Meet Rutgers Law's 2026 First-Year Law Students
Rutgers Law School proudly welcomes its largest joint incoming class in history, with 500 first-year students beginning their legal education this fall across the Camden and Newark campuses. Selected from a competitive applicant pool and representing a wide range of backgrounds, these students reflect Rutgers Law's commitment to academic excellence, access, and opportunity. Meet some of the remarkable students shaping the future of Rutgers Law and the legal profession: Patrick Fannon | Al-Shaquan Lucas | Yamilex Leann Ortiz | Patrick Pantusco | Hajer Sabil | Ruth Simon | Tchan Stas-Bekmez | Mia Vaughn
Marlton, New Jersey, native Patrick Fannon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University. Coming from a family of attorneys, some of whom are Rutgers Law alums, he says coming to Rutgers for law school was a natural choice.
What first sparked your interest in law? I've been interested in law since I was a child, as both of my parents are attorneys. While I never wanted to be a lawyer myself, I always felt somehow destined to become one, someday. Given my skill as a writer, friends and family have long asked, "When are you going to go to law school!?" I took a bit of a winding path through my career…but, as I approached my 40th birthday, I found myself thinking, "It's now or never." I prepared for the LSAT while working for Rural Minds, the only national 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on improving the mental health of the 46 million rural Americans, applied to Rutgers early decision, and have not looked back. Contracts class with Professor [Dennis] Patterson through the Summer Jump Start program was a phenomenal introductory experience to law school. I met a great group of friends, learned a great deal about how to succeed as a law student, gained a tremendous amount of confidence, and diminished most of the trepidation about law school.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? I chose Rutgers due, in large part, to the glowing recommendations of some Rutgers Law School Camden alumni who are close to me: my brother, Sean Fannon (Class of 2018); my uncle, James Fannon (Class of 1996); and my good friends Ashley Mollenthiel Fiore (Class of 2010) and Mark Fiore (Class of 2010), who met at Rutgers and are now married with two beautiful kids and thriving legal careers. Additionally, having been born and raised in New Jersey, and having lived here most of my life--but for my years at Villanova, and about a decade living in Philly--I was drawn to the state school of New Jersey! The campus is conveniently located 10 minutes from my home in Haddon Heights, and, given everything I've both read and seen thus far, possesses a staggering range of resources to help law students succeed, both scholastically and professionally.
What are your career goals? A perfect segue because one of my primary goals of law school is to discover which area of law speaks to me most; to discover what sort of practice will most ignite my curiosity and passion. I have total faith in the process of discovery, to which many of the 2Ls, 3Ls, and alumni attested, and know that the right people and right path will fall in place in due time. Regardless of which type of law I wind up practicing, my career goals are to keep an open, inquisitive mind, to push myself daily to be the best at what I do, to learn from everyone and everything I encounter, and to build strong relationships with my superiors, mentors, peers, coworkers, and clients. I aspire to positively impact the lives of all whom I encounter, even adverse counsel!
Fun fact: After years working in legal marketing, I decided to pivot and explore my passion for local, sustainable food by joining a small, female-owned whole-animal butchery called Primal Supply Meats. Through this unique role, I gained a ton of new skills, learned about how to build a small, independent business from the ground up, and met a truly incredible range of butchers, processors, farmers, cheesemakers, chefs, and artisans, who form the heart and soul of Philly's local food system. Although Primal Supply has, sadly, since closed, my passion for regenerative farming, nourishing food, and strengthening local foodways endures, and many of the amazing people I met during my time there are good friends to this day!
Al-Shaquan Lucas of Newark, New Jersey, graduated from Rutgers University—Newark with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African American studies. He then earned a Master’s degree in Politics from New York University.
What first sparked your interest in law? Growing up in the city of Newark, I was able to see firsthand how society can fail to ensure equity for all its citizens, making clear the need for individuals who can and will commit to being change agents advocating and fighting for their communities. I, as a result, have tried to live a life devoted to service, to bettering my community and the lives of those whom I share it with. Pursuing this degree will better equip me with the skills and knowledge to undertake such a mission.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? Rutgers to me feels like home, and its faculty and staff feel like family. With the philosophy of being “in Newark, of Newark,” not only had this university allowed me to chase dreams of a collegiate education I once thought inaccessible, it allowed me to work in the greater-Newark area to create pathways for waves of students after me. There is no institution I trust more in helping me hone skills essential to my next steps of growing the scope of my advocacy as they are a catalyst for so much I’ve been able to do already.
What are your career goals? I plan to go into child advocacy law using the experience I gained as an educator and mentor to deepen the type of work I was doing; being invested not solely in the educational attainment of young scholars in this city but further my ability to be a bulwark in the defense of their rights.
Fun fact: I formally studied classical vocal production at Newark Arts High School, the first performing arts school in the nation.
Philadelphia native Yamilex Leann Ortiz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies from Temple University. Ortiz says she remembers going to Community Legal Services (CLS) in Philadelphia with her mom for assistance. That same legal services office offered her mother a job. When Ortiz graduated from Temple, she also started working as a paralegal at CLS.
What first sparked your interest in law? From a young age, I was always curious about injustices in our society and had experienced or witnessed them in my own family and community. When analyzing what my potential role towards the solution would be, all roads led to a career in the legal field. After working as a paralegal at a legal aid in Philadelphia for the last four years, I was even more inspired to pursue law school. When I realized that Latinas make up about 2%-3% of lawyers, it pushed me even more to help break down barriers for fellow Latinas interested in law.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? I chose Rutgers Law School because I am confident in the quality of education I will receive, and I was so impressed by the warm and supportive community. At Admitted Students Day, Dean [Nancy] Rupert immediately recognized me without needing to be introduced and spoke with me about how inspiring my personal statement was. It showed how much Rutgers Law School cares about each individual. Rutgers Law supports and promotes a diverse legal community through opportunities such as the Minority Student Program, which was important to me as well.
What are your career goals? I plan to use my law degree to continue advocating for change and making a larger impact. I believe that we should live in a world where basic human rights and principles are the standard, not concepts to be debated. I am keeping an open mind to different areas of law that may interest me. However, those are the ideals I hope to carry with me throughout my career.
Fun fact: I am a huge comic book nerd and Marvel fan.
Patrick Pantusco is no stranger to the Center for Law and Justice, the Newark home of Rutgers Law School. The building also houses the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice, where Pantusco is earning a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with a near-perfect 4.0 GPA. He achieved a historic milestone this semester becoming the first NJ-STEP student admitted to Rutgers Law School. He is earning both a J.D. and M.A. under a dual degree program.
What first sparked your interest in law? When Rutgers brought college into the prison system, I would fantasize, ‘Oh, maybe one day I could go to law school. One day, I could become a lawyer.’ I didn’t know if I really believed in it and then when I got to campus, when I was in a halfway house, I continued my education. I started meeting the staff and faculty here at Rutgers. They made me feel as though I belonged, and they made me feel as though there was no obstacle that was insurmountable.
Click here to read more of Patrick’s remarkable journey to law school
A part-time law student originally from Philadelphia by way of Sudan, Hajer Sabil graduated from Lehigh University with a B.A. in Political Science and an M.S. in Management. She also holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from Respect Graduate School. She now serves a healthcare chaplain in Philadelphia.
What first sparked your interest in law? My interest in law was first sparked by the conversations surrounding the 2008 Democratic primary election between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. At the time, I wanted to become president, and although I no longer have that aspiration, that is my earliest memory of curiosity about law and our political system as a whole.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? I chose Rutgers Law because of its strong commitment to its diverse and supportive community, and the flexibility of its evening program. I was especially drawn to the opportunity to study law in Camden while remaining connected to the Greater Philadelphia communities I care about.
What are your career goals? I hope to build a career that combines strong legal advocacy with my interdisciplinary background in business management and religious studies. I am still exploring the many paths available within the profession, but I am particularly interested in work that allows me to advocate for individuals and communities navigating complex institutions.
Fun fact: I minored in Spanish, Marketing, Real Estate, and Global Studies as an undergraduate.
Part-time law student Ruth Simon hails from Sahuarita, Arizona. She holds a Master of Arts in English from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Washington.
What first sparked your interest in law? I grew up in a conservative family that talked politics and current events regularly. I was in elementary school when Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed, and the Arizona papers made a big deal about her local connections. That local connection prompted me to pay more attention to the law.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? I was already leaning toward RLaw because my spouse, Jennifer, was a part-time student. (She graduated in May 2026 and is awaiting her bar exam results.) Her experiences put the school on my list because she was part of a tight-knit cohort. Then, the Admitted Students Day, when so many faculty and staff members recalled details from my application, impressed me.
What are your career goals? I haven't settled on an area of law yet. I'd like the opportunity to work with people who need an advocate, so perhaps a non-profit or government position where I can give back. I feel called on to defend those at the margins of society.
Fun Fact: I grew up in a blue-collar family that worked in the mining industry. I worked in the mines during summer breaks when I was an undergrad at the U. of Arizona (before transferring). That summer job was how I paid my tuition and dorm fees.
Born and raised in Syria, Tchan Stas-Bekmez lived in Jordan before moving to New Jersey. She holds dual Associate’s degrees in Humanities and Global Studies from Passaic County Community College, graduating with honors and induction into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies, Cum Laude, from Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she was inducted into Tau Sigma National Honor Society.
What first sparked your interest in law? My interest in law began when I experienced the legal system firsthand as a teenager while my family navigated the immigration process. That experience showed me how overwhelming the law can feel when you are simply trying to help the people you love, and it made me want to understand the system well enough to help others navigate it. I wanted to be the person on the other side - someone who could guide people through complicated legal processes, help them understand their options, and give them confidence when they need it most. My later experience in estate planning and probate reinforced that calling and showed me how much thoughtful legal guidance can protect families before a crisis occurs.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? I chose Rutgers because I wanted a legal education that would build on the practical experience I have already gained while challenging me to grow into the attorney I aspire to become. Rutgers’ strong connection to the New Jersey legal community, rigorous curriculum, and emphasis on preparing students for practice make it an especially meaningful fit for me. I also value the opportunity to learn alongside people with diverse experiences and perspectives while preparing to serve the communities that have shaped me.
What are your career goals? My goal is to build a career where I can use the law to genuinely help people and families navigate important moments in their lives. I especially loved my experience in estate planning and probate, where I saw firsthand how legal planning can give families clarity and protection. I am currently working in the Office of General Counsel at RWJBarnabas Health, where I am learning so much about healthcare law, contracts, and the role of attorneys in a large organization—and I am truly enjoying the experience. While my current interests include estate planning, guardianships, and contracts, I am also excited to continue exploring different areas of law throughout my legal education. Ultimately, I want to find the path where I can combine my legal skills with my passion for helping people.
Fun fact: While I may seem very calm and composed, I have a bit of an adventurous side! I love doing things that push me outside of my comfort zone, whether that means skydiving, zip-lining, or bungee jumping. I enjoy the contrast between my calm personality and my willingness to occasionally do something completely crazy!
Mia Vaughn is originally from Pennington, New Jersey, and attended Rowan University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology. She is an E-4 Senior Airman in the New Jersey Air National Guard.
What first sparked your interest in law? I became interested in law during my time at Rowan because I had taken classes like Criminal Law and Law and Human Rights. During these classes, I was immediately inspired by the legal system and how much of our society depends on attorneys and workers of the criminal justice system alike. During my senior year at Rowan, I interned at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, Major Threats Bureau, where I got an amazing insight into the workings of real-world investigations and prosecution. Seeing state agencies collaborate to build strong cases that would serve justice lit a spark inside me. That was when I knew that I really wanted to pursue law.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School? Knowing I wanted to go to Rutgers was not a hard decision. I knew that not only is Rutgers Law an incredible institution in regard to academics, but the atmosphere and people here are what truly make it amazing. After I had received Dean Nancy Rubert’s call notifying me of my acceptance, I knew I would be entering a community of genuine and encouraging people. Being a New Jersey native my whole life, coupled with the fact that my mom had gone to Rutgers—New Brunswick for her undergrad, Rutgers just felt like home- where I was supposed to be.
What are your career goals? For my legal career, I am very open minded to what kind of law I may practice. I have always been very interested in prosecution and criminal law. However, I have also had a deep interest in women’s rights due to working in a male dominated field.
Fun Fact: I am currently serving in the New Jersey Air National Guard. I enlisted into the Air Force at 17 right after my high school graduation and have now been in for over five years. I work at the 177th Fighter Wing in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, as an Aerospace Ground Equipment mechanic. My duty is to fix and maintain all types of F-16 aircraft equipment. I have deployed overseas twice. The first time I deployed was to Saudi Arabia with a forward deployment to Bahrain and Jordan. The second time I deployed was to Japan. My experiences in those countries have taught me so much. The military has made me strong, not just physically, but mentally. More importantly, it has made me who I am today. Being in the Air Force has encouraged me to believe that I can do hard things (and yes this includes law school). I believe in serving others and defending the constitution either in uniform or in the courtroom.