Emely Betancourt Leon shares her journey from securing a 1L summer position at Pfizer to her upcoming role as a Summer Associate at Seward & Kissel. In this interview, Emely discusses her experiences in compliance, her job search strategies, and what she looks forward to in her legal career.
What made you decide that you wanted to go to law school?
I chose to attend law school because I recognized the profound impact lawyers have on society. Lawyers hold the power to drive meaningful change and guide their clients toward effective solutions. The opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives and advocate for others inspired my decision to become a lawyer.
Why did you choose Seton Hall?
I chose to attend Seton Hall because of its diverse range of concentrations and programs, as well as its convenient location, which provides students with access to valuable opportunities in both New Jersey and New York—two states where I would like to practice.
Can you discuss your job search for your 1L summer? How did you find your job, when did you apply, and what made you decide to accept Pfizer over any other opportunities you may have had?
I began my 1L job search during winter break and continued applying until I secured an offer. My applications included law firms and various in-house positions, primarily through employers' direct websites and LinkedIn. I received two offers from Pfizer's 1L Summer Scholar program at the NY headquarters after applying to two different groups within their Legal department and ultimately chose the Biopharma group. I decided on Pfizer because I had a positive experience during the interviews and felt that the work culture and role aligned more closely with my interests than the other opportunities I was considering.
Can you explain a little bit about what you did at Pfizer?
I worked within the Biopharma group, where my primary responsibilities included reviewing promotional and consumer-facing materials to ensure legal compliance and accuracy. My role involved conducting legal research, redlining agreements, and participating in daily cross-functional meetings with teams from the medical and marketing departments to provide comprehensive legal support.
How much of the work was compliance-based?
Although Pfizer has a dedicated Compliance department, my role heavily focused on supporting the Biopharma group by ensuring legal accuracy and compliance for consumer-facing materials. I contributed by reviewing these materials to prevent misleading language and ensure they aligned with applicable legal standards and guidelines.
Did you like the compliance work you did? Why or why not?
I enjoyed the compliance-based work because it required careful attention to the phrasing and language of consumer-facing materials. This involved analyzing how certain words or statements could be interpreted in ways that might lead to legal issues, such as making misleading claims or overpromising results. Much of the work focused on crafting language that minimized liability while remaining clear and accurate. Additionally, the role required me to stay current on relevant FDA regulations and guidance to ensure regulatory compliance for the specific medications my supervisors were responsible for.
Can you talk a bit about your job search for your 2L job? When did you start applying, and how much did you do on your own versus applying through Fall Recruitment?
I began applying for 2L summer positions in June while working at Pfizer. I submitted applications independently to several firms and participated in Fall Recruitment through Seton Hall’s Office of Career Services. After completing multiple interviews with several firms, I made a decision. Ultimately, I chose a firm I connected with through Fall Recruitment because it aligned more closely with my long-term career goals.
What are you doing this summer? What are you most excited about in this upcoming Summer Associate position?
I am working as a Summer Associate at Seward & Kissel in New York this summer. I’m excited to explore the firm’s various practice groups and discover which areas best align with my interests and career goals. I look forward to gaining hands-on experience and learning from accomplished legal professionals. Additionally, I’m eager to contribute to the firm while continuing to develop my skills and further prepare myself for my legal career!
