Five years ago, Stephen Marietta said he did not consider going law school an option, but now he cannot imagine not going. “It was definitely the right path for me,” said Marietta, reflecting over his past three years. “I’ve really developed a strong passion for learning the law and applying it to try to solve people’s problems.”

Over the past three years, Marietta competed in multiple appellate advocacy competitions. During his 3L year, Marietta was part of the Moot Court Board’s National Appellate Advocacy Team, which won a regional competition in Brooklyn in mid-February and became one of a handful of teams to compete in the National Competition in Chicago in April.

Marietta was named the third best advocate in the regional contest.

But he said it wasn’t making the national competition that he’ll remember most in law school. Marietta was one of four students from Rutgers Law School’s two locations to compete in the inaugural Judge Leonard I. Garth Moot Court Competition in front of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

“That’s something I’ll never forget,” said the Manalapan native, who will work in the litigation department of Sullivan & Cromwell after graduation. “How many people get to argue in front of a sitting Supreme Court Justice?”

Marietta said participating in moot court was an “invaluable experience” that taught him real skills he’ll use as an attorney. “It translated what I learned here into actual practice.”

When he wasn’t competing in appellate competitions, Marietta served as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Volume 69 of the Rutgers University Law Review in Newark.

 He also completed three judicial internships – with state Supreme Court Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, United States District Judge Esther Salas, and United States District Court Judge Jose Linares. “The three internships were an immeasurable supplement to my learning here,” said Marietta. “I made great friends while in chambers and had an opportunity to work on incredibly fascinating issues.”

Marietta, who earned his undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary, said he liked the diversity at Rutgers as well as the price tag. He additionally benefitted from the mentoring he received from Professor Suzanne Kim, for whom he served as a Teaching Assistant. “I really enjoyed my time here,” he said.

He hopes to come back to Rutgers Law as an alumnus and  is helping to plan a symposium next year with Professor Kim’s Center for Gender, Sexuality, Law and Policy. In the meantime, he had this advice for new law students, “Focus on your grades the first year, then don’t be afraid to be ambitious and do as much as you can. Get involved in as many things as time permits and try to have fun.”