On Tuesday, September 30th, Suffolk Law hosted its “Careers in Legal and Law Agenda” event, a hybrid panel designed to connect students with successful practitioners and illuminate diverse career paths in the legal world. The event, held in Sargent Hall, provided valuable insights into adapting to the modern legal landscape.
What Was on the Agenda?
The panel featured a diverse group of confirmed legal professionals, including five alumni: Heather Cox-Boutet (BA ’07, JD ’15), Marsophia Ducheine (BA ’12), Daniel Gazzani (BA ’18, JD ’22), Carolin Hetzner (JD ’04), and Christopher DiBella (MBA ’01, JD ’04). The discussion covered critical topics essential for students planning their careers:
- A Day in the Life: Panelists detailed what their daily routines and organizational duties entailed.
- Motivation and Challenges: Speakers discussed the most difficult parts of working in the field and what keeps them motivated.
- Career Growth: The discussion included opportunities for advancement and whether employees typically pursue law school.
- Standing Out: Panelists shared the experiences that led them to their current roles and what resume skills and prior experiences make candidates competitive.
Following the structured panel discussion, the floor was opened for audience Q&A.
Alumni Spotlight: Chris DiBella’s Essential Contributions
Christopher DiBella, Founding Partner of DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, shared powerful advice centered on technology, diverse roles, and the human side of law. As an alumnus of Suffolk University Law School (JD ’04) and the Suffolk University Law School of Management (MBA ’01), his perspective offered practical guidance:
1. Embrace AI or Risk Obsolescence
DiBella delivered a stark warning about the necessity of incorporating technology:
“If you guys take one thing away from this, learn how to embrace AI”.
- He stressed that AI is not going away and advised attendees that in this competitive industry, “you may not be replaced by AI, but you sure are going to be replaced by someone who uses it”.
- DiBella personally uses AI about ten times a day, every day.
- He cited practical applications, such as drafting deposition questions, creating PowerPoint presentations (which still require human oversight and proofreading), and managing voluminous document dumps. He also noted that tools like Lexus and Westlaw employ closed-circuit AI designed to limit “hallucinations”.
2. The Modern Law Firm Needs Tech Expertise
DiBella emphasized that law firms must adapt and utilize technology quickly or face failure (“you’re going to be got”).
- He noted that people with technological expertise are becoming “one of the most important people in a law firm”.
- He described various roles within his firm, from receptionists to paralegals (who can grow into senior paralegals managing others without needing to attend law school).
- He also detailed the typical progression of an attorney from new attorney to associate, senior associate, and potentially partner.
3. Client Care is Central to Success
DiBella, who has practiced nearly every type of law (including criminal work, divorce, real estate, and wills and trusts), explained that his focus on personal injury law stems from a profoundly personal experience: his older brother was involved in a life-threatening car accident when DiBella was young, exposing his family to struggles with debt collectors and medical bills.
- This experience defined his firm’s mission: to treat clients the way he wished his family had been treated.
- He urged future attorneys to focus on superior client service, emphasizing that they should “be a human” and “lead with your heart”. He criticized other firms that fail to return client calls for “days, weeks, months” and advised attorneys to respond quickly, ideally the same day.
- He proudly recalled a judge calling him a “blue-collar attorney” because Suffolk grads possess “grit,” are tough, smart, and willing to get the work done.
Why the Suffolk Law Career Panel Matters
The “Careers in Legal and Law” Suffolk Law panel was important because it gave students a structured view of the complex legal industry. DiBella’s contributions were particularly crucial for two reasons: validation and preparation.
First, his success and reminder that Suffolk grads are recognized for their “grit” serve as a powerful validation for current students. DiBella is a highly recognized attorney, including being named to Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2020-2025) and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plaintiff.
Second, his strong focus on the immediate need to master AI provides students with a competitive edge, framing technological proficiency not as an optional skill, but as a survival necessity in a highly competitive legal market. He essentially demonstrated that while technology rapidly automates processes (like drafting deposition questions), the indispensable elements remain superior client service and empathy, which makes the legal field a blend of high-tech efficiency and high-touch human connection.
