Young Lawyers Officer Spotlight – Dayana Saint Vil

Lautaro Facciuto: Thank you for joining me for an interview and I’m excited for our readers to learn more about you! We are happy to have you on our team as the Vice Chair of the Young Lawyers Interest Network (YIN) Committee. Could you tell us about your professional journey so far and what led you to choose a career in law?

Dayana Saint Vil: My professional journey started in undergraduate school. I received my Bachelor of Science in Criminology with a minor in Pre-Law. While in undergrad, I was awarded various scholarships and completed legal internships. After completing my undergraduate program, I became a paralegal for The City of New York. In this capacity, I worked in the Family Court, Tort, and Special Federal Litigation Divisions. During my time in this role, I experienced some challenging circumstances that fueled my desire to attend law school. When I entered the CUNY School of Law Evening Division Program, I learned of the JD/MIA (Juris Doctor/Master in International Affairs) dual degree program. This allowed students who had an interest in international law to deepen their understanding of global organizations, foreign policies, and things of the like. As a dual degree candidate, I was a part of student organizations, studied abroad, participated in fellowships, and gained a wide range of experience that provided invaluable foundational knowledge. Since being awarded the JD/MIA dual degree, I have joined organizations, such as the American Bar Association, which has made my ongoing professional journey interesting and engaging so far.

Lautaro Facciuto: That's quite impressive, Dayana. How would you describe your current work, and what aspects of your daily responsibilities do you find most challenging?

Dayana Saint Vil: Currently, I am a Regulatory Analyst. In this role, I provide legislative guidance to various State boards spanning across multiple service industries. Essentially, we advise board members who are generally long- standing professionals in their fields. Therefore, there may be challenges aligning multiple individuals’ thought processes in specific areas.

Lautaro Facciuto: Thank you. What are your long-term career goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Dayana Saint Vil: I am looking forward to working with international organizations and thought leaders abroad who could benefit from and/or have positions where U.S.-trained lawyers and legal professionals can provide insight to positively impact global citizens. Most recently, I have begun exploring career paths within the realm of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Lautaro Facciuto: You are one of the most experienced YIN members, what do you appreciate most about this group and why should other young lawyers join?

Dayana Saint Vil: I appreciate our diverse membership. It’s interesting when you’ve been working with a colleague across the globe virtually, and we finally have an opportunity to meet each other in person at one of the ABA events. I enjoy learning about everyone’s unique path, and while we have undeniable differences, it is always a treat when you realize we are more similar than not.