From Campus to Courtroom

When political science major Jaslin Vasquez-Gonzalez, BS ’27, began the hunt for a paid internship, she turned to her Hawk network for help. 

As a first-generation college student and first-generation American, Vasquez-Gonzalez has long relied on the Saint Joseph’s University community for guidance. 

“It can feel like I don’t have anybody to turn to, but alumni and my advisers have always reminded me that I do have someone in my corner,” Vasquez-Gonzalez says. 

This team of supporters includes her adviser, Professor of Political Science Susan Liebell, PhD. With the help of the law alumni chapter, Liebell connected her to Ashley Killeen, Esq., BS ’06, a personal injury attorney and one of the partners at KaplunMarx in Philadelphia. After a string of emails and an interview, Vasquez-Gonzalez had the job.

“We can train anybody, but you have to have the passion for it,” Killeen says. “Jaslin seemed to have that passion for wanting to learn and wanting to be in the office, working not only with our partners but also with the staff who are an integral part of our team.” 

The internship, which Vasquez-Gonzalez started in September, has allowed her to get a behind-the-scenes look at personal injury law. One of her tasks has been sending out letters of representation, which let insurance companies and hospitals know where to send documentation for legal claims. 

“I’m learning so much about the law, about personal injury specifically, and about what the day-to-day at a law firm looks like,” Vasquez-Gonzalez says. “I had never considered personal injury law before, but now I’m definitely considering it as a career.” 

Killeen has been a mentor for Vasquez-Gonzalez as she begins her foray into the world of law. 

“Ashley has been super supportive, welcoming and encouraging,” Vasquez-Gonzalez says. “I can ask a million questions and she won’t ever make me feel like I’m asking stupid questions. It doesn’t even have to be about work. We have long conversations about school and about my classes.” 

Killeen has tried her best to ensure that the internship is a valuable learning experience for Vasquez-Gonzalez.

“I’ve been in jobs and internships where you get hired and then when you start on day one, you really do feel like you’re floating out there with no one to bounce your ideas off of or to ask questions,” Killeen says. “I would never want anyone to feel that way.” 

She wants to make sure that Vasquez-Gonzalez has the chance to see all sides of the law world, including future trips to the courtroom. 

According to Liebell, alumni across the law field have a long history of lending a helping hand to current Hawks — including within SJU LEAD, a program for students of color with an interest in law, which Vasquez-Gonzalez utilizes. 

“One of the things people say about why they came to Saint Joseph’s has to do with the warmth and concern for them as an individual that they felt when they came to Admitted Students Day or other events,” Liebell says. “That spirit on campus of friendliness and of engagement carries over with the alumni. They remember that very fondly.” 

Vasquez-Gonzalez has felt the love.

“I’ve been to a couple of pre-law events, and the lawyers are always so willing to give advice and give their business cards for if we ever need anything,” Vasquez-Gonzalez adds. “I don’t know if I would have that same experience at a different school.” 

Killeen hopes Hawks will continue to pay it forward. 

“I am so grateful to those who came before me and helped me and I want to do the same for others,” she says. “I want students at Saint Joseph’s to know that the community doesn’t disappear when you get your diploma. That’s only the beginning.” 

For Liebell, this care represents the Saint Joseph’s way. 

“This idea of cura personalis, it’s not just a slogan,” Liebell says. “It’s the way we do business.”