IS US

ROSLYN (ROZ) QUARTO ’88 Director of Strategic Initiatives The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

St. John’s Law taught Roz Quarto how to think, analyze, and solve complicated problems. For over 30 years, she has used those skills in practicing law, building her own practice, and serving the community through leadership positions in the nonprofit, government, and education sectors. Now, she continues to employ them in her latest role as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

“I provide high-level planning, project management, and analytical support for key strategic initiatives, including leadership of growth opportunities for Legal Aid,” says Quarto. “My projects include developing processes to implement our new strategic plan, building out our infrastructure to accommodate growth, and negotiating partnership agreements with community partners to increase our impact. Although I’m no longer practicing law and representing clients, I collaborate closely with our attorneys to help them tackle systemic issues that perpetuate racism and poverty.”

That collaboration is the best part of her job, Quarto shares. “I get to work with attorneys in all stages of their careers and in all our practice groups to better understand the needs of our clients and their communities. We have so many committed attorneys across our five-county footprint and practice areas. They are simply the best!” During her off hours, Quarto brings that same enthusiasm to a very different venue.

“My main interest outside of work, besides spending time with my family and friends, is playing tournament poker,” she says. “Many of the skills I’ve developed as an attorney, from being able to approach problems analytically to reading people to discern if they’re being honest, have helped me to become a fairly successful poker player.” Quarto’s ability to size up matters quickly and trust her intuition also informs her outlook on life in, and beyond, the law.

“I encourage myself and others to say ‘yes’ more often, especially when it seems the most scary,” she says. “You never know where different opportunities will take you, even if those opportunities don’t seem to fit into your plan. Some of the best life experiences happen outside of what we plan.”

REGINALD M. RASCH ’95

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

Look down on most crowded streets and you’ll see feet representing Wolverine World Wide, Inc. as they sport Hush Puppies, Keds, Merrell, Saucony, and Sperry shoes, among other well-known brands. Representing the global footwear, apparel, and accessories marketer in legal and business dealings is its Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, Reginald Rasch.

Rasch came to St. John’s curious about how lawyers impact the business world. “I found my Contracts coursework fascinating, learned about corporate structures in Business Organizations, and covered key concepts in Corporate Finance, Corporate Tax, and Creditors Rights,” he says. “Those courses gave me a solid foundation to enter professional life and pursue a career as a corporate attorney and an in-house business lawyer.”

At Wolverine, Rasch oversees legal affairs as General Counsel. “I work with our brands to negotiate customer and supplier relationships, comply with securities laws and other applicable laws, and protect intellectual property rights,” he explains. He also advises human resources on employment matters; helps to advance environmental, social, and governance initiatives; handles the legal execution of mergers and acquisitions; and manages disputes and litigation. Wearing his Secretary hat, Rasch guides Wolverine’s Board of Directors and management on corporate governance. As Senior Vice President, he is a member of the company’s executive leadership team, responsible for driving corporate strategy.

It’s demanding, but gratifying work. “I most enjoy engaging in activities that help generate revenue for our business, including negotiating agreements with our retail customers and product distributors,” Rasch says. “I also enjoy working on mergers and acquisitions that support our strategic objectives. I get to weigh in on critical business issues and provide value beyond just advising on legal matters.”

As he fulfills diverse responsibilities at Wolverine, Rasch still takes the time to cycle, run, and cheer on St. John’s basketball. He values being well-rounded in life and in the law, and those values resonate in his advice to aspiring attorneys: “Take that extra elective; join Moot Court; become a teaching assistant; write for a publication. Those experiences will broaden your horizons, help you develop critical thinking skills, and bring a nuanced perspective to problem-solving, which will ultimately help you become a more thoughtful and impactful lawyer.”

EDDA SANTIAGO ’14 Vice President, Corporate Counsel Covenant House International

As an attorney, Edda Santiago uses her legal skills to champion her values and uplift her community. Among her core beliefs is that everyone deserves a place to call home that is safe and affordable. Today, she carries that conviction forward as Vice President, Corporate Counsel at Covenant House International, a nonprofit that provides housing and services to children and young people experiencing homelessness and to survivors of human trafficking in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

“I support all of Covenant House’s legal operations,” says Santiago. “My day-to-day work ranges from standard contract negotiations to sophisticated real estate transactions, tax and regulatory questions, charitable contributions and planned giving strategies, employment law matters, and internal investigations, among other issues. I work closely with our board and its committees. I also use my Spanish speaking skills to support our Latin American sites and have traveled extensively to the region.”

For Santiago, being an integral part of an organization at the forefront of addressing the country’s housing and homelessness crisis is the fulfillment of a dream she started to realize at St. John’s Law. “All the courses I took and the student groups I helped to lead at the Law School shaped my legal career in one way or another,” she shares. “The courses prepared me to think as a lawyer and be a more effective writer. The student organizations not only provided a necessary balance to academic demands, but also opened many doors and friendships that have carried me during my most challenging personal and professional moments.”

Santiago also finds fulfillment outside of work. “I enjoy swimming, running, taking fitness classes, dining with friends, volunteering in the community, mentoring youth, being involved in local politics, serving on nonprofit boards, traveling, and spending time with family,” she says.

Having created a meaningful life in, and beyond, the law, Santiago embodies the guidance she offers the next generation of St. John’s lawyers: “Take charge of your legal education and career. Don’t be limited by what others think your journey should look like. While you should be open to advice, have the confidence to make the decisions that make sense to you, even when others doubt you.”

STEPHANIE S. TAN ’18 Deputy Public Defender San Francisco Public Defender’s Office

Considering the advice she would give to St. John’s Law students, Stephanie Tan is quick to reply: “Figure out what you love and work hard to be great at it.” She has followed her own advice to build a gratifying career in the public interest and, today, she serves as a Deputy Public Defender in the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.

Tan’s professional journey has come full circle from her 1L summer, when she interned at the same Bay Area office. Then, as a 2L, she participated in the Law School’s Criminal Defense Clinic (now the Defense and Advocacy Clinic), which was a formative experience. “I spent a significant amount of time at Legal Aid in Queens working with attorneys, speaking with clients, and participating in investigations,” Tan says. “In addition to helping me practice and grow my lawyering skills, the clinic professors mentored me while I pursued a career as a public defender.”

In her current role, Tan spends most of her time in court representing people who can’t afford an attorney after they have been formally charged in a criminal case. “I’m appointed by the court and, after arraignment, I discuss the charges with my client, review the police report, and discuss possible defenses,” she explains. “I then work with an investigator to interview witnesses, gather surveillance, and subpoena documents or people. I also work with paralegals to request client and witness records. My court appearances range from prehearing conferences, motions for release, preliminary hearings, trials, and other court proceedings related to criminal cases.”

Tan enjoys the work, especially the client interactions. “I learn about the client’s background and life experiences,” she shares. “That helps me to better represent them in court, because I’m able to understand them as a person. It also helps the judge, prosecutor, and jury better understand things from my client’s perspective.”

Even on her strong record of realizing professional goals and finding meaning in the law, Tan is realistic in adding to the advice she would offer aspiring attorneys. “Not every part of being a lawyer is enjoyable,” she observes. “But the parts that you love will keep you motivated.”