Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is pleased to announce that Sean M. Pena, a Partner in the firm’s Litigation group, has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University. He will teach Perspectives on Law: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Applications of United States Legal Systems during the Fall 2026 semester.
The course pairs foundational legal theory with real-world case studies, helping students understand how courts resolve conflicts and how the rule of law is applied in practice. It is a natural fit for Sean, whose practice takes him to state and federal courtrooms across New Jersey, where he defends municipalities, school boards, public officials, and private clients in commercial and civil litigation. His time as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Ernest M. Caposela, A.J.S.C., in Passaic County gave him firsthand insight into how judges evaluate evidence and decide contested matters, a perspective he now brings to the classroom.
“There is often a gap between how the legal system is described in theory and how it operates when real people and real disputes are involved,” said Pena. “I am honored to join the faculty at Montclair State and look forward to helping students close that gap by working through the cases and questions that courts confront every day.“
Sean’s appointment reflects Scarinci Hollenbeck’s ongoing commitment to thought leadership, mentorship, and service to the legal profession across New Jersey, New York, and beyond.