Omar Serrano’s journey through law school has been shaped by hands-on experience in employment and immigration law, leadership in student organizations, and a commitment to mentorship. In this interview, he shares insights on his clerkships, pro bono work, and the challenges and triumphs that have defined his legal education.
How did your experience at Jackson Lewis during your 2L summer shape your understanding of labor and employment law, and what were some key projects you worked on?
At Jackson Lewis, I got to see employment law in action—I prepared research memos for cases in litigation, drafted workplace policies, visited client workplaces, and sat in on a deposition. In addition, I helped with a pro bono immigration case. Through my assignments, I familiarized myself with both New Jersey and federal law on employment discrimination.
Can you describe the most challenging aspect of balancing your studies, work, and family responsibilities, and how you manage to excel in all areas?
Between being involved in LALSA, Law Review, internships like my current role at the Center for Social Justice, and family time, I rely on scheduling my week using a calendar and celebrating the “small wins” whenever I achieve them.
What motivated you to become involved with the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA)?
LALSA was my first point of interaction when I entered law school, and I have developed close friendships with both current members and recent alumni. My law school experience would not have been the same without LALSA, and now, as Co-President alongside Carla Zurita, I aim to continue paying it forward to the 1Ls and 2Ls through mentorship.
How did your role as a Law Clerk II at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, prepare you for your future legal career, particularly in handling immigration cases?
Not only was Fragomen my first job out of college, but it was also my first insight into what a career in law could be. As a paralegal, I prepared petitions, drafted support letters, and juggled more than 50 cases at once. Working in a fast-paced environment sharpened my attention to detail and taught me to write using the CREAC formula before I even knew what that was.
Fragomen focuses mainly on business immigration, which is a niche field different from other areas of immigration law (asylum, family-based immigration, deportation defense, etc.). By combining my experience at Fragomen with my current role as an intern at the Deportation, Detention, and Defense Initiative (DDDI) at Seton Hall, I have gained well-rounded exposure to various aspects of immigration law.
What insights did you gain from your judicial internship with Judge Madeline Elizabeth Cox Arleo, and how did it influence your decision to pursue a clerkship with an appellate judge?
As an intern for Judge Arleo, I was able to see how the concepts we learned in 1L applied in real life. In addition to observing hearings in Judge Arleo’s courtroom and throughout the entire District Court of New Jersey, I received career advice from Judge Arleo and her clerks. By observing what the clerks did daily, I came to understand the value of a post-graduation clerkship—whether trial or appellate.
Additionally, one of the areas of law related to an assignment I received during my judicial internship became the basis of my Law Review comment.
Can you discuss a memorable case or project you worked on during your time with the New Sanctuary Coalition and its impact on you?
I volunteered at the New Sanctuary Coalition when I was an undergrad at NYU. During my time there, I helped a person and their young child, who had fled state violence in Nicaragua, apply for asylum. Over the course of about 14 months, I spent weeknights and weekends translating documents and interpreting in collaboration with committed pro bono attorneys.
At a time when few asylum applications were approved, the person and their child received asylum and are now green card holders. That experience—seeing someone’s life change forever for the better—inspired me to apply to law school after graduating from college. While the New Sanctuary Coalition is now defunct, I have developed lasting friendships with the people I was fortunate to meet during my time there.
How do you see your bilingual abilities in Spanish and Portuguese enhancing your legal practice, especially in immigration and international law?
Growing up speaking English at school and Spanish at home, being bilingual has allowed me to connect directly and build trust with clients in immigration law throughout my time at Fragomen, Jackson Lewis, and the DDDI Initiative at Seton Hall.
Additionally, my Latin American Studies major in college required me to learn basic Portuguese—which has been useful in the Ironbound!
What are your goals and expectations for your upcoming appellate clerkship, and how do you think it will shape your future career?
Upon graduation, I will be clerking for Judge Lisa Perez-Friscia in the New Jersey Appellate Division! I look forward to sharpening my legal research and writing skills in various areas of both civil and criminal law before returning to private practice at Jackson Lewis.
As a First-Generation Law Student, what unique challenges have you faced, and what advice would you give to other first-generation students pursuing a legal career?
Balancing law school with significant personal challenges tested my resilience. Toward the end of my 1L year, my family experienced hardships that made me consider pausing my studies to support them financially. Despite doing well academically, the emotional toll was immense. Leaning on my Seton Hall community, friends, and family reminded me that perseverance was key.
What kept me going was the belief that a legal education would open doors to long-term stability for my family. Every obstacle became motivation to push harder, not retreat. I applied for every scholarship available during my 2L and 3L years so that I could graduate from law school.
My advice for students is to develop a support system early in law school and let your drive to overcome challenges define your journey—not the obstacles themselves.
How has your participation in the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey’s American Dream Pipeline Program as a mentor enriched your law school experience and personal growth?
Mentoring high school students from Hudson County, where I grew up, keeps me humble. Being able to pay it forward to them is a full-circle moment. It’s proof that seeing someone like you in the legal world changes everything.
