Hamden native feels fortunate to use skills developed at law school to represent his community

May 12, 2023

nathanael scaniffe smiles on the beach wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses in front of the water

Nathanael Scaniffe, JD ’23, has been looking at Quinnipiac’s Mount Carmel Campus his whole life. Born and raised in Hamden, he regularly drives past the brick buildings and enjoys the view of the Quad from the top of Sleeping Giant.

He regularly attended Quinnipiac hockey games with friends and family, even when he attended a nearby university. 

When he decided to attend law school, Scaniffe was looking for great academics, community and a chance to continue growing. Quinnipiac School of Law gave him just that, in addition to keeping him close to the places and people that he calls home.

“I really chose Quinnipiac because they are dedicated to educating the whole lawyer by providing incredible teaching and emphasizing real world work experiences, giving students a well-rounded education that they can really learn from,” Scaniffe explained.

He completed externships at area public defender’s offices, The New Haven Corporation Counsel’s Office, Connecticut’s Division of the Public Defender Services and the U.S. Army.

These experiences enabled Scaniffe to work with experienced attorneys two years before he graduated, giving him courtroom skills and the opportunity to practice what was discussed in his courses.

“It has been humbling to be able to use my education to work on the behalf of people in my own community who need and deserve representation. Quinnipiac has always put an emphasis on serving your communities, which helped me pursue this path. I will always remember the time I have spent with my colleagues, allowing them to become some of my closest friends along the way,” Scaniffe said.

Scaniffe has worked hard while here, with one year's work culminating in being published in Volume 36, Issue 2 of the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal.

When asked about advice he would give incoming students, Scaniffe said, “This is your education, and you will get out of it what you put in. Do not be afraid to try new things and take advantage of incredible professors and experiences offered here, you will be happy you did! I am sure that connections I have made will last a lifetime and this school will continue to produce excellent lawyers long after I graduate.”

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