The Ethics & DEI Master Class

ElevateLaw CLE is dedicated to delivering transformative learning experiences for legal professionals through its masterclass series. With a focus on contemporary issues and best practices, our courses provide in-depth analysis, strategic insights, and practical skills. ElevateLaw’s masterclasses equip attorneys with the expertise to thrive in a rapidly changing legal environment.

Kevin McElroy joined the faculty in the summer of 2006 initially teaching Appellate Advocacy. Since then, in addition to teaching the required first year Legal Analysis, Writing and Research classes each semester, he has taught a number of courses including Federal Civil Procedure and Selected Problems in New York Civil Procedure. Kevin also teaches a variety of courses designed to give the students instruction and practical experience in both writing and litigation skills such as the written discovery stage of a lawsuit and the taking and defending of deposition. In both 2015 and 2020 he was selected as the law school’s Teacher of the Year. In addition to teaching at Hofstra he serves on a pro bono basis as a court appointed arbitrator in fee disputes between attorneys and their clients. He has consulted with New York State Board of Law Examiners on potential future essay questions by providing input on the appropriateness of proposed essay questions. Kevin serves as the law school’s representative in the Hofstra University Senate. He has judged the Moot Court competitions on a regular basis for a number of years and has lectured to third year students on preparing for specific areas of law covered on the Uniform Bar Examination. He is also the Faculty Advisor for the Irish Law Society. Prior to teaching at Hofstra Kevin represented clients before federal and state courts across the country since being admitted to the New York Bar in 1987 including a significant number of cases involving employment law matters, contracts and toxic torts. He has also served as an Administrative Law Judge on matters arising under state and local health laws. His writings have been published in a number of legal periodicals including The National Law Journal, The New York Law Journal and The Fordham Environmental Law Reporter. He has spoken on litigation topics at events sponsored by the Defense Research Institution and the New York State Bar Association and recently delivered a lecturer at the Nassau County Bar Association on the developments in the last year in the field of New York State Court Practice under the Civil Practice Law and Rules.

Nonprofit attorney with administrative, operational, and budget expertise. Former criminal and civil prosecutor. Lecturer and public speaker on municipal labor policy, including government theory and actions on how best to protect vulnerable workers. Represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in criminal cases before the Quincy District Court, Woburn District Court, and Massachusetts Appeals Court. Represented the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection in civil cases before the New York State Supreme Court and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Testified before the New York City Council while serving as Associate Commissioner of NYC's Office of Labor Policy and Standards, including on proposed legislation to protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Admitted to practice law in New York, Massachusetts, and California.

Alexa Millinger is an associate with the Litigation group at Hinckley Allen. Her experience includes complex business and contract disputes, employment and intellectual property cases, internal investigations, and matters involving First Amendment & Media law. She is a strong and talented litigator with experience across various courts, states, and specialties. Alexa brings extensive knowledge of the effective use of substantive and procedural mechanisms to effectively litigate and/or expeditiously resolve disputes. Alexa is especially adept at First Amendment & Media law, crafting compelling arguments in defamation lawsuits, conducting pre-publication review of articles and editorials to protect clients, and pursuing access to information under the Freedom of Information Act. She has litigated First Amendment cases for several of the largest media outlets in the country, including newspapers, television networks, digital platforms, and individual reporters. Additionally, Alexa is experienced in energy litigation, where her skills were pivotal to the successful representation of clients in environmental regulatory compliance cases, including offshore wind companies in Rhode Island. Alexa brings a distinct ability to form strong relationships with clients, creating trust, and open dialogue to the firm and her clients, leading to more effective representation. Her empathy also extends into the community, where she engages in pro bono work for Connecticut Statewide Legal Aid, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government. She also serves as the vice chair of the Women in the Law and Media Law sections of the Connecticut Bar. Alexa is also fluent in Spanish and is a member of the bar in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York State. She has been named a Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation — Intellectual Property, Litigation — Labor and Employment, and Privacy and Data Security, and named in Super Lawyers® Rising Stars — Business Litigation.

Ms. Zastrow’s expertise and experience combined with her well-developed business acumen allows her to quickly understand a client’s business and legal matters from their perspective. Her practice includes matters relating to complex litigation in state and federal court as well as alternative dispute resolution in all areas of business and employment law, with additional emphasis in defending professionals including attorneys, brokers and dentists before licensing boards as well as: Insurance defense litigation, with special emphasis on professional malpractice, including defense of medical doctors, dentists, attorneys and accountants. Insurance Coverage investigation and analysis. Malpractice defense in civil litigation. Routine appearances and representations before the EEOC, NERC, DETR, Nevada Dental Board and other administrative entities. Business transactions including lease and general contract negotiations. General counsel. Advising clients in all areas of complex business and professional licensing matters. Premise liability and employment litigation defense. Significant experience in other areas including various high profile and confidential business disputes, contract review, labor and employment law and constitutional law. Duties include managing clients and independent case load, motion practice, depositions and lead first chair trial counsel.

Nandar Win Kerr is a Mental Health First Aider, Mindfulness teacher, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant. She is also a Vice Chair of the Asian American Bar Association of New York's (AABANY's) Professional Development Committee. Nandar co-presented in New York City Bar Association's Mindfulness and Well-Being Toolkit panel and PLI's Diversity & Inclusion in Law Practice 2022 panel. She is also co-presenting in a monthly CLE course, Interrupting Implicit Bias: Promoting Wellness and Inclusive Leadership with the Power of Mindfulness through TRTCLE. She has a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Law and Justice from Fordham Law School, a B.A in Public Affairs from SUNY Empire State College, and an LL.B. from Yangon University, Myanmar, where she was later licensed as an attorney. She received Fordham's Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award for her dedication and achievements in pro bono and public interest work.

Abayomi Ajaiyeoba (“Yomi”), Nigerian born and raised in New York City, is an attorney who has practiced law primarily in the public sector for over seventeen years. She is a thought leader who champions diversity, equity, and belonging and is passionate about fostering positive work environments and communities for everyone. She believes in the power of joy, which she infuses in her mindfulness, restorative justice, wellness, and holistic practices. She empowers and services communities through her active involvement in various nonprofit organizations. Yomi graduated from Rutgers School of Law-Newark in May 2004, where she was an associate editor of the Race and the Law Review. She received her B.A. from Connecticut College, graduating cum laude with distinction in Psychology and a Helen Lehman Buttenweiser scholar. She has a featured essay in the publication Conquering the Bar Exam, Insight for First Generation and Minority Law Students and graduates. In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring law students, singing, meditating, Bollywood Zumba, African dance, event planning, traveling, and writing poetry and short stories.