May 2016 Alumni Highlight

When Stephen J. Brown ('04) received his bachelor of arts degree in physics degree from The College of Holy Cross, law school was not necessarily at the front of his thinking. After graduating from college, Stephen started a position as an actuarial consultant in the risk management group of Deloitte & Touche. Although Stephen enjoyed working at Deloitte and his time there was well spent, he did not think the actuarial field was his calling and he revisited the idea of law school. Stephen knew he wanted to remain in the Northeast area and eventually practice law in New York, so "Pace Law School made perfect sense." On top of that, his sister, Susan, attended Pace Law and graduated in 1993 and had gone on to clerk for the Court of Appeals and land a fantastic position thereafter.

Starting as a 1L in 2001, he felt at home immediately and was confident he had made the best decision for his future career – an attorney. While at Pace, he kept busy and involved – from the Pace Law Review, to the Gaelic Law Society, and the Italian-American Law Students Organization. He also kicked back on campus, playing guitar and jamming with classmates Brendan Reilly ('04), Jennifer Kipe Moore ('04) and Greg Saracino ('04) and Professor David Dorfman, (with Brown, Sarasino, and Dorfman playing under the stage name the Gravanos!). He took a well-rounded variety of courses during his three years at the Law School. One of his fondest memories is his participation in the London Law Semester. "It was such a unique and fulfilling experience. To experience what you learned in a classroom in the actual practical setting of another country was amazing and thoroughly educational." Upon graduating cum laude in 2004, Stephen also earned an international law certificate.

After graduating from Pace, Stephen accepted a position as an associate attorney at Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP. His practice was focused in commercial litigation. After a couple of years of practice, Stephen took a position at Griffin Coogan & Veneruso, LLP, where Stephen had clerked as a law student at Pace in Bronxville, New York. Stephen then joined James Veneruso in 2008 when the firm Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz & Curto, LLP was formed in Yonkers. Starting as an associate in 2008, Stephen worked hard and continued to expand his expertise and knowledge base and skill set and became a partner at the firm in 2014. He specialized in corporate litigation, business law and trust and estate matters. Recently, Stephen was presented with another opportunity – to join the firm of Bleakley Platt in White Plains as a partner. At Bleakley Platt, he practices in the corporate, litigation, and trusts and estates fields.

Stephen credits his successes in his career to the hands-on education he received at Pace. "The professors, the environment, the courses – you are given all of the tools you need for a successful career as an attorney. There is so much personal attention and care given to you as a student at Pace. I can't imagine a better environment to excel as a law student."

Stephen has served as President of the Pace Law School Alumni Board since 2012. He is a huge advocate of giving back to the Law School that he feels gave so much to him. Recently, Stephen participated in an alumni board organized trip to Washington, D.C. where a group of alumni were sworn in before the Supreme Court Bar. In the spring, he, along with other board members, will again provide refreshments and snacks to students studying for exams. "I stay involved because I recall what it was like to be a law student who was working his tail off and just wanted a shot. I want to help open doors to Pace's current students. Opportunitas. I believe in that and I think that is such a fitting motto for Pace Law School. It is also so important for students to see that alumni care and are invested in their future. I am a Pace Law Alumni and I am proud of that fact."

Stephen lives in Yorktown with his wife, Maura, and their four children. In his spare time, Stephen enjoys coaching his kids sports teams, cheering on the Yankees, and spending time with his family.