Summer Associate Spotlight: Gabriella Greenhoward

Gabriella Greenhoward is a 2022 Summer Associate in the firm’s NYC office. She is a current law student at Rutgers Law School and is set to graduate in 2023. Learn more about Gabriella through the Summer Associate Spotlight below:

What made you interested in law as a Career?

My interest in the law began with one case. A few years ago, my uncle told me the story of five young boys imprisoned for a crime they did not commit. I was devastated that the system named for justice could allow these young men to slip between the cracks. I followed that case for years, read anything I could find, and even researched and wrote a final exam paper on it in college. Now, after decades behind bars, they have been released and are known as “The Exonerated Five.” Throughout that time, I developed a genuine interest in the law and decided to seek opportunities to continue studying the law on a deeper level. 

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

My favorite thing to do outside of work is to read leisurely. I just finished The Long Songs of W.E.B. DuBois, and I highly recommend it. I am always scouting for my next book, so if you have any recommendations, please send them my way.

What made you want to apply to Cullen and Dykman’s Summer Associate Program?

I was immediately interested in the C&D and New Jersey American Water Diversity Fellowship Program. It was a unique opportunity for 1Ls to spend half of the summer working in-house at NJAW and the other half interning for Cullen and Dykman. I knew if it worked out, this would be an invaluable experience to gain exposure to two pathways I could take with my legal career.

What have you enjoyed most about Cullen and Dykman’s program so far?

My favorite part of this program is the people. What I value most in a summer program is working with attorneys and partners who want to teach. That has been my experience since my first day here. I have received assignments from attorneys in different practice groups, and they have taken the time to provide context and work through dense areas of the law with me. I have also had the privilege of working with and learning from my fellow summer associates, who are diligent and talented and inspire me every day.

What academic/professional achievement are you most proud of?

I was the second student from Moravian University to be selected for the 3+3 program with Rutgers Law School. I completed my undergraduate major degree requirements in three years and began law school in the fall of 2020. It was a challenging journey, but it was worth every late-night study session and canceled plan. With only one year left before graduating with my J.D., I couldn’t be prouder of where I am.

Favorite Quote?

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world that they’ve been given, than to explore the power they have to change it.” -Muhammad Ali

What advice do you have for prospective Summer Associates?

Before you begin, erase from your mind every idea, feeling, or thought about what kind of work you would like. There is no substitute for the exposure you will get to different practice areas at the firm. Immerse yourself completely in the experience and go for assignments in different practice groups. Once you find areas you enjoy, reach out to attorneys in those practice groups and ask about their experiences and day to day work.

About Cullen and Dykman's Summer Associate Program

For more than 40 years, we have hired law school students to participate in Cullen and Dykman’s Summer Associate Program, which offers challenging assignments, training, mentoring programs, networking opportunities and social events to students after completion of their second year of law school. Our Summer Associate Program is designed to allow law students to explore different practice areas while interacting with different attorneys at the firm’s offices in New York, New Jersey and Washington, DC.

About Cullen and Dykman LLP

Cullen and Dykman LLP is a full-service law firm that clients have trusted to deliver top-tier, cost-effective legal services since 1850. With over 190 attorneys in seven offices located throughout the Northeast and MidAtlantic regions, Cullen and Dykman is strategically positioned to meet the changing needs and demands of our clients.