Dear Law Alumni,

The Quinnipiac University School of Law Alumni Association is pleased to announce the honorees of the third annual alumni awards.  Please join me in congratulating the recipients of these awards.

• President’s Award: Jonathan McMeen, JD ’03

  Jon McMeen, Assistant Prosecutor at the Sussex County, NJ Prosecutor's Office, is a truly deserving candidate for the QUSL Alumni Association's President's Award, representing the ultimate test of professional resolve. In April 2023, Jon faced a horrific and unprovoked assault by a former defendant, an act that resulted in a shattered jaw and extensive recovery.  This violence was a direct, brutal challenge to the integrity of the legal system and a personal threat meant to silence a prosecutor.  Jon's response, however, was a powerful act of professional defiance.  Despite the trauma, he immediately returned to the work he loves.  Crucially, he demonstrated an unshakeable lack of fear by continuing his prosecutions, refusing to be intimidated by the very individual who attempted to end his life or by any similar threat.  His determination embodies the principle that a lawyer should never be intimidated and that the administration of justice will always prevail. Jon sustained the principles of his profession under fire, proving that the legal system is stronger than any single act of violence.  This profound resilience and his continued, courageous commitment to upholding the law make him an exemplary choice for this honor.

• Inclusive Excellence Award: Jennifer Rawlings, JD ‘15

  Jennifer is a Senior Contracts Manager at Yale and Co-Director of the Center for Indigenous People’s Rights (CIPR). CIPR is a nonprofit Indigenous-led organization that provides free and low-cost legal services and critical nation-building technical assistance to Indigenous peoples and Indigenous nations. In addition to its work to ensure justice and equity for Indigenous peoples and nations, CIPR is dedicated to expanding the pipeline of Indigenous peoples in the legal field. Jennifer plays a central role in CIPR’s work, providing pro bono legal services to indigenous communities and helping to create pathways for indigenous students seeking entry to the legal profession.  Jennifer is a member of Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, an adjunct professor at QUSL, and last April facilitated a conversation with Mohegan Tribe Vice Chairperson Sarah E. Harris  as part of QU’s Critical Conversation series. She amply deserves the Law Alumni Association’s Inclusive Excellence Award.

• Entrepreneurial Award: Massimo Iori, JD ‘97

  Max leads Morgan Stanley’s global legal team focused on the intersection of technology, innovation, and regulation. His work spans new and emerging technology, including generative AI, intellectual property, cybersecurity, data privacy, sourcing, operations, and corporate real estate law. He also covers technology commercialization, social media/marketing, and third-party/vendor regulatory matters across a global footprint that includes New York, Atlanta, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, and Mumbai.

  When Max graduated from QUSL in 1997, he envisioned becoming a “tech lawyer” in an era when most people had no idea what that meant. Technology businesses were booming, but in 1997 technology legal practice was in its nascency. Max entered the field two years before the “dot-com bubble” burst, and in 1999, as the market shifted dramatically, he transitioned out of his role. Rather than giving up on his dream of practicing tech law, Max launched his own practice in New York City, building client relationships that led, in 2005, to an in-house position at JPMorgan Chase. Max rose through the ranks to become Managing Director and Associate General Counsel before moving to Morgan Stanley in 2018.

  Along the way, Max earned a master’s degree in business administration in information technology from the University of Connecticut School of Business and returned to QUSL to serve two terms as president of the Law Alumni Association. Max famously was the face of QUSL on Metro North, where he appeared on posters at the request of the Admissions Office.  Max continues to serve on the Law Alumni Association’s E-Board in addition to serving on various boards related to his chosen field of technology law. His determination and forward-looking attitude—especially in navigating the legal complexities of generative AI—aptly represent the qualities honored by the Law Alumni Association’s Entrepreneurial Award.

• Service to the Community Award: Rebecca Iannantuoni, JD ‘99

  Rebecca is a partner at Day Pitney in New Haven, where she represents fiduciaries, handles estate administration, and advises high net worth individuals and families regarding all aspects of estate planning, with a particular focus on elder law and planning for persons with special needs. After graduating from QUSL’s evening program in 1999, Rebecca managed a solo practice for several years. Before becoming a partner at Day Pitney, Rebecca served as a practice manager for the New Haven Individual Client’s Department. She also served as chief clerk of the Waterbury Regional Children’s Probate Court, where she co-founded the Waterbury Truancy Clinic designed to determine and address the systemic causes of elementary students’ absences. Throughout her career, Rebecca has frequently lectured on topics including special needs trusts, Medicaid planning, elder law issues, and truancy prevention in elementary schools.

  For the last decade, Rebecca has used her expertise to work pro bono for the palliative and geriatric medical-legal partnerships at the Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy at Yale Law School. Through this partnership, she provides pro bono legal services to patients with life-limiting illnesses and health-harming legal issues. In addition to providing vital assistance for these clients, she has also supervised dozens of Yale Law Students in their work.  Rebecca prides herself on her family as much as she does on her career. Among her children is her son Matthew, a 3L at QUSL who will clerk after graduation for the CT Appellate Court.

Thank you to all the members of our community who submitted nominations. We look forward to celebrating on November 13!

Adam Swanson, JD ’08
President, Law Alumni Association

Dear fellow alumni:

I am honored to be President of the Quinnipiac University School of Law Alumni Association.  I hope you will join me and our board members as we work to grow this very special community.  The practice of law is at times isolating, but here, as a member of our Quinnipiac law alumni community, you will always be at home and add value to your professional practice.

Please join us throughout the year as we work to strengthen our alumni community.  We each benefitted from the excellent education we received at Quinnipiac and the connections we made as students.  Our connection as a community did not end at graduation—it was just the beginning.  As a member of the Quinnipiac law alumni community you can enrich the bonds you forged as a student and create new connections and opportunities. 

We have several meetings throughout the year where we collaborate with the law school faculty to develop new ideas and to learn about the law school’s initiatives.  You are welcome to join these meetings either virtually or in-person.  We also host several social networking events throughout the year in communities where alumni are located where you can reconnect with former classmates or make new connections within our growing law alumni community.  To keep yourself informed of all law school alumni events, please share your email address and phone number with the Law Development and Alumni Affairs office.

Above all, I want to make the Quinnipiac University School of Law Alumni Association more meaningful for you, for the law students, and for the law school.  I invite you to please email me at ASwanson@mccarter.com if you have ideas for programming, if you have comments, or if you just want to say hello.  

I am grateful to serve you and to lead this great Quinnipiac law alumni community.  I look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you soon! 

Adam Swanson, JD '08
President, Law Alumni Association