As part of her tenure, Caputo actively contributed to the court's operations, enhancing her legal research and writing skills through drafting judicial decisions.

“I deepened my understanding of family law and domestic violence and had the privilege of observing various trials firsthand. Additionally, I engaged in weekly seminars that facilitated networking with esteemed court officers and fellow interns,” said Caputo.

Initially, Caputo felt her ideal 1L internship opportunity would be connected to criminal law. The New Jersey native’s ultimate decision was encouraged by career support, which is woven through the School of Law’s Juris Doctor curriculum and guidance supplied by its Career Development Office.

“Even before going to law school, I knew I always wanted to be in the court and to be in criminal law. Quinnipiac really drives home the importance of networking—and the Career Development Office really helps you to think about connections you may have even outside of Connecticut," said Caputo.

Caputo felt it would be a great opportunity to apply the civil background she had just learned as a 1L to her summer internship. Caputo is also grateful to Judge Cocchiola for supporting her interest in criminal law as part of her internship experience.

“Judge Cocchiola graciously encouraged me to explore diverse legal domains, allowing me to observe proceedings in both Criminal and Juvenile courts. Her mentorship was characterized by a genuine interest in my educational journey. She consistently inquired about my learning objectives, areas of interest, comprehension levels, and topics requiring further clarification,” said Caputo.

Caputo is also profoundly grateful for the invaluable relationships she forged during her time with the court, and the opportunity to learn under such an exemplary mentor.

“This experience has expanded my deep passion for public service and advocacy,” said Caputo. “Domestic violence and getting to see how the law applies to the cases was really interesting to me. I also want to move back to New Jersey, so seeing how New Jersey law applies firsthand has helped me.”

Caputo’s passion for the pursuit of knowledge and experience in law is reflected in the rising 2L’s participation in activities and societies at the School of Law, which is located on the North Haven Campus. Caputo serves as Latinx Law Student Association president; Human Trafficking Prevention Project executive chair; Student Bar Association 2L senator; Public Interest Law Project co-vice president of social media; and Italian Law Student Association director of external affairs.

“I joined every club I was interested in, and I am passionate about all of them,” said Caputo. “I was very involved as an undergraduate and I love to be hands-on because that’s the way I learn best. I’m very excited to now be a leader in organizations that have sparked new interests in me and have taught me so much in my first year.”

Also during her first year of law school, Caputo earned her certification as a Pilates instructor at Quinnipiac’s Recreation and Wellness Center on the Mount Carmel Campus, where she will instruct Pilates classes in the fall.

In 2020, Caputo began her undergraduate journey at Quinnipiac as a first-year student, where the dean’s list student majored in Communication and Media Studies and joined Alpha Chi Omega. Due to the pandemic, she transferred to a university in Florida and completed her bachelor’s degree in communications in 2024. Next, Caputo immediately applied to Quinnipiac School of Law and was accepted as a member of the Class of 2027.

Caputo said her first year at Quinnipiac School of Law helped her to prepare for her judicial internship.

“My legal research and writing class helped me tremendously because I was applying what we did in that class to actually writing the decisions. Learning the basics of civil procedure also helped me.” Caputo said. “One of the things I picked up from my internship is I had a introduction to evidence, which is a class I’ll take this fall; so I think it will help me as a foundation.”

Caputo hopes to carry the momentum and knowledge gained from her judicial internship, which ended July 31, into the start of her second year of law school.

“I think I’m more prepared and more confident, which I feel is so important. Being brand new in law school and the legal field, and as a first-generation law student, I feel like the internship really built my confidence. I learned it’s okay to ask questions, it’s okay to be wrong, it’s okay to try something new; and to network, network, network,” said Caputo.

Caputo encourages other law students to undertake a judicial internship as part of their legal education journey.

“It was such a cool experience to get to see all the different perspectives; and judges really aren’t intimidating. They want to help you. They were in our shoes before. I would tell everyone that they should work in a court, if they could,” said Caputo.