The daughter of an attorney mother and a businessman father, Erika Pagano, knew from a young age how valuable it could be to have legal and business expertise. She saw the doors that her mother’s career as a lawyer opened for her as a woman and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal arena. Pagano attended Georgetown University as an undergraduate and spent several years working in China before returning to the United States to study law.
Choosing University of Miami School of Law
Having grown up in Florida, Pagano was confident that the University of Miami School of Law was a great fit, and she knew Miami could offer her a vibrant and high-quality lifestyle comparable to her previous home in Shanghai.
While at Miami Law, Pagano was Managing Editor of the University of Miami Law Review, which benefitted her both intellectually and socially and left her with fond memories. She was also a member of the Trial Team, where she gained valuable advocacy skills that she still uses today. Pagano participated in LawWithoutWalls (LWOW), led by Professor Michele DeStefano, in its second year, traveling to Switzerland. That same year, she also participated in the law school’s Leipzig Exchange in Germany. She was also a Shapiro Scholar and James Weldon Johnson/Robert H. Waters Summer Institute fellow, led by Professor Irwin P. Stotzky.
Embracing Innovation at Miami Law
During Pagano’s time in law school, the concept of innovation in law was very new. Professor DeStefano was a leader in that movement, and she and former Dean Patricia White offered Pagano an innovation fellowship to start exploring the field. The fellowship became a six-year position at Miami Law, where Pagano researched innovation in the global legal profession and served as a faculty member and Director of LWOW. She then moved to London as Head of Legal Innovation and Design for Simmons & Simmons, leading the world’s only 100% client-facing legal design team at a large, global law firm. In 2023, Pagano relocated to the Madrid office, which she now calls home.
What stands out most to Pagano about Miami Law is the enthusiasm and support the faculty, administration, librarians, assistants, IT, etc., have for the students. She strongly believes the Miami Law community will go out of their way to open doors for their students. As an alum, Pagano is a member of the National Advisory Council and the LWOW Advisory Board. She stays current on LinkedIn, speaking to, mentoring, and connecting students to opportunities. She maintains a great friendship with Professor Marcia Narine Weldon, director of the Transactional Skills Program, who has greatly influenced her life and career.
Pagano loves to travel with her partner in her free time—their goal is to find the best beach possible. They have three Pekingese dogs, one of which is a rescue she found in Miami Beach. She teaches at a university in Madrid and serves on the board of the Georgetown Foundation of Spain, providing scholarships and social mobility. Pagano advises students to be grateful and open because you never know what’s around the corner.
