Kristin Paradisis

Kristin Paradisis

6.8.2023

By Lynn Kodjoe

Name: Kristin Paradisis
Hometown: Westchester, New York
Law School: Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
Graduation Year: 2024

What inspired you to go to law school?

I grew up performing and through involvement in local arts programs, I quickly learned how often musicians are exploited. I believe in protecting artists under the law so that they can create and profit from their works. These protections afford artists freedom from unnecessary barriers and limitations while being of service to their communities. Accordingly, I enrolled in law school to learn about entertainment law, intellectual property law, and related areas of practice, and to be an advocate in matters within these areas of law.

What area of the law interests you and why?

Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law are of interest in planning my career trajectory because as a music business technology undergraduate student, I learned a great deal about negotiation of artist rights, key contract clauses, and misappropriation of creative works. I envision a future not only as an arts advocate, but also as a legal advocate, supporting creatives in developing their entrepreneurial endeavors and imparting important social impact work.

What extracurriculars are you involved in and how have they impacted your experience?

It has been an honor to serve on the Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA)’s Executive Board at my law school since 1L. I was also recently elected National Chair of the National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA). These leadership positions provide the opportunity to engage with other law students of diverse backgrounds and propel endeavors that aim to augment diversification of the legal profession. It is imperative as Latina/o’s make up 19% of the general population and only 5% of the legal profession.

I am also proud to serve as Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA’s) Law Student Committee for the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law (EASL) section. In addition, I am an active member of my law school’s Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law society. These activities have allowed me to connect with attorneys and law students that have similar interests in the law. The opportunity to create spaces through which law students can connect with each other and engage with the EASL community has provided me with an organic stage for professional growth. I am also involved in a passion project called The Wavelength Collective. As the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, I collaborate with the team to highlight the lived experiences of women who work behind the scenes in the music industry. This helps me to build community with both legal and non-legal professionals working in music.

What do you hope to achieve after you graduate?

I plan to work immediately out of law school for a law firm or organization which centers the creative visions and entrepreneurial aspirations of creatives. I hope to continue to network and begin reaching back to law students and music students through mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching. I also plan to share my perspectives by continuing to speak on professional panels.

What advice would you give to your fellow law students?

I would encourage law students to tailor their extracurricular involvement to areas of practice that they are passionate about or interested in. Further, be open to receiving advice and feedback from reliable sources to inform your perspectives. Engage in networking often and be authentic while you do so.

Why should other law students join NYSBA?

The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) is a great organization to explore your interests in the law. The programs hosted by various sections and committees address cutting edge issues. The valuable and current information that students receive from educational programs gives students a competitive advantage when interfacing with practicing legal professionals. NYSBA provides students with a free membership to access all of the aforementioned as well as a statewide network of legal practitioners.