Weekend Warrior - James "Bryan" Cavallaro

You’re juggling law school with a strong professional background, including real estate and being a law clerk. What strategies do you use to manage your time effectively as a weekend law student?

For me, time management comes down to prioritization—figuring out what needs immediate attention, what can be postponed, which quick tasks I can knock out to clear my plate, and what’s coming up that I can get a head start on to ease future pressure. Lately, I’ve also started trying to tackle at least one low-effort task each evening instead of jumping straight into watching TV or doing something else. Those small tasks add up and remove unnecessary stress.

I’ve also found—somewhat ironically—that the more structured I become, the more freedom I have. By focusing on the task at hand (as best I can!), whether at work, school, or social gatherings, I become more efficient, produce better work, and enjoy life more. When I get bogged down by the burdensome “to-do” list, everything feels like a struggle and takes longer.

Lastly, giving myself permission to take short breaks has made a big difference. Whether going for a quick walk or just stepping away for fifteen minutes, that time helps me recharge and return with better focus. It’s far more effective than sitting and staring at a book or screen while nothing sinks in.

You have an impressive career spanning real estate, hospitality, and even commodity trading. What inspired your transition into law, and how have your past experiences shaped your legal studies?

I spent nearly a decade working at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Although more of a solo endeavor in terms of performance, trading commodities taught me the constant need to adapt and how to manage adversity. After my time at NYMEX, I transitioned into the hospitality and real estate industries, taking on a role as a project and construction manager for a hospitality company that owns several well-known restaurants in Asbury Park and Jersey City. While I wasn’t directly involved in restaurant operations, I managed building maintenance, oversaw the opening of new locations, and coordinated remodels of existing ones.

That’s where I picked up more collaborative, team-oriented skills. I had to coordinate contractors, navigate city permitting, and work with architects, engineers, attorneys, designers, and restaurant staff to achieve our common goal. It was through this role—working closely with attorneys and seeing them advocate for us through complex challenges—that I first envisioned myself doing similar work.

When the pandemic hit and brought the hospitality industry (and much of the world) to a standstill, I knew it was time for a change. With the encouragement of my loved ones, I started studying for the LSAT—and I couldn’t be happier with that decision.

All in all, these work and life experiences have taught me to stay teachable, stay positive, and stay comfortable with change—values that continue to serve me well in law school.

What’s been the biggest challenge of being a weekend law student, and how have you overcome it?

Balancing the rigors of law school with the financial demands of maintaining a household has been one of the toughest parts of my journey. I made a conscious decision to accept lower-paying legal roles to gain meaningful, hands-on experience. At the same time, my fiancée is a graduate student in her third year of medical school. As bills and student loans accumulate, moments of stress and self-doubt inevitably surface.

Still, we keep our eyes on the bigger picture. We know we’re making a generational difference for our families and creating future opportunities to serve others. If that means making sacrifices now, that’s okay. The finish line is in sight.

You’ve had hands-on legal experience through your externship with Judge Singh and your clerkship at McOmber, McOmber & Luber. What has been your most rewarding or eye-opening moment in these roles?

One of the main reasons I chose Seton Hall Law was the abundance of professional opportunities, and I’m glad to say that’s proven true. Early on, through OCS, I landed a clerkship at McOmber, McOmber & Luber. From the start, I was reading depositions, conducting intake calls with clients, and drafting demand letters. I also completed a paid internship with NJ Reentry, which gave me valuable insight into advocacy, systemic injustice, and helping people get a much-deserved second chance.

Last summer, I had the privilege of externing with Judge Singh. She’s not only brilliant but also generous with her time and deeply invested in the growth of her externs. It was a true gift to learn from someone so knowledgeable and compassionate. During that externship, I built strong bonds with fellow externs as we shadowed Judge Singh during settlement conferences, observed both civil and criminal trials, and spent time in chambers, immersed in the court’s inner workings. Being in the courthouse every day reminded me of the real-world weight attorneys and judges carry.

You’ve won multiple awards for legal writing. What’s your approach to crafting persuasive and well-researched legal arguments?

Because I came into law school with no prior legal writing experience, I was ready to learn. I took my professors’ advice seriously and sought out every opportunity to improve. My Lawyering professor was incredible—she held weekly office hours, and I showed up regularly, even if I didn’t have a question. Just listening in taught me so much.

I realized early on that research and writing are essential in this profession. If I want to be a great attorney, I have to master them. It’s a work in progress, but being on a journal has sharpened my writing, and classes like Advanced Legal Research have helped strengthen my search techniques.

My strategy? Start writing. Get the ideas out. Then refine and rewrite relentlessly until the argument is clear, concise, and compelling.

Law school is as much about relationships as it is about academics. How have you leveraged networking to build connections and open doors in the legal field?

Most of my legal connections have come from stepping outside my comfort zone—joining a journal, taking on externships, and attending events. Through those experiences, I’ve met incredible attorneys, judges, and peers. I genuinely hope to stay connected with many of them as I grow in my career.

My approach is simple and authentic: focus on the person, not their title. I don’t view relationships transactionally or ask what would look good on my resume. I stay in touch with people I truly admire—whether for their legal skill, scholarship, or simply how they carry themselves.

Seton Hall Law makes this easier. So many successful alumni are eager to give back. I’ve found that when you focus on genuine relationships with people who inspire you, things have a way of falling into place.

Outside of law, you have a passion for volunteering, music, and travel. How do these interests help keep you balanced and motivated during law school?

While my outside activities have scaled back due to law school, they’re still part of my life. International travel has turned into quick day trips or the occasional overnight getaway—and that’s okay. Playing guitar has always been my go-to stress reliever, helping me disconnect and reset.

Law school can be overwhelmingly cerebral. Volunteering, like helping at local food drives, keeps me grounded and connected to the real world. It reminds me why I came to law school: to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Law school is known for its intensity. Can you share a moment where you faced a major challenge in your legal studies and how you tackled it?

I’m not someone who thrives on stress—I don’t enjoy it and certainly don’t seek it out. But I’ve learned that growth and stress often go hand-in-hand. My past roles—like commodities trading and project management—taught me how to handle pressure.

Even still, law school is hard! OCIs, finals, journal write-on, oral arguments, applications—it all adds up. My way through it? One day at a time, one task at a time. I try not to obsess over the never-ending “to-do” list. I remind myself I can only be in one place at a time, and staying present is the best way to do good work and manage stress. Easier said than done—but something I keep striving for.

With graduation in 2026, what type of legal career do you see yourself pursuing, and how do you plan to use your diverse background in your future practice?

I’m still figuring it out, but I’ve tried to expose myself to many areas. My past experiences introduced me to real estate and construction; I currently work in employment law and gained courtroom insight through my externship. I also learned a lot about nonprofits through NJ Reentry.

This summer, I’ll be at Mandelbaum Barrett, continuing to build on that diverse foundation. While I know the clock is ticking to pick a path, I’m comfortable adapting, developing skills that can carry across practice areas, and staying ready when the right opportunity arises.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other weekend law students who are trying to balance school, work, and life?

Take care of yourself and resist the urge to compare your journey to anyone else’s. Everyone has different backgrounds, goals, and responsibilities. What works for one person might not work for you—and that’s okay.

Focus on your own growth. Push yourself—you’re probably more capable than you think—but don’t feel pressure to do everything. Prioritize your well-being and trust that your path, even if it looks different, is valid and worth following.