The journeys of Joseph Bogosian, J.D. ’92, and Julien Apollon, J.D. ’15, have been marked by leadership, service, and a commitment to making a difference, which exemplifies the values of the University of Miami School of Law community. From Bogosian’s transformation from law school leader to global aerospace executive to Apollon’s evolution from a passionate advocate for social justice to trusted General Counsel for Safran Defense & Space, Inc., their stories are a testament to the power of mentorship, resilience, and the enduring strength of Miami Law’s network.
Bogosian, the first of his family to attend college, went to Georgetown University. Upon graduation, he worked in the U.S. Congress and considered graduate school but was unsure whether to pursue an MBA or a J.D. He moved back to Miami to be closer to family and worked for Steel Hector & Davis LLP (now Squire, Sanders & Dempsey), which inspired him to attend law school.
Apollon was born a ‘Cane, with his father having attended Miami Law. Apollon was inspired by his father’s career as general counsel at UPS, allowing him to travel worldwide. After graduating from Georgetown (like Bogosian) with a degree in foreign service, Apollon became interested in international law and politics and decided to attend Miami Law.
While at Miami Law, Bogosian served as president of the Student Bar Association. He wanted to make a difference and, as president, undertook a complete revision of the bylaws and constitution and restructured the Senate, adding a committee system. He also established a Students Bill of Rights and created the Minority Affairs Committee to promote positive change and increase handicap accessibility on campus.
Apollon served as vice president of the International Law Society and Managing Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review. He also participated in the Health Rights Clinic, representing multiple underrepresented clients before the Social Security Administration. During his 3L year, he spent the Fall semester studying abroad at the University of Sao Paulo and worked at a law firm in Sao Paulo, Brazil, gaining valuable international experience.
During his 3L year, Bogosian realized he did not want to be a lawyer upon graduation. As SBA president, he connected with the Dean of Students, who introduced him to Russ Jollivette, J.D. ‘80, in Washington, D.C. An informational interview turned into a job opportunity. Bogosian moved to D.C. to work for the government affairs partner at the Jorden Burt law firm (now Carlton Fields) and then moved to a government and public affairs firm, which shared the University of Miami as a client. He later started his own public affairs firm before joining McGuireWoods in-house to replicate the same business model. He eventually served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the U.S. Department of Commerce and then led the international department of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Today, as President and CEO of Safran Defense & Space, Inc., Bogosian oversees multiple business units that deliver leading-edge technology for the U.S. and its allies to support global security and stability. Safran DSI, a U.S. subsidiary of the Paris-based worldwide aerospace and defense company Safran, recently made significant investments in manufacturing to expand its operations in New Hampshire and New York. It established a new facility in Colorado while supporting existing sites in Georgia and California, among others.
Bogosian established a scholarship for Miami Law and traveled to the school to meet the scholarship recipient and a group of students to give advice and discuss life after law school. One year, among that group, was Apollon, who asked Bogosian if they could keep in touch for career advice and questions. During Apollon’s summer after graduation, he visited family in France and met Bogosian for crepes outside Safran’s France office.
During law school, Apollon worked for Rivero Mestre and clerked for Judge Cook. Upon passing the bar, he received offers from Bogosian to work at Safran and Skadden. He went to work for Safran for a year and a half and loved the experience, but wanted to gain firm experience, so he went to work at Skadden and Mayer Brown before starting his practice. In April 2024, he returned to Safran DSI as General Counsel.
What stands out to Bogosian about Miami Law is the course Elements—he says that it benefits you for your entire life and trains your mind to address a story and find a solution. The Litigation Skills program has also always resonated with him. He received his first job interview from a Miami Law graduate, a testament to the strength of the school’s network. He also loved taking classes with Professor Gaubatz and, of course, Beer on the Slab.
Apollon finds that the practical training gained at Miami Law is invaluable, as the school provides excellent internship opportunities and practical guidance.
Outside of his career as a lawyer, Apollon loves to play soccer and picked up surfing during his time in Brazil. He has traveled to Senegal, Bali, and Indonesia to surf and hopes to travel to the Philippines soon. He is also an adjunct professor for the Transactional Skills program at Miami Law. Bogosian loves to write fiction in his free time and has written novels and plays. He is also a photographer and took some of the pictures that can be found in the yearbook from his time at Miami Law.
Bogosian and Apollon advise students that things happen in their own time. People have different paths; patience and hard work go a long way. Always pay it forward, appreciate what others do for you, and trust the journey. Together, Bogosian and Apollon embody the values of leadership, mentorship, and service that define the University of Miami community. Their unwavering commitment to mentoring and uplifting others reflects the impact of the Hurricane spirit.
