Tanya Kitaigorovski '18

Tanya Kitaigorovski '18, is currently employed as an Associate Attorney at Intercontinental Exchange. The Intercontinental Exchange is an American Fortune 500 company that operates global exchanges, clearing houses and provides mortgage technology, data and listing services. The company owns exchanges for financial and commodity markets and operates 12 regulated exchanges and marketplaces.

Why did you choose Seton Hall Law to pursue your legal education (what is your Seton Hall Law Story)?

I chose Seton Hall Law ("SHL") because of its alumni. After starting law school in another NYC-area law school, I transferred to SHL as a 2L. During my 1L summer internship, Jill Bier '07, one of the attorneys I was working with at CBOE Global Markets, spoke about all the opportunities that SHL afforded her and how it helped her advance professionally. I talked to her about my professional aspirations and what kind of an attorney I wanted to be, and she suggested that I apply to transfer to SHL, so I did.

You were heavily involved in the Student Veteran Association, what were some of the things the association focused on?

I became a part of the Student Veteran Association ("SVA") after a classmate (and now a close friend) of mine, Jason Castle '18, who was president of the SVA at the time, suggested I join. Once he stepped down, I became the president of the association and started working on improving it. Being a student and a veteran is hard; not only do you have to adjust to being a law student, but you also have to adjust to being a civilian again and find a new support network. When you're in the military, you have a built-in support system and a chain of command that will ensure that you are squared away, but when you are in law school you have to figure out everything on your own. The SVA tried to help with that. We were the support network for other veterans and made sure that they knew how to navigate law school. I still try to reach out to current SHL students who are veterans and make sure that they know that they are supported.

How has your service guided your career in the law, what has inspired this work or passion?

My military service has taught me that knowing the law is power. I had an issue with one of the people in my chain of command who thought that I was violating a rule, AR 670-1 (the army regulation on appearance and grooming), and tried to get me in trouble for it. I assumed that because that person outranked me, I just had to accept the fact that I was violating the rule even though I knew I wasn't. Someone in my unit suggested that I look up the regulation and read it for myself. I did and I was right. I did not violate the rule. That experience taught me the power the law has in helping you stand up for yourself and others.

Are you originally from the mid-west where you attended college? What made you want to come to the greater NYC area?

I had never been to the States before moving to Kirksville, Missouri to attend Truman State University.

I grew up in both Israel and Ukraine. I spent my last two years of high school in Kyiv, Ukraine and I graduated from Kyiv International School. In my senior year of high school, my homeroom teacher was from Ottumwa, Iowa and he suggested that I apply to Truman State University because of their stellar academic reputation and financial aid to international students.

After graduation, I moved with some friends to NYC because of the vibrant immigrant communities, fast pace life, and multinationalism I grew up with.

Was there a class or faculty member that was instrumental in your legal career and trajectory? If not are their classes of faculty you were particularly fond of?

The most instrumental faculty member for me was Professor David White. We are still very close, and he is a mentor of mine. He took the time to teach me how to be a lawyer, a professional, and a mentor to others.

Although I never took her classes or participated in her clinics, Professor Lori Borgen, helped me navigate the application process at the New Jersey Attorney General's Office during my 3L year. And now I work with her on various Delaware-New Jersey National Lawyers Guild projects.

Looking back, how has Seton Hall Law prepared you to serve in the prominent positions you have held?

SHL gave me a network of people that I can always reach out to. When I was still fresh out of law school, I had just started working as a Deputy Attorney General in the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. One day when I was preparing for a last-minute court hearing, the more senior attorneys and my supervisor were out of the office so I called Professor Dennis McLaughlin for advice, which he gladly provided and gave me a refresher course in evidence.

You are involved with alumni groups at your undergrad and with our Veteran's Committee, what fuels your passions for volunteering?

I volunteer because I've had many people in my life help me get to where I am today and I want to pay it forward.

When I left the military, I was unprepared for civilian life—I didn't even know what business casual meant. In my first post military job, I worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission in NYC and worked with many veterans who taught me how to behave in a professional environment, suggested career paths, and provided overall guidance (one of them even took the time to explain mortgages and homeowners insurance policies to me).

I am still committed to volunteering, and I currently volunteer with the Delaware-New Jersey chapter of the National Lawyers Guild.

What advice would you have to veterans applying to law school or those seeking a Military career after law school?

Reach out to people who went to your target school and ask for advice. Most people will gladly speak to you—especially if they are a fellow veteran—about their experiences. I make it a point to reach out to current Seton Hall Law veterans on social media and let them know that I am a resource. If you are a prospective law student please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

To learn more about the Veterans Committee at Seton Hall Law, email [email protected] or call (973) 642-8711.