Hobbies and interests
Softball
Reading
Academic
Self-Help
I read books multiple times per week
Vanessa Rodriguez
815
Bold Points1x
FinalistVanessa Rodriguez
815
Bold Points1x
FinalistEducation
Albany Law School
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Law
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, Other
Minors:
- Criminology
- Law
Career
Dream career field:
Law Practice
Dream career goals:
Lawyer
Senior Paralegal
Chopra & Nocerino LLP2019 – Present5 yearsSenior Paralegal
Chopra & Nocerino LLP2019 – 20201 year
Sports
Softball
Varsity2010 – 20177 years
Softball
VarsityPresent
Research
Law
The New York Bar Foundation — Intern2022 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
Diversity in Law Scholarship
My decision to pursue law began throughout my undergraduate studies when I became passionate about Juvenile Justice. I sought solutions that had the possibility of being more effective and were tailored specifically for young offenders, like restorative justice. Through the completion of my research and assignments, I realized that these troubled young adults need someone who comprehends and appreciates the law, who can negotiate with their best interest in mind, and who can inform them of their rights. Most importantly, they need someone who would provide a considerate level of understanding of their stresses.
Throughout my undergraduate experience, I was a full-time Senior Sales Consultant at Paragon Motors. After I graduated, my position at Paragon Motors remained as I studied and retook the LSAT numerous times. Being the product of immigrant parents of low socioeconomic status, I do not get many opportunities to choose passion over financial security, but I was eager to learn and prepare myself for law school. I left my job at Paragon Motors and decided to take an entry-level Paralegal position in a personal injury firm. My job as a Paralegal consisted of mainly of reviewing and analyzing medical records and performing intakes for new clients. The founding attorneys were impressed with my abilities to learn the ropes quickly that within a short time I was promotion and was made Senior Paralegal.
Of all the experiences that led me to apply to law school, being a second mother to my Black stepson played the most significant role in my decision. Caring for my stepson and watching him grow amidst all of the racial tension in the United States galvanized me to do everything in my power to make a difference to end racial injustice in his lifetime. With a legal education, I know that I can protect him beyond the means that parenting alone can provide. I know that I will have the tools and skill set to tackle the forces of oppression and discrimination that he will face every day. My love for him and all of the other brown and black kids from my community will always be my number one priority, and I will always carry them with me.
My desire is to make an impact in this world through the field of law by helping to improve the child welfare and juvenile system. I strive to advocate and assist these young individuals to be the difference they need to better their circumstances..
Bold Bravery Scholarship
Being the product of immigrant parents of low socioeconomic status, I do not get many opportunities to choose passion over financial security, but I was eager to learn and prepare myself for law school. I left my job at Paragon Motors and took an entry-level Paralegal position in a personal injury firm. The founding attorneys were impressed with my abilities to learn the ropes quickly that within a short time I was promoted and was made Senior Paralegal.
Of all the experiences that led me to apply to law school, being a second mother to my Black stepson played the most significant role in my decision. Caring for my stepson and watching him grow amidst all of the racial tension in the United States galvanized me to do everything in my power to make a difference to end racial injustice in his lifetime. With a legal education, I know that I can protect him beyond the means that parenting alone can provide. I know that I will have the tools and skill set to tackle the forces of oppression and discrimination that he will face every day. My love for him and all of the other brown and black kids from my community will always be my number one priority, and I will always carry them with me.
My desire is to make an impact in this world through the field of law by helping to improve the child welfare and juvenile system. These young adults need someone who comprehends and appreciates the law, who can negotiate with their best interest in mind, and who can inform them of their rights. Most importantly, they need someone who would provide a considerate level of understanding of their stresses. I strive to advocate and assist youths to be the difference they need.
Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
My parents left everything in the Dominican Republic so they could start a family and give us America, the land of opportunity. Being the product of immigrant parents of low socioeconomic status, I do not get many opportunities to choose passion over financial security, but I was eager to learn and prepare myself for law school. I left my job at Paragon Motors and took an entry-level Paralegal position in a personal injury firm. My job as a Paralegal consisted of mainly of reviewing and analyzing medical records and performing intakes for new clients. The founding attorneys were impressed with my abilities to learn the ropes quickly that within a short time I was promotion and was made Senior Paralegal.
Of all the experiences that led me to apply to law school, being a second mother to my Black stepson played the most significant role in my decision. Caring for my stepson and watching him grow amidst all of the racial tension in the United States galvanized me to do everything in my power to make a difference to end racial injustice in his lifetime. With a legal education, I know that I can protect him beyond the means that parenting alone can provide. I know that I will have the tools and skill set to tackle the forces of oppression and discrimination that he will face every day. My love for him and all of the other brown and black kids from my community will always be my number one priority, and I will always carry them with me.
My desire is to make an impact in this world through the field of law by helping to improve the child welfare and juvenile system. These young adults need someone who comprehends and appreciates the law, who can negotiate with their best interest in mind, and who can inform them of their rights. Most importantly, they need someone who would provide a considerate level of understanding of their stresses.
My mentor, a recent graduate from Fordham University - School of Law, co-founded a non-profit “Defying Legal Gravity.” The focus of this organization is to educate underprivileged young individual with the intent that the law will no
longer be weaponized against them as it occurs in our society. Defying Legal Gravity aims to teach youths about the law and their entitled rights. I know I can accomplish my goals of advocating and assisting youths through this program and be the difference they need to better their circumstances.