The School of Law and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office have welcomed the 2025–2026 class of the Future Lawyers of Springfield (FLOS) program, a collaborative initiative designed to inspire and mentor students interested in careers in law, criminal justice, and public service.
This year’s cohort includes 50 participants ranging from high school to law school, all committed to learning how the justice system works and how they can contribute to it. Students meet biweekly, alternating between sessions at the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and WNE School of Law, engaging directly with legal professionals, faculty, and mentors to explore the practice of law in action.
“Programs like FLOS create an invaluable bridge between education and real-world experience,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “By engaging young people early in their academic and professional journeys, we help cultivate a generation of future lawyers who are grounded in service and justice.”
Dean Zelda B. Harris welcomed the new class and emphasized the University’s mission to empower the next generation of advocates and leaders. “Our partnership with the District Attorney’s Office exemplifies the kind of experiential learning that defines a WNE legal education—where students not only learn about the law, but learn to live it through community engagement.”
Among those demonstrating the impact of this kind of hands-on legal education is Gerry Martin, a second-year part-time evening student at WNE Law who was recently elected to the Springfield City Council representing Ward 7. At just 25 years old, Martin’s victory underscores the powerful intersection of civic engagement and legal training that WNE Law fosters.
“Gerry’s achievement reflects the spirit of service and leadership we strive to cultivate,” Dean Harris added. “He represents the best of what it means to be a WNE Law student—using his education to make a tangible difference in his community.”
The FLOS program’s recent sessions have featured speakers including Assistant District Attorneys Jeffrey Clarke and Elizabeth Simonian and included the following panelists:
- WNE Associate Dean and Professor of Law, Erin Buzuvis, who researches and writes about gender and discrimination in education and athletics. She reflected on Title IX’s successes and ongoing challenges, as well as the legal and cultural barriers LGBTQ+ athletes continue to face.
- Attorney and WNE law alumna Mariam Aydah, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who discussed current legal challenges facing Muslim communities and the balance between litigation and advocacy. She emphasized the power of “fighting ignorance with education.”
- Attorney and WNE law alum Stefan Sjoberg who addressed misconceptions about corporate and transactional law, highlighting how he finds fulfillment working with small businesses and entrepreneurs — a stark contrast to his earlier experience representing large corporations.
These discussions have introduced participants to diverse areas of the law—from civil rights to corporate practice—while emphasizing ethics, balance, and purpose in legal careers.
Through this partnership, WNE School of Law and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office continue to strengthen Springfield’s legal and civic ecosystem—supporting pathways for students like Gerry Martin and others who will shape the future of justice and leadership in Western Massachusetts and beyond.
Adapted in part from District Attorney's Anthony Gullini's Facebook post, November 5, 2025.
