Kristin Merani, 3L
Dallas, Texas
Kristin Merani has always had a desire to make a difference in the
lives of those in need, but she never thought she would do it as a
student in St. John’s School of
Law.
“Entering college, I knew that I wanted to help people, but I
initially believed becoming a doctor would be the best way to
accomplish that. While taking a government course I saw the power
of legislation, and how the legal profession impacts thousands of
people’s lives everyday. That’s when I decided to apply to law
school.”
For Kristin, choosing St. John’s University seemed the right fit
and also followed a family tradition, “I have countless family
members who earned their bachelor's degrees at St. John's,
including both of my parents who actually met and got married here.
Everyone spoke highly of the University, not just of the
outstanding education they received, but of the knowledgeable
faculty and staff, diverse student body and the immense number of
opportunities to give back and serve.”
Dedicated to providing students with a superb legal education along
with direct access to valuable hands-on practical experiences, the
School of Law offers numerous opportunities for students to reach
the highest level of success and service through a compassionate,
principled and ethical philosophy of legal practice.
“My favorite class at the law school is the Prosecution
Clinic because it’s where I have an opportunity to use the
skills I’ve acquired to help people in the local community. All of
our cases come from the Queens County District Attorney’s Office
and deal with domestic violence,” explains the third-year student
who will become an Assistant District Attorney with the Manhattan
District Attorney's Office when she graduates.
“Not only do we make a difference by helping the DA’s office, but
we make a concerted effort to ensure the victims receive all the
additional help and support they need while going through such a
difficult time. In the clinic I am able to develop my passion for
advocacy while giving back to the community and seeking justice for
the greater good.”
Aside from her positions as Senior Staff member of the Moot Court Honor
Society and the New York
International Law Review, Kristin also participates in national
tournaments, plans guest lectures and hosts internal competitions
as the Executive Director of the Frank S.
Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute (PTAI) – a nationally ranked
student-run organization dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary
talent and interest in trial work among St. John’s students.
“I have come a long way since my undergraduate days. I am thankful
to St. John’s for opening up that door and providing me with the
legal education and practical experience that will allow me to
fulfill my goal of helping others both professionally and
personally.”
To learn more about the opportunities at St. John's from our
Students, Alumni and Faculty, visit our Web
page.