Christina Graziano ’10
Christina Graziano ’10 credits her liberal arts education for making her “a lawyer dedicated to preserving the rights and civil liberties of my peers.” Following her graduation from Assumption, she attended Suffolk University’s School of Law and then, in 2017, joined Hausfeld, LLP, an international law firm in Washington, D.C., where she serves as an associate attorney focusing on consumer protection and mass tort cases. Last spring, the National Trial Lawyers Association named Graziano to their esteemed “Top 40 Under 40” list.
As a successful alumna, Graziano decided to give back to the institution that provided her with a solid foundation from which she has built her career. Last June, she endowed a scholarship for future Assumption students as a meaningful way to express her gratitude for her education and experience.
“I benefited directly from Assumption’s generous scholarship and financial aid programs,” Graziano said, “and feel that endowing a scholarship for other first-generation college students majoring in political science is a small way to pay tribute to the professors who inspired me and the school that helped shape me.”
Below, Graziano tells us more about her life today and why she gives.
Tell us about your life today.
I am in my eighth year as a lawyer and I live with my husband, Brian, and my awesome stepchildren, Will and Nora (and our two pet rabbits!), in Baltimore, Maryland. My practice currently focuses on complex civil litigation and intellectual property matters. Most of my free time is spent at the baseball diamond, as both kids are avid ball players, or voraciously reading literary and historical fiction.
What is your fondest memory of the University as a student?
I am incredibly nostalgic for my four years as a member of the Student Government Association. It was a privilege to serve the student body in that capacity, and we had a lot of fun along the way. The political science department is also the source of many of my most memorable AU moments, as my major afforded me no shortage of excellent professors, impactful classes and engaging peers. The experience was simply incomparable.
What was your favorite tradition at Assumption?
Duck Day, hands down. The pomp and circumstance we afford to the ducks upon their return to campus each spring is not only well-deserved but is simply great fun for all who attend. I especially enjoyed the rolling out of the red carpet, the duck-themed attire and food, and trying to guess which student leaders were donning the Pierre and Duckling costumes each year.
Why do you support the University with a planned gift?
I was incredibly fortunate to receive merit-based financial assistance from AU throughout my four years as a student. Those scholarships made it possible for my family to send me to a private four-year institution and gave me access to an intellectual tradition I would not have otherwise experienced. I feel a great debt of gratitude for my Assumption education and want to enable other first-generation AU students to experience this first-rate liberal arts education without the added burden of student loan debt.
Why is it important to give back to Assumption?
The value of the Assumption liberal arts education in today’s world cannot be overstated. As someone who gained so much from her time at AU, I feel that it is incumbent on alumni like me to give back. I am mindful of dedicating my time and financial resources toward furthering and defending the University’s mission and want to provide opportunities for the next generation of Greyhounds.
What advice would you give to a new graduate?
Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. You never know when a coffee meeting could turn into your next job or an important contact for later in your career. Use the Assumption network to your advantage! Assumption alumni tend to be fiercely loyal to our school; do not hesitate to reach out to an alum working in your desired field and ask for a few minutes of their time. I guarantee they will be delighted to hear from you.
You too can make an impact on future students’ lives with a legacy gift. Contact Melanie Demarais at 508-767-7332 or demarais@assumption.edu to learn more. For more information on the Light the Way Capital Campaign, visit www.assumptioncampaign.org.