Millbrook Alumni Office Launches Virtual Networking Series

Since joining the team in April, Millbrook’s new Director of Alumni Engagement Nicolas Ugarte noted many alumni reaching out to express interest in connecting with others working in the same industry. With this need in mind, the Advancement & Alumni Relations Office launched a series of virtual alumni networking events designed to create opportunities for alumni to connect professionally while strengthening the Millbrook community across generations and career stages.

The series officially launched with its first event this fall on October 22, 2025, with a focus on law bringing together 18 alumni lawyers and aspiring lawyers from across the country for a dynamic discussion about the realities, rewards, challenges, and many paths within the legal field.

Three alumni panelists offered a unique window into their specialties:

Squire M. Bozworth ’88, who specializes in criminal law and is based in Oregon City, OR, described the intensity and variety of criminal practice: “My day doesn’t start at the office. It starts at the courthouse. Sometimes I’ll be in three different courthouses in one day, but the variety keeps me engaged.”

Zerline Goodman ’80, who was featured in a recent issue of our school magazine, is a residential real estate attorney based in Brooklyn, NY. She reflected on the personal side of her work: “I’ve learned from every closing. Everyone who buys or sells has something unusual or exciting about their deal…and sometimes it’s the most money they’ve ever seen in their lifetime. There’s always something that keeps it interesting.” She also emphasized the flexibility owning her own practice allows: “One of the things I value most about real estate law is being able to set my own hours. It gives me the ability to run my practice while still making time for my family when needed.”

Caleb King ’13, who works out of New York City, specializes in mergers & acquisitions at a large firm. He spoke about his early motivation to pursue law and how Millbrook’s values shaped him: “Since Millbrook, I’ve carried a deep sense of public service, helping others and contributing back. Even though I’m now in M&A, I still see the private sector as a place where impact can be made.” He also described the dynamic nature of M&A law. “M&A is so intertwined with geopolitical news, the stock market, and global economic shifts. As an M&A lawyer, you have to closely follow these developments and understand how they impact each other to pivot when necessary and successfully move a deal forward. There’s a saying in M&A: ‘Time kills all deals.’ People get cold feet, the stock market crashes, and there are all these different dynamics at play. It’s the lawyer’s job to get things done quickly while managing government, regulatory, and diligence challenges. It’s constant, sometimes tiring, but always exciting.” Finally, he shared a fun story about a deal that almost required him to fly to Milan to hand deliver a document while coordinating a multibillion-dollar transaction involving companies across Belgium, Italy, and France, which provided a bit of insight into what the fast-paced world of M&A law can be like.

Inevitably, the topic of AI and how it’s changing the law industry came up, but the panel emphasized the value of law school in teaching critical thinking and clear communication—skills that never go out of style. Squire noted that AI tools can be useful, but he cautioned that “some lawyers are getting in trouble because AI can hallucinate citations. It’s a reminder technology helps, but it doesn’t replace judgment.”

After the panel, the event segued into breakout rooms where participants could ask questions and share experiences. They discussed several interesting topics, as the groups learned more about the types of law Millbrook alumni practice. One attendee, Edward Scarvalone ’74, remarked, “It was incredible to see Millbrook graduates from so many eras and specialties come together. It really reminded me that this network is strong and growing.”

The Advancement & Alumni Relations Office closed the evening by emphasizing that this event was just the beginning. Future sessions will spotlight fields such as finance, the arts, marketing, design, health care, environmental conservation, tech, hospitality, public service, and more, with the goal of providing more opportunities for alumni to connect, and cultivating a community rooted in professional connection, growth, and mentorship.

One thing is certain: the immense talent represented on the Zoom call speaks highly to the breadth and depth of the Millbrook alumni network and how Millbrook students go on to develop as professionals and leaders in their fields.