November 5, 2025 – Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hampden District Attorney’s Office and Western New England University (WNE) School of Law have welcomed the 2025–2026 class of the Future Lawyers of Springfield (FLOS) program, which held its first few meetings this fall.

This year’s cohort includes 50 students representing high school, college, and law school levels, all interested in exploring careers in law, criminal justice, and public service.

The FLOS program is a collaborative partnership between the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and WNE School of Law. Students meet biweekly, alternating between sessions held at the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and the law school. Through these meetings, participants gain hands-on exposure to the justice system, mentorship from attorneys, and a deeper understanding of the law in practice.

The program’s first session, held on October 2, was opened by Tony Simmons, Director of the DA’s Office’s Community Safety and Outreach Unit, who welcomed students and outlined the goals of the initiative. Dean of the WNE School of Law, Zelda B. Harris, followed with remarks on the importance of the partnership and shared insights into what makes a legal education at WNE unique. Students also heard from Assistant District Attorneys Jeffrey Clarke and Elizabeth Simonian, who will serve as mentors throughout the year. Both discussed their roles within the DA’s Office, their personal paths to prosecution, and the importance of pursuing legal careers with purpose and integrity.

The second session, held later in October, featured a panel discussion with three distinguished legal professionals who shared their experiences across very different areas of the law — from civil rights and advocacy work to corporate law and academia.

Panelists included:

• Dean Erin Buzuvis, Professor of Law at WNE School of Law, who researches and writes about gender and discrimination in education and athletics. She reflected on Title IX’s successes and ongoing challenges, as well as the legal and cultural barriers LGBTQ+ athletes continue to face.
• Attorney Mariam Aydah, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who discussed current legal challenges facing Muslim communities and the balance between litigation and advocacy. She emphasized the power of “fighting ignorance with education.”
• Attorney Stefan Sjoberg, of Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, who addressed misconceptions about corporate and transactional law, highlighting how he finds fulfillment working with small businesses and entrepreneurs — a stark contrast to his earlier experience representing large corporations.

The panelists answered questions on their career paths, the most rewarding and challenging aspects of their work, how the legal field is evolving, and what skills will be most vital for the next generation of attorneys. They also offered candid advice about maintaining balance and preventing burnout in a demanding profession.

All three emphasized the value of shadowing and networking as ways to explore various areas of the law. They reassured students that it’s normal not to know their niche right away and encouraged them to seek diverse experiences to discover what aligns best with their interests and strengths.

“Programs like FLOS create an invaluable bridge between education and real-world experience,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “By engaging young people early in their academic and professional journeys, we help cultivate a generation of future lawyers who are grounded in ethics, empathy, and community service.”