Bacon Wilson, P.C. Welcomes Four Law Clerks for 2026-27 Season

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Gabriella Ofcarcik, Daniel McKellick II, Patricia Santana-Garcia, and Monnea Slade have been accepted into the firm’s law clerk program for the 2026-27 school year.

Bacon Wilson created the clerkship program more than 40 years ago to allow law school students to gain experience and mentoring in the legal profession. The clerks are an integral part of the firm and participate in various firm events during their time at Bacon Wilson.

Gabriella Ofcarcik

Ofcarcik joined Bacon Wilson in August 2025 as a law clerk in the firm’s Commercial Law department. She is currently pursuing her juris doctorate at Western New England University School of Law and is expected to graduate in May 2027. She earned her bachelor’s degree in legal studies from UMass Amherst in 2024.

During her undergraduate studies, Ofcarcik completed a semester abroad at the Lorenzo de’ Medici School in Florence, Italy. She was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 2023 and the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society in 2024. She was also a recipient of the 2025 Commonwealth Law Scholars Award. At WNE Law, she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Lawyering Skills in 2024 and 2025, as well as the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Conveyancing in 2026. She also earned runner-up honors in the 2025 Best Oral Advocate Competition. She is a member of the Western New England Law Review and serves on the E-board as senior note editor for Volume 49.

Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, Ofcarcik gained valuable legal experience at a local law firm concentrating on family law, custody and divorce matters, and real estate transactions. In that role, she assisted with purchase and sale agreements, case preparation, and client communications. She also served as an intern with the Children and Family Law division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, where she supported attorneys representing children and parents in care and protection proceedings.

Daniel McKellick II

McKellick has spent much of his legal career with Bacon Wilson, beginning in June 2021 as an office assistant in the firm’s Westfield office. Throughout his tenure, he has gained experience in a wide range of legal matters, including drafting conveyance, mortgage, and corporate formation documents, while serving as a key point of contact for clients throughout the legal process.

McKellick is currently pursuing his juris doctorate at Western New England University School of Law and is expected to graduate in May 2027. In 2025, he received the CALI Award in Property and was nominated for the school’s Oral Advocacy Competition. He earned his bachelor’s degree in law and society from Western New England University in May 2025.

Earlier in his career, McKellick worked as a circulation assistant at the Western New England University School of Law Library, where he assisted students in accessing both physical and digital legal resources. He has a strong interest in real estate law and other areas of commercial law.

Patricia Santana-Garcia

Santana-Garcia joined Bacon Wilson in May 2026. She is currently a juris doctor candidate at Western New England University School of Law and is expected to graduate in May 2027. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in law and human rights, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City in 2022.

At Western New England University School of Law, Santana-Garcia is actively involved in student organizations, including the Women’s Law Assoc. and the Latinx Law Students Assoc. She also serves as a junior staff member of the Western New England Law Review. Beyond her academic pursuits, she volunteers with the ACLU Election Protection program, where she assists voters and monitors polling locations, and has supported refugees seeking adjustment of status through the Center for New Americans.

Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, Santana-Garcia served as a judicial intern to the Hon. Bianka Perez at the Bronx Supreme Court, where she drafted memoranda related to motions for dismissal and summary judgment and conducted preliminary legal analyses. She also spent two years with a West Palm Beach, Fla. law firm that provided legal representation to motorists facing traffic-related offenses, including speeding violations, suspended license matters, and DUI charges. She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish, allowing her to effectively serve and communicate with a diverse range of clients.

Monnea Slade

Slade joined Bacon Wilson in May 2026. She is currently pursuing her juris doctorate at Western New England University School of Law and is expected to graduate in May 2027. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, Md. in 2023.

At Western New England University School of Law, Slade serves as president of the Student Bar Assoc. and as symposium editor for the Western New England Law Review, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to academic excellence. In addition to her legal studies, she serves as a paralegal non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve in Middletown, Conn. In this role, she supports military attorneys by drafting routine legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and affidavits, helping to streamline legal operations and enhance efficiency.

Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, Slade served as a student attorney with the Legal Aid Clinic in Springfield, where she provided direct legal assistance to low-income tenants under Massachusetts Rule 3:03 certification. Her work included assisting clients with eviction defenses, subsidized housing disputes, and habitability claims through client interviews, legal research, motion drafting, and court appearances.

From 2022 to 2024, Slade served on active duty at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School as the operations non-commissioned officer. In that capacity, she improved operational effectiveness by streamlining processes and implementing new systems. She managed administrative operations for hundreds of newly appointed Army judge advocates, ensuring mission readiness and organizational efficiency. Additionally, she conducted quality assurance inspections, ensured regulatory compliance, and developed standard operating procedures that increased consistency and reduced operational errors.

“We are pleased to welcome Gabriella, Daniel, Patricia, and Monnea to Bacon Wilson,” Managing Partner Jeffrey Fialky said. “Each of these talented law students brings an impressive combination of academic achievement, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to serving others. Their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives strengthen our team and reflect the values that have long defined our firm. We are proud to support the next generation of legal professionals and look forward to their continued growth and contributions as they gain valuable hands-on experience at Bacon Wilson.”