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05/11/2016 08:30 AMEver since Alana D’Auria can remember, she has wanted to be a lawyer. After years of schooling, first in East Haven and then through college and law school, Alana passed the bar exam last fall to realize her childhood dream.
“I remember my mom watching Law & Order and she always jokes that has something to do with it—I’m the first lawyer in my family,” says Alana, who now practices at DeChello Law Firm in North Haven. “Having wanted this for so long, it’s hard to believe I am finally a lawyer now.”
Alana grew up in East Haven, attending St. Vincent de Paul when she was young and later graduating from East Haven High School. With the goal of one day attending law school in mind, Alana worked hard in school and found another great support system, in addition to her parents Alan and Joann D'Auria and the rest of her family, at school.
“I had a great experience and got a great education in East Haven that helped me to do well in college and then in law school,” says Alana. “I had so many great teachers and advisors there.”
After high school, Alana graduated Albertus Magnus College magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She enjoyed her experience at Albertus so much that her future goals include teaching a college law class.
“I loved Albertus because it was such a great school,” says Alana. “It was a smaller community that allowed us to work one-on-one with the staff, who were always encouraging you, writing letters of recommendation, and following them up. I would love to teach there, or at a college level anywhere, one day.”
She went on in May 2015 to receive her doctor of jurisprudence from New England Law of Boston, where she graduated with honors. During law school, Alana was a member of various organizations including the Harvard Law School mock trial competition and was an active in the Boston Bar Association as well as the American Bar Association. She also participated in legal clinics and did pro bono work.
“The internships I did in college were very inspiring and those experiences really help to prepare you for practicing,” says Alana. “It was amazing to go to school in Boston.”
While at law school, Alana met her fiancé, Nick DeChello, who was traveling to Boston from North Haven for work. While Nick works in finance, his dad, Tony, has been practicing law for three decades.
“Nick helps me with everything and has been very encouraging,” says Alana, noting they have a November wedding planned and will soon move into a new home in North Haven. “Tony has been such a mentor to me and it’s great to work with him and learn from him every day.”
After law school, Alana returned to East Haven, being admitted into the Connecticut Bar Association and joining the New Haven County Young Lawyers Association. Last summer, Alana spent two months studying for the two-day bar exam.
“I didn’t have a summer last year, but it was definitely worth it,” says Alana, who enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with family and friends. “I was so happy to pass it the first time—it was the best feeling and my best accomplishment yet.”
Since joining DeChello Law Firm, Alana has shifted her focus to wills, trusts, and estate law. While she didn’t have experience in that particular area of law during her internships, she has found something she is passionate about.
“It is such a unique area because you are working with families who are dealing with some of the most difficult areas of planning as they are making plans for their assets and planning for future generations,” says Alana. “I like that you work with families over a longer time and are able to build relationships.”
Alana is happy to have achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer. She is thankful for the support she received from her family and the education she received in East Haven and throughout college.
“It is so exciting to start my career,” says Alana. “I try to remind people that if you work hard, you can definitely achieve your goals. I had that determination and my goal was always to become a lawyer and I just always tried to work toward that goal.”