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Thomas Crociata

Fri, 02/18/2022 - 11:19am -- cvh5484
Hometown: Hauppauge, New York (Long Island)
Expected graduation year: 2022
Summer associate/Internship/Clinics: I was a summer intern for the Supreme Court of New York, Queens County in the Criminal Division after 1L. After 2L, I interned for PwC as a Financial Markets Tax Legal Intern. During my studies at PSL, I was a member of the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic for three semesters, and also during my 1L summer.
 
 
 
 
Which Penn State Law Professor and/or faculty member has had the most influence on your journey at Penn State Law? 
Professor Tom Sharbaugh, the EAC director. He has always been a steady advisor for me for school and career advice.
 
What has been your favorite course that you have taken at Penn State Law? What’s your most valuable takeaway you learned from that course? 
My favorite course I took at Penn State Law was Professor Lopatka's Torts class. My first semester of law school was difficult and although Professor Lopatka was tough on cold calls, he had a charisma about him that made learning easier. The most practical class I took was Representing the Entrepreneur taught by Professor Sharbaugh. This course taught me practical skills that I used in his clinic with real clients and it provided me with the knowledge I needed to best assist my clients' needs.
 
Are you involved in any student clubs, orgs, etc. that enhanced your Penn State Law experience? If so, in what ways have they enhanced your experience? 
I was President of the Corporate Law Society, Magister (President) of Phi Delta Phi, the International Legal Honor Society, Committee Chair for the SBA, and involved with Admissions as a Law Lion Ambassador. In a simple answer is yes, being involved helped me get to where I am and has enhanced my experience exponentially. Without being involved, law school likely would have been a lonely place, but getting involved has introduced me to a diverse group of people who have challenged me to think differently while allowing me to ascertain social skills that will last a lifetime. 
 
What’s your favorite book? 
During my time in law school due to the high amount of reading I do, I have not read for leisure in awhile. But I would say Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is my favorite book.
 
Who do you look up to? (Living or dead) 
My father, Peter Crociata.
 
What has been your favorite Penn State Law experience so far? 
My favorite experience during my tenure at Penn State Law has been participating in the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic. My time at the EAC has been packed with learning and practical skills that will help me with my upcoming job. It is also extremely rewarding. Assisting entrepreneurs in the greater Pennsylvania area with the formation of entities, drafting organizational and operational documentation, and most other legal needs has been fulfilling. Plus, it has been a great compliment to the hard work that I have put into learning about the law. 
 
Are you working? If so, where? 
I am currently a Teaching Assistant at the Smeal School of Business for a few Business Law courses and a Real Estate Law course. I also work for the Admissions department at Penn State Law.
 
Do you have a job after graduation? 
Yes, I have gained employment after graduation at Morgan Lewis & Bockius in the New York City office. I am so excited to start my career with such an esteemed firm, and in the Investment Management practice group. This group is the exact reason I came to law school.
 
How did Penn State Law prepare you for this job? 
Penn State has done a good job at preparing me for this position. PSL has given me countless opportunities to grow as a person and as a professional. With opportunities to get involved in various organizations, mock interviews, learning from various students and faculties with different ideological and cultural backgrounds, PSL has allowed me to grow. During my job search, the faculty were very supportive and helped me prepare for interviews and the application process. Due to the background and education that I received from Penn State Law, I am confident I will succeed as an associate starting in the fall.
 
What outside of class prepared you for this job? 
Working prior to law school at a hedge fund prepared me for the professionalism and the specific knowledge that was needed in order to get this position. However, being a member to and in leadership positions of multiple organizations here on campus also prepared me for the social skills. Being that I was President of the Corporate Law Society and Phi Delta Phi, the international legal honor society, I had a broad interactions with the majority of the student body and administration and those interpersonal skills are extremely critical to be successful.
 
Where’s your favorite place to go outside of Penn State Law on the University Park Campus? 
The arboretum, unfortunately during the entirety of my 3L year, it has been under construction. But the arboretum is a great place to go and turn your brain off to just enjoy the calmness of it.
 
What do you like to do when you’re not studying? 
When I am not studying, I like to hang out with friends and I partake in a variety of activities. I play basketball, hike, and go to sports trivia with some buddies on Thursday nights.
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With opportunities to get involved in various organizations, mock interviews, learning from various students and faculties with different ideological and cultural backgrounds, PSL has allowed me to grow.
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