Samantha DeSousa joined Kelly, Rode & Kelly, LLP as a law clerk in 2020 and was admitted to the New York State Bar shortly thereafter. Ms. DeSousa obtained a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and Psychology with a minor in Political Science from Roger Williams University in 2017. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2019.
Ms. DeSousa was a member of Hofstra’s Trial Advocacy Association. During her first semester of law school, Ms. DeSousa won the Hofstra Trial Advocacy Intramural competition. Ms. DeSousa also competed on Hofstra’s Trial Advocacy’s Interscholastic team in Washington D.C. While in law school, she was an Associate Editor for the American College of Trust & Estates Counsel (ACTEC) law journal.
Ms. DeSousa worked as a legal intern at Hofstra’s Community and Economic Development clinic where she drafted corporate bylaws, assisted non-profit organizations in applying for tax exemptions, and counseled clients on choice of entity decisions. Before joining the firm, Ms. DeSousa also worked at a labor and employment firm where she gained writing and research skills.
Outside of legal practice, Ms. DeSousa enjoys dancing, running, being out on the water and spending time with her friends and family.