A group of Fordham Law students recently came together to launch the Law School’s newest affinity group, the Disabled & Allied Law Students Association (DALSA), to provide peer support for students with disabilities and serve as a platform for advocacy and outreach.

DALSA President Stephanie Diu ‘23 says that the pandemic has only increased issues of equity and access for students with disabilities. When she was putting together her fall semester schedule—taking all her classes online—Diu says she was nervous about how accomodations might work for her hearing loss. “Everyone has to deal with some level of isolation in a pandemic,” she says. “Director of Student Affairs Abel Montez was a great resource who made sure I had what I needed on an administrative level.”

The experience inspired her to seek support from fellow students. “I wished there was a way to connect,” says Diu. “I saw the need for an affinity group for students with disabilities and allies, and I was so grateful when other students responded and helped get DALSA started.”

The group—which held its first general body meeting on November 2 and currently has 23 members—is led by Diu, Caroline Johnson ‘22 (treasurer), Devin Perez ‘22 (director of operations), Cristina Pardo ‘23 (director of outreach), and Emma Evans ‘23 (1L representative). Together, their mission is to gather students with disabilities and disability allies into a unified community, fortifying on-campus visibility and working against industry shortcomings to improve inclusivity.

Through upcoming events, DALSA members plan to connect with and provide support to Fordham Law students with disabilities, demystify the accommodations process at Fordham, and destigmatize disability in the legal industry by fostering education and open dialogue.

“We’re planning casual fun events, such as a virtual gathering for the holidays and a welcome-back event after winter break with a raffle,” Diu added. “We’re also working on educational events such as a panel in the spring about requesting accommodations for the bar exam and Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination.”

DALSA, in the meantime, is looking to connect with alumni as well. Interested Fordham Law students and alumni can reach out via email (dalsa@fordham.edu) or through social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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On November 8, Fordham Law’s moot court team bested the competition in numerous categories at the 2020 National Criminal Procedure Tournament hosted by the University of San Diego. Fordham captured the National Championship, Best Respondent’s Brief, Third Best Oralist (out of 60 competitors), and First Place Overall.

This was the first team to roll out of the box in the Fall Moot Court season. Team members Emma McGrath ’22 and Jack Barton ’22 argued seven arduous rounds until they reached the Championship Final, competing remotely. 

The first issue was whether a state officer’s modified Miranda warning violated the Miranda v. Arizona Fifth Amendment holding, and whether this deficiency tainted later statements to a federal agent. The second issue was whether presenting Miranda deficient statements in pre-trial proceedings violates the Fifth Amendment’s ‘’use in a criminal case” under Chavez v. Martinez.

Professor Maria Marcus, who mooted the team members by Zoom, commented, “I was particularly impressed with Barton’s knowledge of British parliamentary history and ability to bring passion to what might otherwise seem rather dry. McGrath was notable for her fluid and articulate approach, calmly persuasive at every turn.”

The team’s student editor, Megan Mahoney ’21, added: “McGrath came to the competition with the ability to distinguish each fact in the record. She faced fierce questioning from the bench, yet she never faltered in maintaining the best position for her side. Barton’s familiarity with the breadth of the issues allowed him to cater his arguments to the specific concerns of the bench while seamlessly advocating for his side’s interests.”

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On November 14, Fordham Law’s Dispute Resolution Society (DRS) Domestic Arbitration team bested the competition at the 2020 American Bar Association (ABA) Arbitration Regional Competition hosted by the University of South Dakota Law School. Fordham entered two teams in the competition for the first time this year, due to the cancellation of the Judith S. Kaye Arbitration Competition, hosted by the New York State Bar Association, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both teams won their preliminary and semifinal rounds, and both made it all the way to the competition’s final round where they competed against each other head-to-head. The team of Margaret Revera ‘22, Joshua Zelen ‘22, Catherine Young ‘22, Perry Zirpoli ‘22, and Ksenia Matthews ‘22 captured First Place Overall. The team of Zoe Buzinkai ‘22, Haley Johnson Griffin ‘22, Joshua Wexler ‘22, William Delaney ‘22, and Dayana Ledezma ‘22 secured the runner-up position.

The case was a contract dispute between a home warranty company and a new home buyer who contracted with the company to cover the cost of repairs for structural defects on his dream home. Both teams prepared throughout the semester as they developed their arbitration skills in class with Professor Deborah Masucci, practiced their skills with Fordham alumni and 3L DRS members, and showcased their skills in a public round in advance of the competition with professional arbitrators and the full DRS membership. Through their preparation, competitors developed opening statements, performed direct and cross-examinations on various witnesses, and practiced closing arguments.

The two teams competed virtually and presented cases in three different rounds, switching Claimant and Respondent positions, until they reached the final round. The judges commented in each round on the teams’ professionalism and competency. Moreover, the judges and ABA were so impressed with each of the teams that both were invited to compete in the ABA Arbitration National Competition in January 2021.

“I am very proud of both teams. In a short ten weeks, the students learned the arbitration rules and procedures, developed an arbitration advocacy strategy from the Claimant and Respondent point of view, and refined their winning strategies,” said Professor Masucci, who coached and mooted the teams via Zoom throughout the year. “Both teams demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism and ethics during the competition. All these skills are important as the courts and clients integrate arbitration into their dispute resolution tool box.”

The teams’ student coach, Emily Entwistle ’21, added: “Each of the teams worked really hard on this problem and deserve the honor of moving on to nationals in January. They have made myself, Professor Masucci, and all of Fordham Law extremely proud! It’s a pleasure to work with them, and I look forward to helping them prepare for the final leg of the competition.”

The post Fordham Law Wins ABA Domestic Arbitration Regional Competition and Advances to Nationals appeared first on Fordham Law.

Dialogue Day, a newly launched series at Fordham Law, provides a forum for open conversations among the Law School’s students, faculty, staff, and administration. The goal is for the Fordham Law community to gather and discuss important issues that impact not only the Law School, but the nation as well.

“The idea is to create a space for community discussion of important issues related to social justice,” said Dean Matthew Diller during his opening remarks on the Nov. 4 Zoom meeting. “The discussions will be informative and participatory, and will create a nonpartisan, civil, and respectful forum for different views and perspectives to be shared so that we can all learn together.”

The inaugural Dialogue Day centered on the 2020 U.S. presidential election, including a discussion of voter turnout, voter suppression, and the country’s political landscape. Though the results of the presidential contest remained in question, Dialogue Day represented an opportunity for members of the Law School community to share their viewpoints as the election unfolded in real time. This, as pointed out by Dean Diller, allowed attendees to collectively process what they were all going through, express their feelings, and list their key takeaways from the election.

After a number of students, staff, and professors spoke, one theme was evidently clear throughout the conversation: reaching out and supporting one another.

“There are many ways to do good and there are ways to help people. If you can’t see opportunities to make progress in the grand scheme at the moment, you can make progress on the micro level too—with people in your lives, in your community, and within our School, as so many of you do,” said Diller. “All of us, in our own web of interpersonal relations and connections, can make a difference.”

Kimathi Gordon-Somers, assistant dean of student affairs and diversity, echoed Diller’s sentiment, adding how critical it is to have open communication and open-mindedness.

“I believe that we work better as a society when we engage with one another—but more importantly when we engage in honest and respectful discourse about issues that matter,” Gordon-Somers said. “I think that’s when it really works.”

The next Dialogue Day will take place during the spring 2021 semester.

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“We are lucky to have such a diverse and vibrant group of alumni clerks across the country,” said Suzanne M. Endrizzi ’96, CJEC assistant dean. “Though the Law School events were held virtually during the fall semester, due to the health pandemic, this created a wonderful opportunity for our students to benefit from alumni—who traveled by Zoom and shared their clerkship experiences, as well as imparted their advice and guidance. The Fordham community’s energy and enthusiasm to reach back to help the next generation of Fordham lawyers is boundless.”

Chatting with Clerks Across the Nation

Throughout the semester the CJEC welcomed alumni who are or were judicial clerks including:

Brianna Gallo ’17 [former clerk to Judges Claire Eagan (N.D.Ok.) and Bobby Sheppard (8th Cir.)]; Dan Humphrey ’19 ([ormer clerk to Magistrate Lauren Louis (S.D.Fla.) and current clerk to Justice John Couriel (Florida Supreme Court)], Mike Landis ’11 [former clerk to Judges Ronald Graves (Ret.) (N.J. Appellate Division) and Christine Arguello (D.Colo.)]; Jessica Lee ’17 [former clerk to Judge Thomas Johnston (S.D.W.Va.) and incoming clerk to Don Willett (5th Cir.)]; Reece Pelley ’19 [current clerk to Justice Maria Kahn (Connecticut Supreme Court)], and Brandon Ruben ’16 [former clerk to Judges Terrence Berg (E.D.Mich.), Claire Eagan (N.D.Ok.), and Robert Wilkins (D.C. Cir.)]

The alumni talked with students about why they personally chose to clerk and the day to day life of a judicial clerk. For those alumni who clerked on multiple courts, they talked with the students about how each of these clerkship experiences differed.

Each of the participating alumni have pursued different career paths—from large firms to government agencies to public interest organizations. As a result, students gained insights from the breadth of the alumni perspectives on how their clerkships benefited their career aspirations.

Ruben, assistant public defender in Prince George’s County, Maryland, spoke with a group of 10 students at a virtual chat on Sept. 17. Prior to starting this role about a year ago, he had completed three federal clerkships around the country.

Ruben said he was interested in clerking because he believes there is no better way to improve as a legal researcher and writer. The experience, he added, acclimates young attorneys to handling very serious responsibilities early in their career. 

“I didn’t obtain my clerkships on my own. I did it in conjunction with the numerous Fordham faculty, alumni, and administrative staff who provided me immense support,” Ruben said. “Participating in the roundtable was thus my sincere pleasure, as it was an opportunity to give back to an institution that has given me so much.”

On Oct. 6, Lee told students that her 1L year solidified her desire to practice constitutional appellate litigation. She knew clerking would provide her the foundation and opportunities to do so.

“The clerkship process can feel overwhelmingly vague, especially for first-generation law students,” said Lee, who is currently an assistant solicitor general for the State of West Virginia in Charleston. “Having been in that position, I wanted to provide students the clarity I needed to succeed in the process and show them that persistence and geographical flexibility can overcome a lot of hurdles.”

Alumni Share Clerkship Experiences with Affinity Groups

This year, the CJEC expanded its Alumni Clerk Chat Roundtable series and partnered with the leadership of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA), Black Law Students Association (BLSA), and Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA).  In September, through that partnership, the CJEC hosted exploratory clerkship chats moderated by the chairs of LALSA, BLSA, and APALSA for their student members, including first year students.

These alumni chats featured Adam Rodriguez ’07 [former clerk to Magistrate Judge Ramon Reyes (E.D.N.Y.) and Judge Dora Irizarry (E.D.N.Y.)], Sheea Sybblis ’05 [former clerk to Judge Susan Wigenton (D.N.J.)], and Julie Yap ’05 [former clerk Judge Frank Damrell (E.D.Cal.) and former U.S. Supreme Court Fellow]to provide invaluable insight into their respective clerkship experiences.

Yap—who was sworn in as a superior court judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court of California in May 2020—spoke with APALSA about her clerkship experiences.

On Sept. 29, Stein Scholar and APALSA Co-Vice President Nick Loh ’22 moderated Judge Yap’s discussion titled, “From Clerk to Judge: Demystifying Post-Graduate Judicial Clerkships.”

“APALSA was fortunate to host Judge Yap who shared her experiences and path to the bench,” Loh said. “It was an encouraging opportunity for students to ask questions and receive concrete advice on navigating judicial opportunities as Asians and Asian Americans.”

“We are very grateful that our fabulous clerks are so devoted to Fordham. They provide invaluable information and assistance to our clerkship candidates,” said Daniel J. Capra, Reed Professor of Law and CJEC faculty director.

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On November 9, Federal Litigation Clinic students Elizabeth Marley ’21, Kelly O’Connor ’21, and Bayron Flores Tapia ’21 argued a compassionate release motion in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Due to the pandemic and the curtailing of in-person hearings, the students were required to argue the motion by phone. Many courts have asked defendants and their attorneys to appear by phone or by audiovisual media such as teams or zoom for their hearings.

Under the supervision of Professors Michael W. Martin and Jennifer Louis-Jeune, the students represented a client convicted on a drug-dealing charge who had little more than three years remaining on his original 15-year sentence. Despite the government’s concession that the client had compelling and extraordinary circumstances as someone with elevated risk for COVID-19, prosecutors argued that he should remain at the facility and incarcerated. According to the students, they gave greater weight to other factors, including the original sentencing and history of the defendant, while underestimating the fatal threat to their client’s life posed by lack of testing, congestion, and exposure to untested, potentially COVID-19 infected–but asymptomatic–prison staff. 

Participating in a hearing by phone has its challenges. Marley, who argued the motion, said the students were prepared to refute any argument the government made. However, the prosecution had organized their arguments differently than how they had done in their court papers. Without visual cues of an in-person hearing. Flores Tapia noted, “it was sometimes difficult to anticipate what the judge or the prosecution was about to say.” Although the remote process was well-organized, the students found it somewhat disconcerting not to be able to see the judge’s demeanor during oral argument. The client was also present by teleconference but did not speak. 

O’Connor said it was an honor to represent “a real person” and this particular client, with whom the students had developed a trusting relationship. Flores Tapia added that this experience was a reminder “that in the clinic, the stakes are higher because you work with real clients.”

“It felt strange doing an oral argument in court from the comfort of my living room,” Elizabeth said, “But the experience was just as exciting.” The Federal Litigation Clinic is waiting to hear if the motion was granted. 

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On November 17, Fordham Law’s moot court team won big at the National Moot Court Competition’s Regional Finals. After mooting five rounds over Zoom, captain Frank Piacenti ’21, Kevin Sette ’21, and Cody Anthony ’21 eventually beat out the NYU Law team in the final round to not only win the championship, but also the awards for best brief and runner-up best speaker (awarded to Sette).

This year’s problem was especially timely, as the prompt focused on a hypothetical drug company misrepresenting the risks associated with a drug developed to treat a pandemic virus, as well as the level of liability of an insurance company that underwrote thousands of prescriptions for the drug.

Professor Maria Marcus

Professor Maria Marcus, the team’s faculty coach, noted, “The brief surged through the facts, bringing the readers along with them in an exciting ride. This was the right foundation for the Zoom practice moots where all the oralists spoke with equal enthusiasm, but very different presentation styles. Pointed questioning from Ashley Slater, the editor-in-chief of the Moot Court  Board, was also an important factor in the team’s success.” She praised the team’s direct approach—as many teams fall prey to the habit of merely listing numerous cases—the Fordham brief “put us right into the scene, making us care about the people [in the case].”

The Fordham Law team practiced extensively in advance of the competition. After submitting their brief in October, Piacenti, Sette, and Anthony began meeting virtually for daily—and sometimes twice-daily—moots. They were aided by their student coach, Slater ’21, and a student bench team consisting of Alexandra Deitz (the bench team coach) ‘21, Olivia Cohen ‘22, Adam Drake ’22, Catherine Engelmann ’22, Kyle Ezring ’22, Ryan Hor ’22, and Anna Petrocelli ’22. 

All three feel that the online competition—despite the usual technological hurdles and distractions of background noise and poor internet connections—gave them a leg up for their careers post graduation. 

“As far as the competition being virtual, it was helpful to get some experience doing arguments over Zoom when that will likely be utilized heavily in litigation after Covid,” noted Anthony.

“A Zoom competition has given us more experience than practicing attorneys have on litigating in a virtual format that is likely to remain a consistent part of the judicial system,” said Sette, echoing Anthony’s sentiment. “That experience is invaluable to our careers.”

The team will advance to the national finals, which are scheduled for February. Once they complete their final exams, they plan to prepare much in the same way they did for the regional competition: with daily practice moots. 

Piacenti agreed, saying, “Winning the competition was gratifying, but it would not have been possible without such supportive teammates. There were many times when things got frustrating, and having the team to help me through meant the difference between failure and success.”

Despite the highs of the wins, the three kept their focus on collaboration and mutual support.

“Participating in Fordham Moot Court has always been about experience first, and competition second,” remarked Sette. “I am happy to say that Frank, Cody, and I continued that tradition even in a virtual format. Winning felt great but only because I was able to win with two good friends as my teammates.”

The post Fordham’s Moot Court Team Captures Championship appeared first on Fordham Law.

Stein Scholar Luna Garzón-Montano ’21 has been selected as a fellow in the E. Barrett Prettyman and Stuart Stiller Fellowship Program at Georgetown Law. She will be Fordham Law School’s first Prettyman Fellow.

Upon accepting the offer, Garzón-Montano thanked Fordham Law’s Aisha Baruni, Leah Horowitz, and Criminal Defense Clinic supervisors, as well as her mentors at Southern Center for Human Rights (where she interned her 1L summer) and Federal Defenders of New York, for their unwavering support.

“I’m excited to begin my career representing people who can’t afford lawyers in our criminal legal system and to do it with the benefit of experienced supervisors and brilliant colleagues,” Garzón-Montano said. “The opportunity to learn from the program’s directors and to supervise students is a unique combination that will prepare me to work at any public defender office in the future.”

The goal of the fellowship is to provide high-quality representation to adults and adolescents accused of crimes and provide recent law school graduates with rigorous training in criminal trial advocacy and clinical teaching. Under close faculty supervision in the Georgetown criminal clinics, Garzón-Montano will be a lawyer in D.C. Superior Court during her first year as a fellow—representing clients charged with misdemeanors and, later, felonies. During her second year, she will carry a reduced caseload and will supervise third-year Georgetown clinic students.

Fordham Law Director of Public Interest Scholars and Fellowships Aisha Baruni explained how Garzón-Montano continues to stay in touch with some of her former clients and has helped family members see their loved ones on death row.

“Luna’s commitment is bone-deep and she has the talent and hard work to put that commitment into action,” Baruni said.

In the same vein, Assistant Dean for Public Interest and Social Justice Initiatives Leah Horowitz ’06 spoke of the Stein Scholar’s leadership inside and outside the classroom.

“Luna is a force and will be an unbelievable public defender and leader in the community,” Horowitz said. “She has been a tremendous leader here at Fordham Law, particularly in our public interest community.”

This spring, Garzón-Montano will continue serving as co-president of Fordham Law Defenders (FLD), a student organization for law students interested in pursuing careers in public defense (either criminal or family defense). In March, FLD and several other student groups will co-sponsor Student Week Against Mass Incarceration—a full week of programming around issues that surround mass incarceration and its collateral consequences.

The post Luna Garzón-Montano ’21 Accepts Georgetown Law Fellowship Position appeared first on Fordham Law.

In an op-ed published in the New York Daily News, students Kelly Lin ’21 and Sarah McShane ’21 explore the history of the pardon power and discuss whether it would be constitutional for President Donald Trump to pardon himself.

The U.S. Constitution limits the pardon power in two ways: The president may not pardon in cases of impeachment and may only grant pardons for offenses against the United States. It doesn’t say anything about whether he can pardon himself. But the history of the pardon power and the overall context of the Constitution prevent him from exonerating himself as he leaves the Oval Office. Perhaps that is why none of his predecessors has ever attempted this brazenly self-interested act.

…

Trump might simplistically argue that the Constitution does not explicitly forbid him from pardoning himself, and, therefore, he has the authority to do it. If he did so, he would be going beyond the powers the Founders contemplated and would frustrate the constitutional framework that has held this country together for over two centuries.

Read the full article.

The post No, Trump Can’t Pardon Himself: What the Constitution and Precedent Say appeared first on Fordham Law.

On January 18 and 19, 2021, Fordham Law students participated along with more than 3,500 other volunteers in the 20th Annual MLK Serve-a-Thon sponsored by policy and advocacy organization Hunger Free America.

Volunteers chose from over 20 remote discussions on hunger issues and then volunteered on a phone bank calling homes with household incomes under $30,000 a year to inform them they may be eligible for food assistance programs.

“We blew through our list of 50,000 phone numbers,” said Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America.

According to Kamille Dean, Fordham Law’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, participation in the Serve-a-Thon was a “perfect fit for law students” because it dealt with important public policy issues such as poverty, justice, and why certain communities are underserved.

“Some of the same issues that Dr. King was fighting for in the 1950s and 60s we are still grappling with today,” she noted.

Challenges of Volunteering in the Pandemic

Since she came to Fordham in 2020, Dean has considered how students can be involved in the surrounding community despite the hurdles of social distancing. “We were determined to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy with a meaningful community service project that addressed food insecurity during the pandemic.  At Fordham Law, we remain committed to serving our communities, even though we’re all remote,” said Dean.

Berg noted that this year’s Serve-a-Thon was entirely virtual due to the pandemic, unlike past events, “because the people we represent are more likely to have compromised immune systems.”

Discussion speakers were from organizations from across the country and spoke on topics including Food Justice is Mental Health Justice and Food Justice is Human Rights. “It’s a national problem needing a national solution,” Berg noted.

Berg encouraged law students to be involved with Hunger Free America beyond the Serve-a-Thon, noting that they would be “perfect” to help individuals understand food benefit programs. “Applying for SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] is more difficult than paying your taxes.”

Fordham Connections at Serve-a-Thon

First-year law student Katie Chaffer and her 16-year old daughter Madeline participated in the Serve-a-Thon. Chaffer chose a discussion about WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), while her daughter participated in a discussion geared toward teens. “I was a young mom and I always thought of how upsetting and difficult it would be to not be able to feed your family,” she said.

First-year law student Katie Chaffer (top left) and her daughter Madeline (bottom right) volunteered at the 20th Annual MLK Serve-a-Thon.

While many of the individuals Chaffer and other participants reached through the phone bank were suspicious of receiving a cold call, “if you get through to two people and they get a meal tonight, it was worth your time.”

The program also included a virtual rally featuring Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rachael Ray, José Andrés, and others, as well as a keynote discussion “How to Best Advance MLK’s Food Justice Vision.”

During the keynote, Fordham Law alumna Jennifer Jones Austin, ‘93, of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, said many today are “co-opting the legacy of Dr. King’s message. He was about structural change; he was about speaking truth to power.” She said she believed Dr. King would applaud the fact that many see Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a day of service, but noted that he also was “about agitating for progressive structural change.”

During a discussion on mental health and hunger issues, Rachel Johnson of New York-based Xavier Mission, discussed her organization’s Life Skills Empowerment Program for homeless and formerly homeless individuals. A major component of the program is helping clients tell their stories.

“Writing that story and sharing that story allows people to reframe that story,” said Johnson, who had worked in the Fordham Law Career Planning Center while earning her Masters in Social Work from the Fordham Graduate School of Social Service (GSS).

Fordham’s Involvement in the Community

According to Dean, Fordham Law’s participation in the Serve-a-Thon was a good way for the Law School to develop its footprint in community efforts. Other upcoming initiatives include partnerships among the law school, GSS, and Gabelli School of Business featuring an upcoming fireside chat  with Anne Williams-Isom, FCLC ‘86, CEO of anti-poverty nonprofit Harlem Children’s Zone and GSS James R. Dumpson Chair in Child Welfare Studies.

“I really believe in a law school without walls, to provide access and opportunity for the Fordham Law community to serve the underserved” said Dean.

Chaffer, who also earned her undergrad degree from Fordham in 1995, said the Serve-a-Thon was in line with the sense of community and service at Fordham. When she began considering a return to school after 25 years as a journalist, the strong service component at Fordham “made it the school I wanted to return to.”

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On January 22, Fordham Law’s Dispute Resolution Society (DRS) Domestic Arbitration teams advanced to the National semifinals and then won the 2020-2021 American Bar Association (ABA) Arbitration Competition for Law Students. The team of Margaret Revera ’22, Joshua Zelen ’22, Catherine Young ’22, Perry Zirpoli ’22, and Ksenia Matthews ’22 are the 2020-21 National Champions. They beat Texas Tech University School of Law, the defending champions, in the final round of the competition. The team of Zoe Buzinkai ’22, Haley Johnson Griffin ’22, William Delaney ’22, Joshua Wexler ’22, and Dayana Ledezma ’22 placed in the semifinals.

Fordham earned the opportunity to compete in the National Competition after entering two teams in the Regional Competition hosted by the University of South Dakota Law School in November 2020. Both teams won their preliminary and semifinal rounds and competed head-to-head in the Regional Competition’s final round, earning both Fordham teams a spot at the National leg of the competition. Over 280 students from 28 different law schools competed in the Regional Competitions for a spot at Nationals.

At Issue: A Thorny Contract Dispute

The problem tackled by the students involved a contract dispute between a new homeowner and a home warranty company. The homeowner made a claim under a purchased warranty to make repairs on a bathroom for damage caused by structural defects. The homeowner sought reimbursement for the repairs and damages for bad faith. The warranty company denied coverage and made a counterclaim for defamation. The teams began preparing arguments for both sides guided by Professor Deborah Masucci and student coach Emily Entwistle ’21. The students presented a full arbitration case, including opening statements, witness examinations, introducing evidence and exhibits, and closing arguments. The competitors practiced before Fordham alumni, professors, 3L DRS members, and professional arbitrators in order to develop these skills and perfect their cases.

Professor Masucci reflected on the students’ achievement: “When preparation started in August 2020, none of the students had taken an arbitration course. They received crash lessons in arbitration rules, procedures and advocacy. Their understanding of the nuances between trial advocacy and arbitration gave them an edge over other students who approached the competition as if they were in court. The students also had to learn how to effectively present a case virtually—something practicing lawyers and arbitrators were only just learning themselves.”

Masucci added: “The students rose to the occasion mastering the virtual platform, learning the arbitration process, and effectively advocated on both sides of the problem. They worked collaboratively and adjusted their arguments each round. The students are well prepared to offer future employers their practical experience.”

Perseverance Pays Off

Student Coach Emily Entwistle ’21 applauded the Fordham Law teams’ resilience: “I am so proud of both Fordham teams, and it was an honor to coach them with Professor Masucci. They worked for six long months on this problem. Their hard work, dedication, and skill shows in how well they fared in the competition. At the end of every round they received high praise from the judges on their skills and professionalism. I can’t wait to see what they all accomplish next!”

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This spring, Fordham Law’s Office of Professionalism will continue its efforts to build awareness around mental health and wellness within the Law School community through a wide range of programs and events. The upcoming spring semester lineup was developed to directly acknowledge and respond to the unprecedentedly challenging circumstances currently faced by all members of the Law School community, as well as to reinforce Fordham Law’s more general commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Office is also expanding its mental health services by offering two virtual support groups and a new online mental health screening platform for students.

“As we enter the new year, I felt it was really important to double down on our efforts to support our community members and honor the pain and trauma we continue to endure, but also to help instill a sense of hope and confidence that together we can—and will—move toward a brighter future,” said Jordana Confino, director of professionalism and special projects.

“We recognize that not all mental health and wellness initiatives are one-size-fits-all, and that, if we truly wish to provide inclusive wellness offerings, it is essential that we deliver programming and services that reflect the unique needs and circumstances of all subsets of our population—including the members of traditionally underrepresented groups.”

Tune into these virtual wellness events during February and March. Registration links are provided below.

From COVID Stress to Personal Growth: How to Maintain Wellness & Find Meaning & Growth in a Pandemic

In this program, attendees will learn more about this science as well as strategies for turning highly stressful events like the coronavirus into the launching pad for a better life going forward. Guest speakers include Jarrett Green and Rebecca Simon Green, stress resiliency, well-being, and peak performance consultants to the legal industry and corporate America.

This is also the inaugural program of the NYC Area Law Schools Wellness Consortium, which Confino co-founded with colleagues on the NYC Bar Association’s Mindfulness & Well-Being in Law Committee.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register HERE.

Voices of Recovery: Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Lawyer Well-Being Movement

In this program, panelists will share their personal stories about overcoming mental health challenges and discuss how their experiences were shaped by their membership in historically marginalized groups. The panelists will also offer strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion within the lawyer well-being movement, as well as tips and resources for diverse law students and lawyers who seek assistance, support, or a stronger sense of belonging within the legal community.

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 4:30-6 p.m. Register HERE.

The Lawyer’s Guide to Managing Stress & Burnout

In this program, psychologist and success coach Dr. Sharon Grossman will teach participants how to cultivate the skills and self-awareness necessary to build stress resilience, prevent burnout, and reinvigorate engagement at school and work.

All participants will also receive a free copy of Dr. Grossman’s book, The 7E Solution to Burnout: Transforming High Achievers from Exhausted to Extraordinary, as well as the accompanying workbook and online experience.

Tuesday, March 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Space is limited—register HERE.

What Our Work Does to Us: Identifying & Addressing Secondary Trauma in Public Interest Lawyering

In this workshop, staff attorneys from The Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice will present their research on recognizing the secondary trauma stress inherent to public interest lawyering. The presenters will discuss strategies for addressing vicarious trauma and professional burnout through trainings, protocols, and stress management methods developed in the course of their research.

Wednesday, March 24, 4:30-6 p.m. Register HERE.

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The Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust, which provided a major gift in February 2020 to establish a new scholarship to support a full-time student in Fordham Law’s Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) in Corporate Compliance program, has renewed that support for the 2021-22 academic year.

“Thanks to the Geneen Trust scholarship, a student can be fully dedicated to their studies and graduate with marketable skills in the growing field of corporate compliance,” said Robert Mascola, senior director of compliance programs at Fordham Law School. “And there is no better place than Fordham Law for getting a rigorous and practical education in compliance. Fordham was the first law school in the country to offer an M.S.L. in this field.”

Mark Banks ’23

This year’s scholarship recipient is Mark Banks, who has demonstrated his commitment to responsible corporate management by working towards reentering the corporate world. Banks worked at PNC Bank dealing with contracts before attending Fordham Law. Upon completing his M.S.L., he hopes to serve as a director of compliance for a corporation in the financial services industry. He said he was overjoyed upon hearing the news that he was named this year’s Geneen Trust recipient.

“I am grateful for this opportunity as it has provided me with the financial means, as well as direction, to pursue my M.S.L.,” said Banks. “Studying corporate compliance at Fordham Law has allowed me to move further up the ranks globally in a corporate setting.”

The M.S.L. in Corporate Compliance program launched in 2016 in response to the rapid growth of the ethics and compliance field as a professional track for candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds. Three years later, the Law School also offered an online version of the compliance program—offering more flexibility for students to choose to attend classes either online or in person.

This program is for individuals who want to deepen their understanding of corporate compliance and core topics such as international financial crime, anti-corruption programs, and risk assessment, but who are not and do not necessarily want to become lawyers. It is also designed to provide students with an understanding of the overall legal and regulatory framework, as well as give them unique, non-legal skills needed, including how to conduct risk assessments, how to create programs to prevent corporate misconduct, and how to build cultures of compliance and integrity.

Students interested in applying for next year’s scholarship can find more information here. Completed applications are due by May 1, 2021.

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To honor the late Judge Deborah A. Batts, a trailblazing legal scholar and pioneering jurist, Fordham Law School has created a new scholarship program and announced its very first recipients.

Judge Batts, the first Black faculty member to receive tenure at Fordham Law and a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, passed away on Feb. 3, 2020. She joined Fordham Law School as a professor of law in 1984 and became a tenured associate professor of law in May 1990. Four years later, she resigned her tenure and broke barriers by becoming the first openly LGBTQ judge on the federal bench—after being nominated by President Bill Clinton.

The Deborah A. Batts Scholarship Fund, seeded with funds donated by Fordham Law faculty members and alumni, provides support for students dedicated to using their legal education to promote social justice, civil rights, and equality.

“Judge Batts created a remarkable legacy. Not only as a barrier-breaking Black woman and out lesbian, but by the force of her intelligence, compassion, and desire to counsel and support others,” said Dean Matthew Diller. “She was a devoted mentor as a professor to our students for more than 25 years, and this new scholarship program at Fordham Law is a wonderful and important way to honor her memory.” 

“Judge Batts was a terrific judge, and wasn’t shy about holding the government to account. Beyond that, as a Black judge, and the first openly gay judge on the federal bench, she was an inspiration,” said Bennett Capers, director of Fordham Law’s Center on Race, Law and Justice.

“I feel a special pride that I’m now teaching at the law school where she got her start, and that the Deborah A. Batts Scholarship Fund has allowed the school to name two great inaugural Batts Scholars—Cameron Porter ’23 and Lamar Smith ’23—to work with the Center on Race, Law, and Justice.”

“For me, it’s one the many continuations of her legacy,” Capers added. “And already, the inaugural Batts Scholars have been terrific, conducting legal research on issues relevant to the Center, helping with event planning, and serving as a sounding board as we figure out how we can better support the students at Fordham.”

Meet the Deborah A. Batts Scholars

The Deborah A. Batts Scholarship provides funding for Porter and Smith to work closely with the Center on Race, Law and Justice to engage in original research and analysis of core civil rights and social justice issues.

Cameron Porter ’23 and Lamar Smith ’23

Both students said that they were thrilled to get the news from Dean Matthew Diller that they had been chosen as the first Deborah A. Batts Scholars.

“What stood out to me is how this scholarship honors Judge Batts, who had to overcome many obstacles to get to where she was,” Smith said, adding how grateful he was to be named as a recipient. “For me, it was great to hear that aspect of her life would be recognized.”

Porter also expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to “fill Judge Batts’ big shoes.”

“Judge Batts was amazing, and I would have loved to have met her,” she said. “I’m very excited for what’s to come, and I can’t wait to see what Lamar and I can do with this scholarship.”

Prior to joining Fordham Law, Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University in 2010. His current interests in entrepreneurial law, in addition to criminal law, stem back to his experience as an online business owner during his undergraduate career and after graduation. As a Deborah A. Batts Scholar, Smith says he wants to be an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves—ensuring that clients are treated equally and fairly as they navigate the criminal justice system. He began the spring semester working on a research project with the Center on Race, Law and Justice, which examines the consequences of residential segregation on communities of color.

Porter received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2020. She is particularly interested in pursuing intellectual property law. Porter says she was influenced by the experience of growing up as a hip-hop dancer and seeing people of color make art and concepts that were not adequately protected in the entertainment industry. Porter says she is excited to be working as a research assistant for the Center on Race, Law, and Justice this semester while serving as a Deborah A. Batts Scholar. In that role, she hopes to work more closely on matters related to criminal law and criminal justice reform.

Dr. Gwen L. Zornberg, Judge Batts’ wife, said the scholarship was a fitting legacy. She reflected on Judge Batts’ words, “The overwhelming and enduring truth is that by protecting and defending the rights of others, we protect and preserve those rights for ourselves and our loved ones.”

For more about the late Judge Deborah A. Batts, watch this video about her life and legacy.

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The spread of COVID-19 has forced the criminal justice system to dramatically rethink how court proceedings take place. Many courts have transformed hearings to take place virtually over video conferencing software. During the Fall 2020 semester, students in Fordham Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic (CDC) appeared in five virtual court cases in New York City Criminal Court. The clinic’s supervisors, Professors Cheryl Bader and Martha Rayner, worked closely with students to prepare for the cases and navigate a new virtual world for their clients.

Michelle Orchard ’21 and Pro Bono Scholar Sophia Rivero ’21 collaborated on an open case that had been overseen by other clinic students during previous semesters. This case had also been administratively adjourned a number of times since April 2020, due to the pandemic. The case involved a client who had previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. However, after completing a year-long treatment program, the client withdrew that plea and entered a guilty plea to a disorderly conduct violation, which is not a crime. The plea was accepted by the presiding judge, and the case was closed towards the end of the fall 2020 semester.

Because the client did not have access to the technology needed to join the hearing remotely from his home, Tracey Higgs, CDC’s legal assistant, worked with the Law School to safely accommodate the client on campus on the day of the hearing.

Michelle Orchard ’21 and Sophia Rivero ’21

As Orchard appeared on the record virtually from a room inside the clinic on the 9th floor, the client appeared virtually from the clinic’s large conference room—where he and Rivero were masked and socially distanced from one another. Professor Bader, who appeared remotely from her home, noted that, in this unique situation, the students could quickly run back and forth to one another if needed.

Though Orchard said she found it a little strange not having Professor Bader physically standing nearby, the two had thoroughly prepared prior to the case, having discussed various questions the judge might ask. “I practiced what I was going to say ahead of time, which is the same approach whether you’re in a virtual courtroom or an actual courtroom. You always want to practice,” Orchard said.

In the same vein, Rivero said the CDC had been a beneficial resource to turn to when preparing for this case. “This was a bit unprecedented for everyone,” she said. “But it was really helpful to have the clinic and our group brainstorm what to expect, bounce ideas off of each other, and develop, from scratch, best practices for virtual appearing because no one had really done them before.”

Professor Bader was proud of Orchard and Rivero, remarking on how seamlessly their appearance went.

“The students were great and they were able to think on their feet. And I think they were quite excited about the prospect of having a court appearance,” she said. “Every student in the CDC is usually guaranteed at least one court appearance—if not more—over the course of the semester. At the beginning of the term when our cases were getting administratively adjourned, it wasn’t clear that any of them would have the opportunity for a court appearance.”

Professor Cheryl Bader

Professor Bader, however, also noted several challenges that come with remote representation, including the physical disconnection from clients and colleagues. “They had to build trust and confidence with their clients, who they’re not sitting next to, and cultivate a relationship with them,” Professor Bader said. “Being remote is the opposite of what we’re encouraging students to do in terms of jumping in to understand the client’s case and getting involved as the lawyer.”

Another challenge that comes with remote representation is discovering facts when there are physical, in-person restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The students have to think creatively in investigating and work harder to get witnesses to speak with them on the phone or through email,” Professor Bader noted.

Though the students missed out on the opportunity to experience a New York City criminal courtroom firsthand, they did get to see at least one case be resolved by the end of the semester. “Not being there physically and not experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells is a missed learning opportunity,” Professor Bader said. “On the other hand, you’re still the individual standing up for your client’s liberty and interests in virtual court.”

The CDC has three virtual appearances scheduled in February and March and is expected to have additional appearances as the semester continues.

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This year’s spring orientation program for first-year students focused on programming around anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues. Held on January 19, 2021, the orientation builds on last year’s spring orientation program, the first ever offered at Fordham Law.

“To succeed in the legal profession–both in terms of building a career and in terms of fulfilling the responsibilities of the profession–you need much more than the ability to analyze a judicial decision or to parse a statute,” said Dean Matthew Diller to students during his opening remarks.

“You need to be able to understand the human problems people bring to you and what is important to them; to understand the outlook, values and goals of the other players. Only this kind of broader outlook can enable you to craft effective strategies and keep long term objectives, as well as short term goals, in mind.”

Invited guests included Michelle Silverthorn, who led a diversity plenary session focused on law schools and the legal profession, and experts from Fletcher Consulting, who organized anti-racism workshops based on the first year law school experience for eight sections of students. Additional programming included elective sessions featuring over 20 legal professionals in various practice areas focused on DEI matters. Through these interactive and practice-specific sessions, students were able to understand the legal perspectives surrounding physical and learning disabilities, DEI in law firms and in-house counsel departments, and careers in social justice and civil rights.

Furthering the commitment Fordham Law made in June 2020 to address structural racism in its own community and to combat racism in society more generally, the spring orientation provided students with valuable resources and a forum for transformative conversation that goes beyond the classroom setting and will be applicable upon entering the legal profession.

“This component layers additional information, but also focuses on the relevance of this discussion to law students and the legal profession,” said Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity Kimathi Gordon-Somers, “while connecting the discussion to leadership and development.”

“The idea is to inform the students through this discussion what type of lawyer they should aspire to be by integrating these important aspects of DEI into their profession.”

To plan for the orientation, Kamille Dean, director of DEI, engaged students in a series of meetings to identify key issues. Those discussions—in addition to conversations with upper-level students who previously went through the orientation training—helped reshape the day’s sessions.

Embracing DEI in Big Law

In the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Big Law” session, a panel of lawyers shared their perspectives on a number of different aspects of DEI—from navigating law school as a diverse student to becoming a first-generation attorney in big law to climbing the corporate ladder. Diversity—as Kassem L. Lucas, partner at Troutman Pepper, noted—not only encompasses ethnicity and race, but gender, LGBT, disabilities, and veterans as well.

For students struggling with anxiety and imposter syndrome, Mohammed Farooqui, associate at Arent Fox, recommended repeating self-affirmations. Farooqui said he found that constantly reminding himself that he deserved to be sitting next to his classmates built up confidence and chipped away at what can be an intimidating academic environment, especially for first generation students.

Tanya L. Martinez-Gallinucci, fifth-year litigation associate at Cleary Gottlieb, emphasized the importance of seeking out multiple mentors. “You want some mentors to be windows and others to be mirrors. You want to be able to look out and see the path through someone that maybe you wouldn’t have otherwise seen, and you want to be able to see yourself in some of your mentors,” Martinez-Gallinucci said, noting that mentors can later serve as sponsors of your work. “The combination of those things will help get you [far]along.”

Jennifer H. Wu, partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, reflected on how walking her own path helped her excel as an attorney. Having learned English as a second language at a young age, Wu said she has used her keen eye for reading body language to her advantage in the courtroom.

Navigating Bias in the Legal Field

The legal profession remains one of the least diverse professions in the U.S., according to the American Bar Association. Dru Levasseur, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the National LGBT Bar Association, moderated the discussion titled “LGBTQ+: Advocacy and Allyship in Law School and the Legal Profession.” Panelists included Susan D. Landrum, assistant dean of academic success and professionalism at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law; Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion and assistant dean and director for multicultural affairs at Fordham University; and Nila Merola, in-house corporate counsel at Aspen Dental Management.

To help break down structural barriers often found within the legal field, the speakers encouraged students to find allies within their spaces and for allies to make themselves visible. Landrum suggested adding pronouns in your email signature and attending classmates’ LGBTQ+ group meetings as ways to show support.

Through a Fordham-specific lens, Matos outlined how the campuses at Lincoln Center and Rose Hill have worked toward greater inclusivity during the past few years. He mentioned how Fordham now has all-gender bathrooms and implemented the Chosen First Name Policy in the fall of 2020.

Merola also spoke about how more and more law firms are allocating resources to active affinity groups, as well welcoming and encouraging associates and partners to do pro bono work in support of the LGBTQ community. This, Merola noted, has been a step in the right direction, though he said there are still “miles and miles to go.”

Advocating for Oneself

Three attorneys shared their experiences and advice when navigating the legal space with a disability during the “Understanding Legal Perspectives Surrounding Physical and Learning Disabilities in the Legal Profession” panel discussion.

As an attorney and ally for the disabled community, Colleen Parker, adjunct professor and assistant director of career development at St. John’s Law, noted that disabilities are not always visible. They also include learning disabilities and mental health issues. She noted that society needs to continue to recognize individuals’ different abilities and embrace them as values.

Melissa Kubit Angelides, adjunct professor and assistant director of career development at St. John’s University School of Law, and Joseph DeJesus, associate at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, spoke to the importance of advocating for themselves—including requesting and receiving suitable accommodations for their respective disabilities. They also emphasized how individuals are the best judge of their own needs to be comfortable and succeed in their environments.

“It is so important that we change the attitude and the perception that having a disability makes someone less than, and that we help employers recognize the value added in bringing on a diverse candidate,” Angelides said.

DeJesus, in a similar vein, offered a personal perspective: “The lessons I’ve learned through navigating law school and the practice of law with a visual disability is that it’s an ongoing conversation. It’s not something that’s a ‘one and done, I have this and this is what I need.’ Sometimes it takes multiple conversations and reminding people over time of what it’s like to be in your situation.… But, most importantly, I would say hard work can overcome any obstacle, and it can overcome any initial impression that an individual may have of you.”

Another panel dedicated to discussing diversity, equity and inclusion within in-house counsel and corporate law departments was also offered. Panelists included: Juan Gonzalez, senior vice president, assistant general counsel, intellectual property at Mastercard International; Linda Lin, senior vice president, general counsel at QBE North America; Rosevelie Marquez Morales, D&I director for the Americas at Hogan Lovells; and Grissel Seijo, counsel, employment law and D&I officer at RBI.

The final elective panel students could attend was titled “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Social Justice and Civil Rights Careers.” Panelists included: Tracey Brown, managing partner at The Cochran Firm; Celina Cában Gandhi, staff attorney with Manhattan Legal Services’ Family Law Unit; and Afaf Nasher, executive director for the New York chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (“CAIR-NY”).

Moving Forward

Building on the success of spring orientation, the Law School is planning additional programming to engage students in a continuing conversation around anti-racism and DEI issues.

“The goal of the orientation program was to provide our students with the knowledge and skills to navigate today’s legal landscape and to improve diversity and inclusion at Fordham Law and in the legal profession,” said Gordon-Somers. “It is more evident that, in our profession, diversity and inclusion responsibilities must be a shared responsibility, and as a result, we will continue to strive to do more to prepare our students, as future lawyers, to think about and engage in ways to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.”

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Throughout his career, Norris Professor of Law and former Dean John D. Feerick ’61 has been a strong proponent of teaching civics engagement so that students better understand the law and their responsibilities as citizens. This year, the Feerick Center for Social Justice, alongside Fordham University’s Center for Educational Partnerships at the Graduate School of Education, has partnered with a local New York City middle school—bringing proactive civics engagement to teens and a glimpse at the legal profession.

“It wasn’t just about teaching civics, and it wasn’t just about providing the content of the lessons,” said Visiting Clinical Professor John Rogan ’14, who helped oversee the pilot program. “Our students’ creative ways to connect with the middle school students helped them think about how they can actually make a difference with the people they know and in their communities.”

Michael Chambrelli ’22, Marisa Gomez ’21, Malcolm Sanborn-Hum ’22, Brian Sarfo ’22, and Samuel Tureff ’22 volunteered to meet virtually with eighth grade students from the Bronx School of Young Leaders-Community School MS 331. When the partnership between MS 331 and Fordham Law School began to take shape, eighth grade social studies teacher Svati Lelyveld’s unit on voting in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election offered the perfect opportunity for the Fordham Law students to offer legal perspectives and complement Lelyveld’s curriculum.

Designing the Curriculum

When Feerick and his colleagues began brainstorming ways to increase external civic engagement in the fall of 2019, they never imagined what would happen the following year. The coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside down and altered plans for how Fordham Law students could meet with local middle school students in a new civics engagement initiative. Nevertheless, the law students persevered as they worked to develop lessons that could be offered remotely to eighth-graders.

With topics like voter suppression, voter mobilization, gerrymandering, mail-in voting, and the Electoral College consuming the conversation before the election, the five Fordham Law students thought outside the box for their lessons. They experimented with templates and worked on different virtual platforms so that the middle schoolers had a variety of materials to work with and learn from.

L-R: Brian Sarfo ’22, Marisa Gomez ’21, and Michael Chambrelli ’22

The law students created pre-recorded videos that addressed particular themes, such as the importance and mechanics of voting, why 18 is the legal voting age, and voter suppression. Then, the eighth graders, Lelyveld, and the law students used the videos as a springboard for class discussions, addressing questions framed in a shared Google document. The Fordham Law students also filmed individual videos that explained their unique pathways to law school to inspire the eighth graders to consider a career in law.

These remote components, according to Lauren Kanfer, associate director of the Feerick Center for Social Justice, expose the teens to the law and legal profession in the context of voting. In addition, the eighth grade students were introduced to an educational pipeline program that can lead to higher education opportunities. Ultimately, she hopes this will help create even greater diversity among students pursuing a legal education and entering the legal profession.

Kanfer added, “It was an impactful program for Lelyveld’s students, who were excited to share their ‘voting expertise’ with family and friends to encourage them to vote in the 2020 election, and for the law students, who engaged in an important civic duty by educating future voters and modeling scholarly discourse for the eighth graders.”

What’s in Store for the Spring Semester

The virtual lessons created by Fordham law students were shared across four classes, reaching some 148 students during the month of October.

Then, following the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Dean Feerick recorded a student-friendly video that explained the 25th Amendment and his instrumental role in drafting it.

“It gave me great joy to learn that the eighth grade students were eager to learn about our written Constitution and teachers were taking the lead in their education about the Constitution,” said Dean Feerick. “It is in the elementary and secondary grades those values are developed, in addition to an understanding of the components of the rule of law in our Constitution. What is true and what is not true is key to the future of our democracy.”

In February, the five Fordham Law students will continue to meet with the eighth graders and will engage in scholarly dialogue through an “Ask the Law Students a Civics Question” column. They will also virtually join Lelyveld’s classes for a unit focused on the idea of clothing as a human right and the power of organizing workers to advocate for labor and safety reforms. Later, in the spring, the law students will contribute to a unit focused on shelter.

“In our society, clothing is so important, but too often the people who manufacture our clothes are mistreated and are even rendered ‘invisible,'” Lelyveld explained. “We are focusing on labor and workers rights so students can get a glimpse of the social dynamics that are implicit in the clothing many of us wear.”

The law students will work with Lelyveld’s students on developing a policy brief advocating for worker safety reforms, according to Kanfer. The goal is to help the middle schoolers better understand the topic and hone their critical thinking skills.

“Obviously, the classes will learn different aspects of the labor movement and some of the terminology needed to understand the complexities of it. But, the cool part about this partnership is that they will also have the chance to figure out different ways of representation that, as law students, we are trained to do,” explained Sarfo, who is serving as the Feerick Center’s Amanda Rose Laura Foundation Education Law fellow and helped lead the pilot. “In our final project, the students will have the chance to work on something similar to a law school hypothetical and come up with various solutions.”

Law Students and Middle Schoolers Benefit from Collaboration

As MS 331 prepares for Fordham Law’s virtual return this semester, Lelyveld said her students can’t wait to see the law students again because they enjoyed working with them last term. She attributed that to the law students’ expertise and their ability to engage with and talk to the teens.

“The collaboration between the Bronx School of Young Leaders and Fordham Law has been very fruitful. Our eighth grade students are interacting with role models who show that lawyers are not just people in suits, but are real people who work hard and care about society. The students are interacting with a wider range of people, learning new vocabulary, and enhancing their communication skills,” Lelyveld said.

“Thanks to the example of the law students, the eighth graders are seeing that hard work and dedication to social justice can turn into a full-time career.”

Sarfo knows he and his classmates will continue to benefit from this meaningful work because they’ll still be learning new things from the intellectually curious students. “Yes, we’re here to help these students, but we’re also here to grow and learn from them, too,” he said.

“Fordham’s community goes beyond the Lincoln Center campus, and it’s been awesome to give back. It’s been so inspiring, to me, that we can make sure these students are equipped with some of the knowledge we have, as well as understand the nuances of the things happening around them.”

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Fordham Law School’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) chapter has been named Northeast Regional Chapter of the Year by the National Black Law Students Association.

“When deciding who should receive Chapter of the Year, our committee unanimously decided that Fordham would receive the award,” said Ashlica Malcolm, Northeast Regional Director of Community Service at the National Black Law Students Association. “From hosting over 40 events to helping shape the Fordham Law School community for Black students, Fordham’s BLSA Chapter exemplified the meaning of Black excellence and community engagement. Their commitment to establishing real institutionalized change shows the power behind people when an initiative is executed by visionaries with the purpose to create a legacy.”

Proponents for Change

Abdulai Turay ’22 and Tatiana Hyman ’22 stepped into their respective roles as president and vice president of BLSA at a particularly challenging time. “There was the pandemic, then there was the huge uprising for social justice,” explained Turay. To lead the BLSA board meant not only becoming leaders in their Fordham community but addressing two worldwide crises. “We felt it was on us to use that momentum to make change within the law school,” Hyman added. 

In spring 2020, the BLSA board met with the law school’s Black student body to brainstorm a list of recommendations for the school’s administration to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment for its Black students.

“To see those changes we advocated for coming to fruition—from hiring a diversity and inclusion director to seeing a near doubling of the Black 1L class—that’s really been the shining star of our work,” said Hyman. 

Serving the Community

Members of Fordham’s BLSA deliver school supplies and PPE to students at Our Lady of Grace School in the Bronx, New York, as part of the Northeast BLSA Back To School Drive.

Fordham’s BLSA chapter has a deep commitment to community service. Brian Sarfo ’22 serves as the Fordham BLSA community service chair, and despite the challenges of organizing service work during the pandemic, he organized a day of service with Operation Backpack to box school supplies for NYC children in homeless and domestic violence shelters as well as a supply drive for a school in the Bronx.

“In the community service role I was forced to think outside the box about how we as a chapter could get involved beyond the doors of the law school in the midst of a pandemic,” Sarfo explained. “I am extremely grateful to have served in the role at a crucial time in which service and assistance were so needed.”

Over the past year, the board has worked collectively to strengthen the BLSA community, both with current students and alumni, and despite the constraints of a largely-virtual setting, their numerous events have been a success. “Even if there’s not huge attendance, we’re creating a space where people want to go,” Turay remarked.

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Second-year student Tatiana Hyman ’22 was recently elected editor-in-chief of the Fordham Law Review. She is the first Black student to ever hold the position in the history of the journal, which has been published continuously since 1935.

Though she does not officially assume the editor-in-chief role until the end of the academic year, her responsibilities have already begun, as she has already started planning for the 90th volume of the Law Review, which will be published in six issues over the 2021–22 school year.

A Lifelong Passion for the Law 

“Growing up, I always had an interest in the law,” remembers Tatiana Hyman ’22. “When I was three or four, I would tell my family members that I was going to be president of the United States.”

The New York City native then carved an educational path with a legal career in mind. Her first internship as a teen was in the mayor’s office, and as an undergraduate at University of Pennsylvania, she studied criminology. After working for a few years as a compliance analyst at Morgan Stanley, she felt ready to take the inevitable next step: law school. Coming back to New York was non-negotiable for her, as her family, who immigrated from Jamaica, was here. “I really wanted to be closer to my family during law school, which I knew would be a more stressful experience for me,” she notes. 

Breaking Barriers

The election process for the Law Review was no small feat. In addition to her 2L classwork and duties as vice president of Fordham’s Black Law Students Association chapter (BLSA), Hyman had to complete a publishable note and go through 10 interviews with the journal’s current editorial board before being elected to the editor-in-chief role. Despite all the work, she knew it would be worth it. “I think that’s just who I am,” she explains. “I don’t shy away from challenges… It took a lot of grit.” 

“It’s an amazing feeling, knowing a barrier has been broken… I recognize the institutional, structural, and historical hurdles, but for me, it was primarily a mental hurdle,” she says. During her 1L year, she remembers that there were no other Black students on the Law Review staff. “I think people who do not have the experience of being the minority don’t understand the mental fortitude and courage it takes to go into spaces where you are the only person who looks like you.”

Naturally, she already has several goals in mind for her tenure at the helm of the journal. “I’d love to make Law Review a more transparent publication,” she says. “So that other incoming 1L students have a better idea of what journals do. And I’m also making it a priority to amplify voices that are underrepresented.”

Hyman says she is “overwhelmed” by the positive responses she has received upon her appointment, and she hopes that her time as editor-in-chief will make it clear that exceptional Black students are “not an anomaly.” During her lengthy interview process, she watched with the rest of the nation as Kamala Harris was sworn in as our country’s first Black vice president. Witnessing that milestone bolstered her own confidence, she recalls, saying, “In two words: Representation matters.”

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On February 18, 2021, the Fordham Black Law Students Association (BLSA) hosted a virtual event recognizing 15 Black alumni for their extraordinary achievements in private practice, government, and corporate legal departments. They were honored for contributions ranging from training and mentoring to leadership in their fields.

Jennifer Jones Austin ’93

The event—“Roads to Success: Blazing Trails for Future Black Lawyers”—also featured the inaugural Eunice Carter Award, presented to Jennifer Jones Austin ’93, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. The award is named for Eunice Carter ’32, the first Black woman to graduate from Fordham Law as well as the first Black woman to serve as an assistant district attorney in New York County. The award was created to honor a Fordham Law alumnus embodying Carter’s spirit of pioneering and innovation.

Eunice Carter’s great-granddaughter Leah Carter, who attended the virtual event, remarked that “Eunice would be incredibly pleased and proud” of her legacy at Fordham. Leah added that her great-grandmother’s “strength, perseverance, and passion for her work” are among the similarities between her great-grandmother and Jones Austin.

Jones Austin thanked her classmates and faculty for encouraging her to forge her own path in serving others, remarking, “I discovered my calling— my purpose in life—is to work on behalf of God’s most vulnerable children.”

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