Dazzo '23 Combines Family, Health Law Passions to Support Others

For Albany Law School’s Emily Dazzo ’23 the City of Albany is a place of academic, professional, and personal growth.

She landed in the Capital Region from her home on Long Island to attend University at Albany for her Bachelor’s Degree. About halfway through, she began thinking about what to do next. Resources and mentors at UAlbany suggested law school.

“At first, I was very unfamiliar. I've lived on Long Island my whole life. So, coming up 4 hours north has really helped me be my own person. I toured Albany Law School, right before the pandemic, I was blown away. I remember thinking that I could really picture myself there. I was preparing to take the LSAT and the pandemic hit,” she said. “It was challenging, but I have always been astonished by the amount of friendliness here, right when I walked in the door for a tour. The faculty, the Deans, everyone was very welcoming and informative. And that really helped me, make my decision that I should stay in this area for the rest of my academic career.”

Dazzo was always interested in the law. When her parents divorced while she and her siblings were young, she saw how lawyers helps clients, especially families.

“I wanted to bring [my experience] and help other people who are facing difficult circumstance. Having an attorney that’s compassionate and a human being is helpful to families and children and it really goes a long way. To have a dream to be that person for someone else and to now doing it is awesome,” she said.

In the Family Violence Litigation Clinic within the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law School, Dazzo worked under a student practice order with faculty supervision and guided families through family court proceedings.

“I was granted the opportunity to help families navigate difficult situations happening in their lives. That internship allowed me to understand the importance of acting as a voice for minors in family proceedings and that helping to turn negatives into positives are truly the most rewarding part of becoming a lawyer,” she said.

She is also interested in medical malpractice and after graduation in December 2023, she will be working at a medical malpractice and personal injury firm. She considered a career in medicine, but saw the health law field could combine the two passions. Plus, she is on her way with a newly published piece in the New York State Bar Association’s Health Law Journal titled, “Intersex Infants & Unjustified Surgical Intervention.”

Joining a bar association as a student was a great way to get start networking, accessing publications and scholarship, and attending seminars and other events, Dazzo said.

“Once you join a committee or a section, they have dinners and events where you can learn about recent news in the field and updates. There are also so many journals so you can read through and many new publications about different areas of the law. And these are things that are really some of the most pressing issues,” she said. “I thought I had to wait to join until I was an attorney, but I am glad I joined now and it really allows you to make some great connections.”

Dazzo was recently featured in the Law Student Spotlight section for the NYSBA.