In fourth grade, Daria Pietropaolo stood before her teachers, classmates, and parents at her elementary school in Concord-Carlisle, Massachusetts, to read her essay, "Why I want to be a lawyer." In it, she explains that she enjoys problem-solving and helping people.
Fifteen years later, Pietropaolo, after completing a B.A. in political science and an independent major in restorative justice, and a J.D./LL.M. in international arbitration at the University of Miami School of Law, is a rising star as a business litigation attorney with extensive training in international arbitration. Pietropaolo currently practices at Shook, Hardy & Bacon with a focus on business law and commercial, data privacy, and product liability disputes.
Pietropaolo never wavered from her 10-year-old self's dream, and other experiences would further cement her decision. "My dad, who is a lawyer, was there when I read my essay," Pietropaolo said. "I saw the joy and meaning and purpose he has gotten out of his work and how much he loves the law."
In middle school, she would become family friends with a priest from Rwanda who survived the genocide during the country’s 1994 Civil War. "He taught me a lot about the power of reconciliation and the importance, in certain circumstances, of out-of-court remedies for justice," she said. "That was something that was extremely interesting to me, and in a very different way, it led me to search of alternative dispute resolution methods," she said. "He is still, I think, very much an inspiration and an influence in my life, and even though it's sort of taken more of a commercial turn. I think those themes still ring true."
While a Foote Fellow and a 3+3 joint degree undergraduate at the University of Miami, Pietropaolo served as a judicial intern and a teaching assistant to the University's Judge-in-Residence, Miami Circuit Court Judge Ellen S. Venzer, J.D. '87. She also ran cross-country and track for the University of Miami Athletics.
Additionally, she studied abroad in Rome, taking classes in alternative dispute resolution, including one about negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. "I found that I had an interest in arbitration and cross-border disputes," she said. Pietropaolo finds it fulfilling to work to “solve problems with people that have different experiences, different backgrounds, and therefore, different approaches to and interpretations of the law."
At the School of Law, Pietropaolo was a member of the Miami Public Interest Scholars Program, was granted memberships in the Order of the Coif and the Order of Barristers, and won multiple awards for academic achievements. She also competed in the International Moot Court Program as a 29th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot member, where she was recognized for her oral advocacy skills among thousands of students globally. As a research assistant to former Professor Kathleen Claussen, she researched and edited publications on various topics, including international investment law, international trade dispute settlements, and labor provisions in trade agreements. She brought this experience with her in internships with the Civil Division of the International Trade Field Office for the U.S. Department of Justice and a judicial internship with the Honorable Timothy M. Reif in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Pietropaolo also participated in the School of Law’s Litigation Skills Program, a renowned and highly regarded program taught by a faculty of experienced trial lawyers and judges to equip students with the skills to succeed in litigation, earning the Honorable Stanford Blake Award for her skills. “This program challenged me to think on my feet, practice trial skills, and connect with judges and practitioners across the county who continue to serve as resources and mentors.”
In her technology and law course with library director Robin Schard, Pietropaolo and her team developed a no-code chatbot modeled after the hernia mesh litigation. “It was great opportunity to explore how technology shapes the practice of law and how we can leverage these tools to provide better, more efficient representation while streamlining the dispute resolution process.”
Last year, Pietropaolo, J.D./LL.M. '23, was named to the University of Miami's 30 Under 30 list based on the impact she has made so far in her profession, community, and at the University.
At Shook, Hardy & Bacon, she supports clients in navigating the complexities of business litigation and international arbitration and guides dispute resolution strategies. She is an up-and-coming member of the Young Miami International Arbitration Society, Florida's premier network for young practitioners and students interested in developing their careers in international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. She also serves as a member of the leadership team for the American Bar Association in its Litigation Section’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, which provides judicial internship opportunities to law students throughout the country.
"The School of Law provided me with a strong foundation and invaluable experiences that helped shape my career," said Pietropaolo. "The diverse opportunities and mentorship I've received have been instrumental in refining my interests in the law, developing foundational skills, connecting with the Miami legal community as well as national and international legal communities, and providing me with the resources and opportunities to continue to pursue my goals as an attorney. The camaraderie and support from the alumni network have also been invaluable whenever I’ve reached out as a young lawyer, reinforcing the sense of community and shared passion for the profession.”
Read more about Miami Law’s Litigation, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution area of study.
