Kennedys welcomes new fall class of 2025

We are pleased to welcome 13 individuals to the firm in the 2025 Fall Class. This new class includes Julia Adinolfi, Alexis Adrien, Ashley Bechtold, Laura Burkett, Grace Castillo, James English, Sarah Khan, Vanessa Leung, Sean O’Connor, Jeremy Perillo, Dilan Samo, Kathleen Vasterling, and Benjamin Wax. The class is spread across the United States, joining the firm’s offices in New York, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Wilmington, Austin, and New Jersey.

Julia Adinolfi joins the New York office. She graduated from New York Law School in May 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the College of Staten Island. Julia recently served as a summer fellow for the New York County District Attorney’s Office and was a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Seth Steed of the Bronx County Supreme Court. During law school, she was a finalist in the Froessel Moot Court Competition and competed in the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

Alexis Adrien joins the New York office. She graduated from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in May 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government with a minor in Law from Queens College, City University of New York. Alexis has prior experience as a law clerk and legal intern. During law school, she was an active member of the Black Law Students Association and the Northeastern Black Law Students Association.

Ashley Bechtold joins the Fort Lauderdale office. She graduated from Florida International University School of Law in May 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from The University of Florida. Ashley has previous experience as a summer associate and law clerk. During law school, she was a Staff and Alumni committee member for FIU Law Review and a member of FIU Law Moot Court. She also served as President of the Asian Law Student Association, Treasurer of the Broward County Bar Association, and was a representative of the Peer Mentor Program.

Laura Burkett joins the New Jersey office. She graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law in May 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas State University. Prior to law school, Laura held roles in sales management and business performance advising. During law school, she served as an Associate and Senior Editor for the Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy.

Grace Castillo joins the Miami office. She graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in May 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University. Grace has experience as a law clerk and summer associate. During law school, she was a member of Moot Court and the Miami Law Women Organization. She also received a Dean’s Book Award for Best Brief.

James English joins the Wilmington office. He graduated from Widener University Delaware Law School in May 2023 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a concentration in Law from Monmouth University. Prior to joining the firm, James served as a law clerk to a United States District Court judge in Delaware. During law school, he received the Herman V. Belk Memorial Award for Scholarly Work and was named Member of the Year for the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law. He is admitted to practice law in Delaware.

Sarah Khan joins the New York office. She graduated from New York Law School in May 2025. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Finance with a minor in Information Technology. In 2024, Sarah was a compliance summer associate at Citibank and, prior to this, a legal extern at Malecki Law. In law school,  Sarah was  Executive Editor  for NYLS Moot Court Association and Research and  Reference Editor for NYLS Family Law Quarterly. She was also a member of the Legal Association for Women and a New York Law School Student Ambassador.  

Vanessa Leung joins the New York office. She graduated from St. John’s  University School of Law in June 2025. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from St. John’s University, College of Professional Studies. Vanessa was a legal intern for James F. Butler & Associates and a judicial extern for the Honorable Eric N. Vitaliano in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In law school, Vanessa was the President of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, Associate Managing Editor for St. John’s Law Review, and a member of the Intellectual Property Law Student Association.

Sean O’Connor joins the New York office. He graduated from New York Law School in May 2025 and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Binghamton University. Sean has experience as a legal intern and judicial intern. During law school, he was a Staff Editor for the New York Law School Law Review and a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council. He is admitted to practice law in New York.

Jeremy Perillo joins the New York office. He graduated from Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in May 2025 and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Politics from The Catholic University of America. Jeremy has experience as a legal intern and law clerk. During law school, he served as Productions Editor for the Pace International Law Review.

Dilan Samo joins the New Jersey office. She graduated from Rutgers Law School in May 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Management from Rutgers Business School. Recently, Dilan was a judicial intern for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and, prior to this, a summer law clerk for an AmLaw Top 200 firm. In law school, she was a Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research Skills Teaching Assistant and served as Vice President of the Social Equity Student Bar Association.

Kathleen Vasterling joins the Austin office. She graduated from Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University in May 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History from Louisiana State University. Kathleen served as a teaching assistant during law school. She was a quarterfinalist and won Second Place Best Brief in the Tullis Moot Court Competition. Kathleen was also an active member of the Student Bar Association, Public Interest Law Society, and Women Law Students Association.

Benjamin Wax joins the New York office. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School in May 2025 and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Strategic Consulting and Operations Management. Benjamin has experience as a clinical mediator and summer associate. During law school, he served as Associate Managing Editor for the Journal of Law & Policy.