passed away by the time Sav was 15 years old. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½There were many hard days growing up,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ shared Sav. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Prior to passing away, my mother was a single parent and worked full-time while going to school for nursing. I started working to support myself from the time I was 15 and continued to work throughout law school.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
It was the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½'s FLEX JD Scheduling Option that attracted Sav the most. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½The FLEX JD program fit my schedule perfectly,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ said Sav. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½It allowed me to continue working without overwhelming my already busy schedule while also providing me with the ideal amount of academic intensity I needed.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Once they started at Pace Haub Law, Sav found the Law School atmosphere extremely communal in nature. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Everyone wants one another to succeed. The connections I made ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ professors, fellow students, administrators ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ all allowed me to deepen my understanding of the law and how to be a successful advocate.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
Sav recalls Adjunct Professor Stefen Short as one of the most remarkable individuals they met while studying at the Law School. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Professor Short introduced the topic of incarcerated peoples' rights to me as a student after my summer of working at The Legal Aid Society of Westchester, and illuminated a field of lawyering I didn't know was reachable,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ shared Sav. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½He inspired me with a different way of thinking when approaching advocacy that I will never forget.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
While Sav was at Pace Haub Law, they were the FLEX Representative for Lambda Law Students. They launched the innovative and impactful Name Change Clinic at Cubbyhole Bar in New York City. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½This initiative was very important to me,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ shared Sav. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½I, along with other Pace Haub Law Lambda Law Students, handed out paperwork and information to allow individuals to change their legal name in New York State. Being able to see this initiative become a reality and take it into New York City at a landmark LGBTQ+ space, like Cubbyhole, was amazing.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ While Sav was a law student, they also co-founded the LAMBDA LGBTQIA+ Judge Mentorship Program, where LGBTQIA+ judges across the state of New York assist in mentoring law students at the Law School.
Today, Sav is studying for the bar exam and working as a law graduate with The Legal Aid Society of New York City. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½I hope to continue to learn and expand my advocacy for minority communities and indigent clients so that their voices may be heard,ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ said Sav.
In their spare time, Sav pursues music as an outlet. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½I am a musician and continue to play guitar, drums, and piano. I love creating lyrics and music that allows me to feel!ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ As far as words of advice, Sav encourages current and future law students to remember why you started your law school journey, but to also open your arms to changing and learning within the field. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Don't be afraid to evolve and never give up.ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½
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