SPARKS

In this episode of SPARKS, Senior Litigation Attorney at GIFFORDS Law Center Lekha Menon ’18 joins Dean Melanie Leslie and Associate Dean for the Office of Career Success Carey Bertolet Grant for a conversation about overcoming imposter syndrome and finding one’s passion, even if the path to it is not linear. 

With a start in big law, Lekha talks about how she took the opportunity to explore various practice areas before landing a role in litigation. The foundational skills she learned at Cardozo guided her throughout her career in big law, a judicial clerkship and ultimately her role in advocacy. 

Lekha also touches on the important lessons she learned throughout law school and her professional career that shaped her as the professional she is today. 

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This episode of SPARKS features Olivia Greer '12, Head of U.S. Privacy & Cybersecurity at Weil and a partner in the firm's Technology & IP Transactions Practice. She also serves as Co-Lead of the Firm’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force.

Her work spans transactional work, advisory practice, incident response to data breaches, and artificial intelligence.

Olivia discusses how she was drawn to intellectual property while she was in law school and how that initial interest shaped her approach to privacy law in her career. She also touched on the evolution of technology in the workplace, notably AI, and how it can strengthen the user’s thinking when used as a tool to support conclusions rather than reach them.

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This episode of SPARKS was recorded live at Cardozo's 34th INSPIRE! Awards. We spoke with the event’s two Community Impact Honorees: Jackie Pearce '13, Pro Bono Immigration Attorney at Fried Frank, and Andrea Sáenz, Senior Counsel at Co-Counsel NYC and Managing Director of the National Immigration Habeas Institute (NIHI).

Jackie and Andrea have spent their careers representing detained immigrants navigating one of the most complex areas of the legal system, often without access to an attorney. Andrea’s work with NIHI trains other lawyers to take on these cases, which has had a widespread impact on the number of filings. Jackie manages immigration pro bono work at Fried Frank, where she says attorneys are more eager than ever to get involved to meet the needs in the community.

In this episode, they talk about what drew them to this work and what keeps them in it.

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This month on SPARKS, we welcome Matthew Eisler ‘07, Head of Sports Capital at Latham & Watkins, for a conversation at the intersection of law, business, and the global sports industry. A leading voice in sports, media, and private equity, Matthew has built a distinguished career advising on some of the most high-profile transactions in professional sports, from franchise acquisitions and strategic investments to league-defining partnerships.

In this episode, Matthew discusses his work advising private equity firms, institutional investors, and major sports stakeholders on complex transactions across the global sports landscape, including franchise investments, media rights, and strategic capital initiatives. Eisler’s work includes the Walton-Penner Family’s $4.65 billion acquisition of the Denver Broncos, Josh Harris’s record-setting $6.05 billion purchase of the Washington Commanders, and Fenway Sports Group’s $3 billion strategic collaboration with PGA TOUR Enterprises.

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This month on SPARKS, we welcome Harold K. Gordon ’88, accomplished trial lawyer, Cardozo Board of Overseers member, and partner at Jones Day, for a conversation on leadership, litigation, and the power of preparation. With more than 30 years of experience defending clients in high-stakes trials, SEC investigations, and complex financial litigation, Harold shares insights from a distinguished career spanning groundbreaking jury trials, public service in the SEC’s Enforcement Division, and his ongoing commitment to mentorship and pro bono advocacy. From the courtroom to the classroom, Harold reflects on what it means to lead with excellence, integrity, and purpose while shaping the next generation of legal advocates.

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In this episode of SPARKS, David Feuerstein, co-founder of Feuerstein Kulick, shares how his path from professional baseball to Big Law eventually led him to launch a firm at the forefront of the cannabis industry. Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 1995, David reflects on the lessons from sports that shaped his legal career and entrepreneurial mindset.

He also discusses the decision to leave Boies Schiller Flexner to start his own firm, the unique challenges of representing cannabis companies, and the complex banking and regulatory hurdles facing the industry today. In addition to his practice, David teaches Cannabis Law as an adjunct professor at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, helping prepare the next generation of lawyers for this rapidly evolving field. From professional baseball to cannabis law, David Feuerstein has built a career defined by bold pivots and entrepreneurial thinking.

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In this episode of SPARKS, we sit down with Francesca Witzburg ’14, founder and managing partner of ESCA Legal and a go-to voice at the intersection of intellectual property, modern brands, and digital culture. Francesca shares how she built a female-founded firm from the ground up and why embracing social media early helped her stand out in an industry where posting on Instagram was once considered taboo for Big Law attorneys.

From litigating cutting-edge cases in the Southern District of New York and shaping emerging IP law to building a strong digital presence that fuels her business, Francesca offers a candid look at how authenticity and strategy can transform a legal career. She discusses how she structures firm incentives, uses LinkedIn storytelling and social platforms as powerful marketing tools, and applies the “Purple Cow” mindset to differentiate her brand in a crowded market.

Francesca also reflects on her practice of “radical gratitude,” embracing setbacks like lost cases or unpaid bills as opportunities for growth and innovation. This conversation is packed with practical insights for lawyers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about building a modern legal practice with purpose, creativity, and resilience.

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What happens when a practicing lawyer follows an unexpected passion and finds it leads to a more fulfilling career?

In this episode of SPARKS, we sit down with Diego Carvajal, Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Mayer Brown, to explore his journey from practicing law to shaping talent and culture on the HR and professional development side of a global law firm.

Diego shares how his longtime passion for acting and improv became a powerful professional asset, helping him thrive as a presenter, facilitator, and workshop host. We dig into how improv skills can elevate a legal career and why Diego believes that “not being prepared forces you to always be prepared.”

The conversation also takes a candid turn as Diego reflects on being laid off, rebuilding confidence, and reinventing yourself when the path forward isn’t clear. His story is a reminder that career setbacks are not the end—they’re often the spark for something new.

Whether you’re a lawyer, aspiring professional, or someone navigating change, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on what it means to build a meaningful career.

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Deans Melanie Leslie and Carey Grand sit down with Matthew Baione ’14, a founding member of the 9/11 compensation law firm Pitta & Baione LLP, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about purpose, resilience, and building a meaningful legal career.

Matthew shares how Cardozo’s May-entry program shaped his path and gave him the practical skills to approach law school—and his profession—as if he were already operating in the real world. Just out of Cardozo at age 25, he launched his own firm dedicated to helping 9/11 victims and their families, ensuring they are cared for even after their loved ones have passed.

He also reflects on the personal practices that sustain him: writing poetry, building a family-run music label with his wife, Keep Good Company, and involving his children in creative ventures that balance the intensity of legal work. Throughout the conversation, Matthew emphasizes the importance of caring for yourself so you can better care for your clients.

This inspiring episode highlights the many ways a Cardozo education can empower graduates to serve their communities while forging fulfilling, grounded lives both inside and outside the law.

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In this episode of SPARKS, we talk with Jonathan Wilcon ’15, an associate at Morgan Lewis. 

He reflects on his path from aspiring prosecutor to renewable energy attorney, and how each step, from civil litigation to corporate transactions, built on the lessons and relationships formed at Cardozo. Jonathan credits his time in the Securities Arbitration Clinic, strong academic performance, and the support of close classmates and mentors for shaping his approach to law and career growth.

Jonathan also shares how embracing a bit of pessimism is essential to anticipating risk and guiding clients wisely.

Listeners will hear valuable advice for current students on taking critical feedback, learning from what doesn’t fit, and keeping an open mind as interests evolve. Jonathan’s story is a reminder that no one succeeds alone, and that sometimes, success comes from seeing around the corner.

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