Albany Law Student, Two Alumni Named to Albany Business Review's 40 Under 40
One current Albany Law School student and two alumni were recently named to the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022.
The publication’s annual compilation highlights emerging leaders across the Capital Region’s numerous industries.
Jinah Ahn ’23 is a 2L student and owner of Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen, a Troy-based Korean restaurant focused on locally sourced meals as well as support services for immigrants and refugees. She pursed a law degree hoping to offer legal service at the restaurant as it continues to grow into a community hub.
Her classes are not her first experience with Albany Law School.
In 2017, she reached out to the Community Economic Development Clinic within The Justice Center at Albany Law School to establish a nonprofit arm of Sunhee’s. The designation allowed the business to expand services. During the pandemic, it has served as a crucial piece in keeping the business going because it allows them to apply for loans and grants, and accept donations. They currently offer free English lessons, a pantry package program, and collaborative community events.
Her time as a client was “seamless and natural” but her biggest takeaway was the human element of those who helped her get established. In August 2020, she was named one of the Albany Business Review's Women on the Rise for 2020.
Nico Caridi ’12, owner of Caridi Payne & Associates, focuses his practice on real estate transactions. In recent years, he launched PAC Abstract and Title Services LLC to perform title searches and reports in house. The title search step of the home buying and selling process is often lengthy and can create delays close to closing day.
His passion for real estate was sparked in law school, he said in a 2019 interview with Real Producers Magazine.
“I was given an internship with another prominent real estate firm while I was still in Law School. I developed an interest in developing relationships with industry-related professionals and building a “book of business” by cultivating those relationships and ensuring that every client I represented, was represented zealously,” he said in the interview.
Christopher Levy ’17, chief operating officer at Pursuit Lending, has worked at the business lender since 2012. Now as CEO, he shapes credit polices and procedures, manages underwriting, and loan reviews.
Recently, he oversaw the company’s administration of the Paycheck Protection Program, which resulted in over 7,000 loan approvals totaling $475 million to help small businesses during the height of the pandemic.
