For Jared Pellerin '16, the dream of becoming a lawyer since he was a kid is moving close to reality.

"I knew that I wanted to go to law school for as long as I can remember," said Pellerin. "As a child, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my response was not your typical astronaut or fireman, but rather, a lawyer. I think my desire to become a lawyer stemmed from stories of my Grandfather's work in the profession, as well as those of other family members. I admired them and wanted to emulate them from a very young age. Back then, I did not really know what it meant to be a lawyer, it wasn't until I was old enough to intern for the District Attorney's office in high school that I really got a better understanding of what the profession truly entailed."

Pellerin, originally from Plattsburgh, NY, is now finding out firsthand what being a lawyer encompasses as he pursues his J.D. at Albany Law after graduating from St. Lawrence University in 2011 with a major in Government and a minor in Performance and Communication Arts. Pellerin hopes he "can use the profession to make a positive impact on the greater community."

This summer Pellerin worked for the New York State Assembly's Minority Counsel's office where his "daily assignments varied from meeting with public and private interest groups, to attending Assembly committee meetings, as well as researching and writing legal memorandum on legislative bills pertaining to such things as small business, energy, mental health, transportation, and election law." He has been called upon to assist on the floor of the Assembly.

This summer Pellerin worked for the New York State Assembly's Minority Counsel's office.

Pellerin's ability to engage and thrive in diverse environments is not confined to the office alone; he also actively participates in the Albany Law community. Pellerin serves as a senator for the class of 2016 on the Student Bar Association, he is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and plays soccer with the Albany Law Mighty Ducks. He has volunteered for various Pro-Bono Law Days, was a finalist this past year in the Gabrielle Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Competition, and in the spring semester of his 2L year, he worked with the Honorable Kimberly O'Connor – an Albany County Supreme Court Judge. Next year he will serve as the Director of Competitions for the Anthony V. Cardona Moot Court program and will also hold the title of Student Trustee to the Albany Law School Board of Trustees.

After graduation Pellerin hopes to secure a job in either government or government relations, working for a lobbying firm. He is also interested in health law and would like to work on legal issues pertaining to the healthcare industry. 

"There are endless avenues that you can take with the skill set you get from law school," says Pellerin. "In my two short years at Albany Law school, I have come to respect the depth of the law and the myriad of ways that it silently guides our daily lives."

By Lauren Hammont