Laroche '10 Lands Jobs with Top Firm, Federal Clerkship

Matthew Laroche '10 nearly opted to pursue a doctorate in criminology before deciding to come to Albany Law. Now, with one semester remaining before his graduation, he has already accepted a job at the New York City headquarters of the international law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, as well as a clerkship with Judge Richard Wesley of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

"Ultimately, I made the last minute choice that I'd have a more diverse range of opportunities with a law degree," he said. "Besides, I can always go back for that doctorate."

Laroche, a Queensbury, N.Y., native, worked as a summer associate for Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy before starting his third year at Albany Law. At the end of the summer, the firm offered him a full-time position when he graduated from law school.

Laroche is especially looking forward to being involved with litigation when he settles into his new position. "I've always wanted to be in the courtroom," he said.

But he won't be settled for too long at Milbank, as he will be taking leave in August 2011 for one year to clerk for Judge Wesley, who maintains offices in Geneseo, N.Y., and New York City. Each year, Judge Wesley selects four clerks from law schools around the country. Laroche will return to his firm after the clerkship in August 2012.

Milbank, which has been operating for 140 years, focuses on complex corporate transactions and litigation. In addition to its New York headquarters, the firm also has offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, DC.

Laroche's affinity for litigation served him well while participating in moot court competitions as a second-year law student. Last spring, he and his partner Pete Mancuso '10 won the John J. Gibbons National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition. Laroche was named both best preliminary and final round orator. This year, however, he dedicates much of his non-class time to the Albany Law Review, where he is the Editor-in-Chief. Laroche is also a teaching assistant for Professor Deutsch's contracts class.

Considering his time at Albany Law, Laroche said, "I appreciate all of the help I've received over the past two years, both from faculty members and alumni. I simply would not have the opportunities I have today if it wasn't for the support of the Albany Law School community." 

Before coming to law school, he earned bachelor and master's degrees in criminal justice from the University at Albany.