Alexandra Cortese ’26 Wins Scholarship to St. John’s University School of Law
Degree: B.A. in Law & Society
Minor: English
Programs/Clubs: Honors Program; Pre-Law Institute; The John Jay Sentinel, Editor-in-Chief; The Alan Siegel Writing Center, Tutor
Mentors: Alana Philip, Honors Program Manager; Livia Katz, Director of the Alan Siegel Writing Center
Award: Carol Robles Román Award for Legal Excellence
Internships: New York City Office for People with Disabilities, Legal Affairs Intern; Richmond County District Attorney, Summer Intern, Narcotic Bureau, Cybercrime Division; New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Legislative Intern
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Lawyer
What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Staten Island, New York. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved reading and immersing myself in books, and I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. The idea of advocating for others and fighting for justice spoke to me. When I was placed in my high school’s law academy, it solidified my career goal.
My mom has always motivated me to do well in school, to make connections, and to be a good student. Growing up, I saw her navigate life as a disabled person. She has rheumatoid arthritis, has had multiple joint replacements, and lives with chronic pain, which makes mobility challenging. Dad was the breadwinner. He worked as an HVAC tech for almost 40 years, but he had a fall while on the job around four years ago, which led to serious injuries and ultimately his disability. Having two parents who are disabled strengthened my drive to be a fierce advocate and to stand up for people living with disabilities.
Why John Jay?
I was the first in my immediate family to go to college, so I spoke with extended family members and friends to get a better idea of the college application process. I had a cousin who graduated from John Jay. He knew I wanted a college that would get me to law school and urged me to look into John Jay. I immediately felt a connection to the College, its vibrant campus, and the successful student programs that could help me get into law school.
What sparked your passion for the legal profession?
I have wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember. However, my passion intensified after my dad’s accident. A week before I started at John Jay College, my dad fell and became disabled. Suddenly, we went from living very comfortably to barely making it financially. It gave me a harsh reality check of how quickly life can change and how little help is available. That experience reaffirmed my determination to become a lawyer who would advocate for the disabled and financially insecure communities.
How have your parents’ disabilities impacted how you navigate life?
It’s made me more understanding of what others are going through, which I think will make me a more empathetic lawyer. My mom deals with chronic pain, and I’ve seen how dismissive people can be of her challenges. Because they can’t physically see her disability, they assume she is fine. What some people don’t realize is that a lot of people have invisible disabilities. Watching my mom move through life and overcome challenges has deepened my resolve to not only help her and improve her well-being, but to also be more patient with others who may be struggling in some way.
Having two disabled parents has also made me more aware of the lack of support and accessibility that surrounds us. I want my parents involved in everything I do and in everything they’d like to participate in, but a lot of times, the venues or transportation options aren’t accessible. It’s so important to be inclusive. I hope to see a real effort to improve accessibility in all communities.
How have your mentors enhanced your John Jay experience?
The Honors Program has been so amazing. I immediately connected with my wonderful mentor, Alana Philip. She’s helped me navigate my John Jay journey every step of the way, from developing my academic plan and selecting the right courses to deciding on my capstone and encouraging me to network with people in law school and in the profession. Ms. Philip was always there to hear me out and point me in the right direction.
Through the Pre-Law Institute and the help of its director, Elizabeth Broccoli, I gained a more comprehensive understanding of the LSAT, prepared for the test, and got assistance with my law school application.
I owe so much of my professional growth to Professor Katz. Working under her in the Writing Center, she’s taught me so much about grammar, how to accept constructive criticism of my work, and how to be a better writer. I believe that under her mentorship, I also became a better editor-in-chief of The John Jay Sentinel, which I am especially proud of and consider one of my favorite parts of my John Jay experience.
What did winning the Carol Robles Róman Award for Legal Excellence mean to you?
I was so excited when I got the email saying I had been named a winner. I’m so grateful for the recognition and plan to use the $10,000 reward toward law school expenses. I hope to live up to Carol Robles Róman’s legacy of advancing justice by continuing to advocate for people with disabilities and uplifting those dealing with financial insecurity. I want to make sure that fairness prevails—whether that’s standing up for a disabled person in need of accessible accommodation at the local level, or ensuring a client receives justice in the courtroom.
How did your internships deepen your commitment to the legal profession?
I had the honor of interning with New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal during my sophomore year. Getting to be a legislative intern and assist constituents on the ground was fulfilling work. Mostly, I did research on the Mitchell-Lama housing laws. Prior to this, I had experience with real estate law—I interned for a private firm before starting John Jay—so I came in with some background knowledge, but I was excited to see real estate law from a citywide perspective.
Interning at the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office was one of my favorite learning experiences. I was an intern in the Narcotics Bureau, Cybercrime Division, and worked on criminal cases. My duties included inputting data into the prosecutor’s management system, transcribing recordings, examining evidence, drafting motions under an attorney’s supervision, and sitting in on court hearings.
My internship with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities felt like the perfect way to end my internship experiences at John Jay, as it reinforced my motivation to advocate for disabled individuals wherever I go. One of my biggest takeaways from the experience, was seeing that I could be an advocate anywhere and everywhere. As a legal affairs intern, I was part of the team that produced the Accessible NYC 2025 Report. In the report, we highlighted the expansion of accessibility and inclusion efforts across the city. It was a long process, with lots of information and data to review, but it was so satisfying to see the report complete and in the hands of the public.
Why was St. John’s University School of Law the perfect choice for you?
I was excited to learn that I had been accepted into the program. For law school, I knew I wanted something a bit different from my time at John Jay. I already have experience in public service and government work. At St. John’s, I’m hoping to branch out and learn more about the private commercial sector. I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter and connecting with the University’s strong alumni network, especially its large Italian American student body. I’m also very grateful for the $20K in annual funding St. John’s has awarded me for each year I will be in law school.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I’ll be practicing law, either personal injury law or white-collar civil litigation, hopefully helping clients get the justice and compensation they deserve. I also want to financially support my parents and help them live comfortably.
Finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
I’ve grown into a person I’m proud of—a strong advocate who remembers where she comes from and has her sights set on uplifting people who have been injured, are disabled, or have been disenfranchised in some way.
