Charlie Shapiro (2L) brings a deep commitment to labor and employment law shaped by hands-on experience and leadership. After interning with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and serving as Secretary of the Labor and Employment Law Forum, Charlie will spend his 2L summer at Thompson Coburn LLP, building on his advocacy-focused path.
Can you share a bit about your background and the path that led you to Seton Hall Law?
Seton Hall offered me a great scholarship, and it’s located in the area where I want to start my career. It felt like the right mix of opportunity and location.
What drew you to labor and employment law, and how has your role as Secretary of the Labor and Employment Law Forum influenced your law school experience?
I grew up in Baltimore, MD, a city I hold very dear to my heart. Season two of The Wire, which is set in Baltimore, is what first sparked my interest in organized labor. The story of the longshoremen’s union at the Baltimore docks showed both the pride and solidarity unions create, as well as the real challenges they face as industries change. It led me to explore the history of labor movements and the legal protections workers need.
As Secretary of the Labor and Employment Law Forum, I’ve been able to explore these issues in real life by working with practitioners, learning about current workplace challenges, and building a network of classmates who share my interest in protecting workers’ rights.
Tell us about your summer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. What kind of projects did you work on?
I worked with an Administrative Judge, assisting with hearings for a wide range of federal employment discrimination cases. These cases involved employees from nearly every federal agency, which gave me a broad view of workplace issues.
You have already secured your 2L summer position with Thompson Coburn LLP. What excites you most about that opportunity?
I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learned so far and putting it into practice. I’m especially excited to work alongside some of the best litigators in the country.
Your time at Global Kids involved securing major grant funding. What skills from that role have carried over into your legal training?
That experience taught me how to write professionally and how to tell a story in a way that connects with people. Those skills have been invaluable in legal writing.
During your undergraduate years at George Washington University, you earned impressive honors. How did your studies in international affairs and your Arabic minor shape your perspective as a future attorney?
Both disciplines taught me to think critically and pay close attention to detail. International affairs helped me see the big picture, while Arabic sharpened my sensitivity to nuance.
Law school can be intense. What strategies have helped you stay organized and maintain academic excellence?
At the end of each week, I apply what I’ve learned by doing a practice essay or multiple-choice questions. It helps keep the material fresh and makes me feel prepared for exams.
What is one piece of advice you would share with incoming law students navigating their first year?
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Stay engaged, but focus on the study methods that work best for you. There is no single “right” way to do law school.
Outside of academics and work, what activities or interests help you recharge and maintain balance?
I enjoy playing pickup basketball and seeing at least one movie every couple of weeks. I also post movie reviews on my Letterboxd account.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term career goals, and how do you see your law school experiences preparing you to achieve them?
I hope to earn an offer from my firm after next summer by coming in with a can-do attitude and contributing from the start. My time at Seton Hall has given me the skills and confidence to do just that.
