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Alumni
Pride and Purpose: Sav Ackerman ŮٱƵ25
Sav Ackerman ŮٱƵ25 has always had a strong work ethic. Born into an abusive and impoverished upbringing, both of SavŮٱƵs parents passed away by the time Sav was 15 years old. ŮٱƵThere were many hard days growing up,ŮٱƵ shared Sav. ŮٱƵPrior to passing away, my mother was a single parent and worked full-time while going to school for nursing. I started working to support myself from the time I was 15 and continued to work throughout law school.ŮٱƵ
It was the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ŮٱƵ's FLEX JD Scheduling Option that attracted Sav the most. ŮٱƵThe FLEX JD program fit my schedule perfectly,ŮٱƵ said Sav. ŮٱƵIt allowed me to continue working without overwhelming my already busy schedule while also providing me with the ideal amount of academic intensity I needed.ŮٱƵ Once they started at Pace Haub Law, Sav found the Law School atmosphere extremely communal in nature. ŮٱƵEveryone wants one another to succeed. The connections I made ŮٱƵ professors, fellow students, administrators ŮٱƵ all allowed me to deepen my understanding of the law and how to be a successful advocate.ŮٱƵ
Sav recalls Adjunct Professor Stefen Short as one of the most remarkable individuals they met while studying at the Law School. ŮٱƵProfessor Short introduced the topic of incarcerated peoples' rights to me as a student after my summer of working at The Legal Aid Society of Westchester, and illuminated a field of lawyering I didn't know was reachable,ŮٱƵ shared Sav. ŮٱƵHe inspired me with a different way of thinking when approaching advocacy that I will never forget.ŮٱƵ
While Sav was at Pace Haub Law, they were the FLEX Representative for Lambda Law Students. They launched the innovative and impactful Name Change Clinic at Cubbyhole Bar in New York City. ŮٱƵThis initiative was very important to me,ŮٱƵ shared Sav. ŮٱƵI, along with other Pace Haub Law Lambda Law Students, handed out paperwork and information to allow individuals to change their legal name in New York State. Being able to see this initiative become a reality and take it into New York City at a landmark LGBTQ+ space, like Cubbyhole, was amazing.ŮٱƵ While Sav was a law student, they also co-founded the LAMBDA LGBTQIA+ Judge Mentorship Program, where LGBTQIA+ judges across the state of New York assist in mentoring law students at the Law School.
Today, Sav is studying for the bar exam and working as a law graduate with The Legal Aid Society of New York City. ŮٱƵI hope to continue to learn and expand my advocacy for minority communities and indigent clients so that their voices may be heard,ŮٱƵ said Sav.
In their spare time, Sav pursues music as an outlet. ŮٱƵI am a musician and continue to play guitar, drums, and piano. I love creating lyrics and music that allows me to feel!ŮٱƵ As far as words of advice, Sav encourages current and future law students to remember why you started your law school journey, but to also open your arms to changing and learning within the field. ŮٱƵDon't be afraid to evolve and never give up.ŮٱƵ
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