By Mark Adam
Eric Brenner ’14 grew up in Clifton Park, N.Y., just minutes from historic Saratoga Race Course. While he's been to the Race Course many times, the finance major and Pre-Law student gained insight into how it’s evolved by participating in Siena’s Summer Legal Fellows Program. Brenner was placed at Albany Law School where he researched medication policy in horseracing and the histories of the New York Racing Association and Saratoga Race Course, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Under the guidance of an attorney on staff at Albany Law School, Brenner pored over deeds and newspaper articles and visited the City of Saratoga Archives and Saratoga County Clerk’s Office.
“I was able to make a lot of contacts that you wouldn’t expect of a college student,” Brenner said.
Brenner is one of 12 students in Siena’s annual Summer Legal Fellows program. Through this eight-week placement, Brenner improved his writing and research skills and gained invaluable experience that will make succeeding in law school anything but a longshot.
Next week, Brenner will participate in the 13th annual Saratoga Institute on Racing and Gaming Law. His research paper comparing and contrasting medication policies in different states will be published there. Brenner said that it’s nice to know his research will be read by industry leaders, veterinarians and representatives of breeders, trainers and owners. He hopes they will use it as a basis for forming new policies. In addition to his published work entering the conference field, Brenner posted about a dozen case briefs on the New York State Builders Association blog.
Pre-Law Advisor and Professor of Political Science Len Cutler, Ph.D., believes the Summer Legal Fellows Program has reinforced Brenner’s interest in law and differentiated him from other undergraduates. “He’s ahead of the game, and that’s a plus,” Cutler said.
Brenner plans on attending law school following graduation in May. He has already been admitted to Albany Law School by virtue of its 4-3 agreement with Siena College.
As he comes down the stretch in his Siena College career, Brenner is pulling away from the competition, which makes him a favorite for success in law school and beyond.
