Tejash: How long have you been involved with the WCBA? 

Kapila: Around 5 years! I served on the WCBA Task Force on Attorney Wellbeing and am currently serving on the Special Committee on the Future of the Bar.

Tejash: Can you share details about your role at Haub Law and the journey to your position?   

Kapila: As Assistant Dean for Career & Professional Development at Pace Haub Law, I lead the law school’s efforts to connect our students and alumni with legal internships, post-graduate jobs, and professional opportunities. The Center for Career & Professional Development does a significant amount of individual counseling for students and alumni, to assist students in identifying potential career paths that align with their goals and help them find opportunities, develop strong application materials, prepare for interviews, and develop professional skills. We also connect with employers to bring opportunities to our students and alumni and provide professional development programming.

I started at the law school as a career counselor in the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) in 2017 and initially was exclusively student-focused. That experience allowed me to get to know students really well, and I developed a real admiration for the strengths of our student body. I assumed the role of Assistant Dean of the CCPD in 2021, and since then, I have had the opportunity to connect more with employers and alumni in the community who have been incredibly generous in giving back to the law school and helping students through internships, jobs, mentorship, and programming.

Before coming to Pace Haub Law, I spent some time as a litigator at Sullivan & Cromwell, drafted regulations at the Transportation Security Administration, and worked as a legal writing coach for junior Big Law associates. My experience as a legal writing coach really highlighted for me the joy I found in helping young lawyers develop the fundamental skills they need to succeed, which led me to my role at Pace Haub Law. Pace Haub Law really offers students from all backgrounds an opportunity to develop meaningful and impactful careers, and I am grateful that I can play a small part in helping our students launch into the profession.

Tejash: What should every WCBA member know about your work and potential synergies with Haub Law? 

Kapila: We are always eager to connect with members of the Westchester legal community. In particular, I always encourage local attorneys to take on student interns. This gives employers the opportunity to train junior attorneys (and give them a trial run); so, they can then hire entry-level attorneys they already vetted and who already understand their work and their firm/organization.  Most employers want to hire attorneys with a couple of years of experience because they want someone who is trained, but there are not enough of those attorneys to fill hiring needs.  Hiring an entry-level attorney whom the employer has already trained while they were a student can be a win-win for the employer and the new attorney.  So, I welcome outreach from any local attorneys who are interested in hiring a student intern (or recent graduate)!

Tejash: Who are some of your mentors? 

Kapila:  I have been very lucky to have had some amazing bosses over the years, who have been great mentors.  The Chief Counsel at the Transportation Security Administration, Francine Kerner, really believed in me, and gave me amazing opportunities to contribute and grow.  Dianne Rosky started out as my legal writing professor in law school, and later reached out to me to join her writing coaching company as a legal writing coach. She has always provided me with amazing guidance and was supportive of my move to the law school (even though that meant no longer working with her).  Currently, I am grateful to work for Dean Horace Anderson, who truly supports our students, the work of the CCPD, and me personally.  

I am also very lucky to have my incredible parents, Nalini & Virendra Juthani, nearby.  They have always provided invaluable guidance and support throughout my educational and professional journey.  And, while not exactly a mentor, my husband, Hrishi Karthikeyan, is my constant sounding board and advisor.  I am grateful to have so much support.  

Tejash: What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

Kapila:  I really love to bake and seriously considered starting a baking business before I came to Pace Haub Law.  That would have been a very different career…

Tejash: What is one of your guilty pleasures? 

Kapila:  I love rom coms!

Tejash: Is there any particular experience or training that helped build your skill set?   

Kapila:  My work as a legal writing coach really helped me refine my writing and editing skills as well as my teaching skills.  I draw upon each of these skills every day in my current role.

Tejash: What success are you most proud of? 

Kapila:  As much as I enjoy helping our students, having raised two great kids is the success I am most proud of.

Tejash: What are some of your favorite things to do in Westchester?

Kapila:  I love all of the outdoor spaces in Westchester, from the waterfront spaces in the Rivertowns to the gorgeous parks where I love to go hiking.

Tejash: What are some of your favorite meals, books or podcasts? 

Kapila:  Meals: Some of my favorite meals are Indian meals – particularly South Indian food (in honor of my South Indian-American husband). Books: Recently, I have really loved Fredrik Backman’s books.
Podcasts: I primarily listen to food and entertainment industry podcasts.

Tejash: What is one of your future ambitions? 

Kapila: Prior to assuming the role of Assistant Dean for the CCPD, I taught the first-year Legal Skills course at the law school (while also serving as a Career Counselor).  I have not had time to teach again since then, but I hope to teach again sometime in the future.  I really enjoyed working closely with students in that way.

Tejash: Wellness is an important issue for all members. The WCBA’s Task Force on Well-Being issued a report with its recommendations. How do you manage your physical and/or mental health? 

Kapila: The most important thing I do for my mental health is to prioritize time with my family – my husband and two teenaged children, as well as my parents and extended family (most of whom live in Westchester).  I also try to remain active and squeeze walks, runs, and other workouts into my week.