Month: January 2025

  • Free LSAT Workshop from TestMasters, Tue., Feb. 4, 6:00 to 7:30 pm [“Reading Comprehension”]

    Free LSAT Workshop!  REGISTER HERE

    Looking to improve your LSAT reading comprehension skills? Join us for a free LSAT Workshop presented by TestMasters, the leader in high‑end LSAT preparation. Attendees will work through a series of challenging reading comprehension questions with a veteran instructor who will demonstrate the most effective strategies for tackling this section.

    When: Tuesday, February 4th

    Time: 6PM – 7:30PM Eastern Time

    Limited spaces are available, so RSVP now to save your spot!

    Register Now!

    The workshop will be conducted by Anthony Meni, a veteran TestMasters instructor who has taught over two thousand LSAT students in live class settings. Anthony has 17 years of LSAT teaching experience, an official LSAT score in the 99th percentile, and a J.D. from George Washington University.

    Anthony Meni

    TestMasters

    8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 810

    Beverly Hills, CA 90211

    The CSI Legal Studies Institute has no financial relationships with TestMaster’s Test Prep.  When for-profit companies offer free LSAT Prep events, they are obviously marketing their products. Nevertheless, these classes are real and can benefit students planning to take the LSAT.  –Michael Paris, Pre-Law Advisor, College of Staten Island

  • New York State Courts Paid Summer Internships, Deadline to Apply, 1/31

    FOR INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

  • CSI Legal Studies Institute, Scamardella Funded Summer Internship: Deadline to Apply, 2/21/25

    The Robert J. Scamardella Fund for Equal Legal Education Opportunity

    The Robert J. Scamardella Fund for Legal Education Opportunity,

    Funded Summer Internship.

    Made Possible by the Generosity of Robert J. Scamardella and the Law Firm of Scamardella, Gervasi, and Kasegrande

    Work at Staten Island Legal Services, Inc. for Eight Weeks, July 1—August 23, 2025.

    Total Stipend Amount:  $1,500

    Deadline to Apply: February 21, 2025

    Eligibility:

    • Rising CSI Senior, CSI Senior, or Recent CSI Graduate (within 2 years)
    • Demonstrated Intent to Attend Law School
    • Minimum GPA: 3.4
    • Bi-lingual Students Preferred

    To Apply:  Send:

    • Statement of Interest (1-2 pages);
    • Resume;
    • Unofficial Transcript;

    In one pdf or Word document, to:

    Professor Michael Paris, [email protected]

    Deadline:  February 21, 2025 

    ABOUT ROBERT J. SCAMARDELLA

    Robert J. Scamardella is a life-long Staten Islander who graduated magna cum laude from the College of Staten Island in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. In 1975, he earned his Law Degree from Brooklyn Law School. He started his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office where he was the Chief of the Major Offense Bureau. Mr. Scamardella is an experienced Trial Attorney having litigated numerous Estate, Real Estate and Business Matters. He has particular experience in Will Contest, Breach of Contract and Business Owner Disputes. He also has extensive knowledge in Will Probate and Administration Matters, Business Formation, Business Owner Agreements, Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transactions, Elder Care Law and Estate Tax Planning. He oversees the Law Firm of Scamardella, Kasegrande, and Gervasi, and its Associates, while interacting with clients to address their personal needs. Mr. Scamardella has served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond County Bar Association and has chaired its Public Relations and Fee Arbitration Committees. In addition, Mr. Scamardella has served as Board Chairman of the Staten Island YMCA and the Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York and is a former Board Member of the College of Staten Island Foundation.

    About Staten Island Legal Services:

    Project Director: Nadia K. Hernandez

    No other borough has changed as much as Staten Island over the past twenty years. Significantly, poverty has increased by 90%. In response to this dramatic change, Staten Island Legal Services (SILS) opened its doors in 2004 to serve Staten Island residents and to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice.

    With over 30 dedicated and highly-trained staff, SILS assists approximately 7,500 low-income individuals and families a year in preventing evictions and foreclosure, preserving affordable housing and homeownership, obtaining access to education, supporting survivors of domestic violence, assisting applicants for immigration status, and engaging in LGBTQ/HIV+ advocacy. In working closely with the communities we serve, our staff regularly conducts outreach and community education and builds relationships with community leaders and organizers, to achieve holistic solutions for our clients.

    SILS advocates practice in many areas, including:

    As part of Legal Services NYC, our other borough offices can help Staten Islanders with other legal issues, including:

    Staten Island Legal Services is a NYC Financial Empowerment Center!
    Staten Island Legal Services has partnered with Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners and the NYC Office of Financial Empowerment to provide FREE one-on-one confidential financial counseling and coaching to support you in reaching your goals, regardless of income or immigration status. A professional Financial Counselor is available to provide personalized guidance and can help you address a wide range of personal financial topics:

    • Take control of your debt, including student loans
    • Strengthen your credit score
    • Make savings a part of your routine
    • Balance a budget
    • Open a bank account
    • And much more

    Our Location

    36 Richmond Terrace  Ste. 205   map
    (Across the street from the ferry)
    Staten Island, NY 10301
    718-233-6480

    https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=136

    For more information, contact:

    Professor Michael Paris

    Chair, PSGA

    Pre-Law Advisor for the College

    [email protected]

  • You’re Invited: Join the CUNY-Wide Pre-Law Conference on January 17th at CUNY Law!

    Dear Pre-Law Students,

    Are you considering a career in law? Looking for guidance on how to navigate your journey to law school? We’re excited to invite you to the CUNY-Wide Pre-Law Conference, From Aspirations to Advocacy: Building a Legal Career, a must-attend event for aspiring law students across the CUNY system! Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea of law school or you’re ready to apply, this event is tailored to help you succeed. This dynamic conference will provide you with the tools, resources, and connections to make informed decisions about your legal education and career.

    EVENT DETAILS:

    CUNY-wide Pre-Law Conference,

    From Aspirations to Advocacy: Building a Legal Career

    Date: Friday, January 17th, 2025 | Time: 9:30 – 3:30 PM

    Location: CUNY School of Law (Address: 2 Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11101)

    Event Webpage: https://www.law.cuny.edu/admissions-and-aid/cuny-wide-prelaw-conferece/

    Highlights include:

    Mock Class: Preview of a law school course by Professor Jared M. Trujillo

    Admissions Panel: Learn what law schools are looking for in candidates.

    Workshops: Gain practical tips on LSAT prep and securing financial aid.

    Networking Opportunities: Connect with law school representatives, current students, CUNY Law alumni, and fellow pre-law students across the CUNY system.

    Breakfast and lunch will be served!

    RSVP now to secure your spot! Space is limited, so don’t wait! Click here or copy & paste the following link:https://lsacunitev2.powerappsportals.com/event/sessions?id=Off_Campus_Event_Template2954445161.

    We can’t wait to see you at the conference as we will help you take the next step toward a rewarding legal career.

    Sincerely,

    Bibi N. Amin (she/her)

    Assistant Director of Outreach and Systems Operations

    Admissions | CUNY School of Law

    Law in The Service of Human Needs

    NOTE: Michael Paris, the CSI Pre-Law Advisor, will be attending this event.  For more information, email Michael.Paris@csi.cuny.edu

  • Great Opportunity: The 7Sage Summer LSAT Fellowship Program; Deadline, Feb. 28

    At 7Sage, our mission is to make legal education accessible, but talk is cheap and school is expensive. We’re putting our money where our mouth is and offering a summer fellowship to five to ten low-income prospective law students in New York City to help them prepare for the LSAT and the law school application process.

    The 2025 summer fellowship will include the following:

    • Estimated 30 hour per week time commitment for an 11-week hybrid summer study program in New York City, including one in-person session each week

    • $600 per week stipend for 11 weeks to allow for undivided focus on law school preparation

    • Dedicated LSAT instruction and admissions services for the duration of the summer program, plus a 12-month 7Sage LSAT live class subscription

    • Weekly in-person opportunities for group study and community-building with other fellows

    Fellows will also strengthen their research and writing skills through their work on the 7Sage summer fellowship capstone project. With support and feedback from one of 7Sage’s professional writers, fellows will explore a field of law that interests them and draft an 8-10 page academic paper on a current issue in their chosen legal field.

    The 2025 summer fellowship program will be held between June 2, 2025 and August 15, 2025.

    Summer Fellowship Eligibility

    This fellowship is open to candidates who meet all of the below criteria:

    • Are in financial need (as determined by 2024-2025 FAFSA or 2023 tax return(s));

    • Are a Junior or Senior in college or already graduated;

    • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3;

    • Plan to apply to American JD programs within the next three years;

    • Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and

    • Are able to attend weekly in-person sessions in New York City for the duration of the summer fellowship program.

    Apply Now

    7Sage Summer Fellowship Program

     

    How to Apply

    The application form is accessible at the link below. Candidates must also submit the following required application materials to be considered for the fellowship:

    • Résumé

    • Undergraduate and/or Graduate Transcripts (Unofficial)

    • 2024-2025 FAFSA form or 2023 Tax Return(s)

      • Candidates submitting a tax return who are married or claimed as dependents may be required to submit additional tax returns from their spouse or parent.  Please see the application form for a full list of required tax return(s) based upon your situation.

    • Application essay on the following prompt (600 words maximum):

      • Choose a specific controversial opinion regarding current events.  In 600 words or less, write a persuasive argument defending this opinion and write a persuasive counter-argument against this opinion.

        There is no “right” topic or argument. You may refer to outside facts and evidence, but this is not a research paper:  you will be evaluated solely based on the strength of your critical thinking, analytical skills, and persuasive writing.

    Applications for the 7Sage summer fellowship must be submitted on or before February 28, 2025.  Applications will be reviewed and offers will be made on a rolling basis.

    If you have any questions regarding this application form or application supporting documents, please contact [email protected].

    FAQs

    What subscriptions and services are included in the 7Sage Summer Fellowship?

    Will candidates be interviewed as part of the selection process?

    Will lodging be provided as part of the 7Sage Summer Fellowship?

    When will fellowship offers be made?

    How long do I have to accept an offer?

    Apply Now

    7Sage Summer Fellowship Program