NOVEMBER 2022

Dean's Dispatch, Alumni Edition, Syracuse University College of Law

From the desk of Dean Boise

As the crisp fall air finally begins to arrive in the Syracuse area, we once again lit up our fireplace at Dineen Hall on November 9, gathering around the Hon. Bernadette Romano Clark L’89 and Harold T. Clark Hearth for the annual Fireplace Lighting Ceremony. Students, faculty, and staff came together for a toast from Vice Dean Keith Bybee, welcome remarks from Class of 2025 President Brett VanBuren, and seasonal treats.

We have so much to be thankful for this year as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. I am particularly grateful to you, our alumni, and the many ways you give back to the College of Law year after year. From all of us, I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!

Vice Dean Bybee offers a toast around the dedicated fireplace hearth with fall decorations and lit fire, pumpkin decorations adorn an orange tablecloth, and an aerial image of students filling their plates with food and cups with hot apple cider before the lighting ceremony
 

Featured News & Updates

 

Adrienne Graves Joins College of Law as New Director of Alumni Relations

Adrienne Graves Joins College of Law as New Director of Alumni Relations

I am thrilled to welcome Adrienne as our new Director of Alumni Relations. Be on the lookout for communications from Adrienne and anticipate meeting her here in Syracuse or in a city near you. I encourage you to reach out to her to introduce yourself and share your favorite College of Law memories and any ideas you have for meaningful alumni engagement in our mission. You can reach Adrienne at algraves@syr.edu.

Job Opening: Deputy General Counsel for Business and Governance Affairs

SU is hiring orange graphic with a magnifying glass, looking for a new deputy general counsel for business and governance affairs

Syracuse University is looking for a new Deputy General Counsel for Business and Governance Affairs. The Deputy GC will be responsible for providing advice to SU, its 13 schools and colleges, and its domestic and international centers for research and scholarship on business transactions, regulatory, and governance matters.

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College of Law Co-Sponsors Raise the Age Summit

Raise the Age Summit, four panelists sitting at a long desk with a PPT screen behind them, speaking to attendees

Thanks to Professor Paula Johnson and the more than 30 speakers who joined a compelling and timely learning exchange in partnership with the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the NY State Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives. Panelists and keynote speakers examined the impact of the Raise the Age legislation.

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Prof. Arlene Kanter and S.J.D. Candidate Yohannes Zewale LL.M. ’19 and Discuss Disability Rights and Citizenship

panelists in front of an audience for disability law and policy panel, with one man speaking at a podium and a shot from the back of the room showing the audience

The panel discussion hosted by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Renewing Democratic Community: Disability Rights and Citizenship in the Modern Civil Rights Era, examined how promoting disability rights moves us closer to realizing the promise of full citizenship in democracies here and around the world.

More on the Panel
 

Prof. Jenny Breen Moderates “Labor’s Revival: Unions and the Struggle for Racial and Economic Justice”

Four panelists in front of courtroom sitting at a desk and speaking to attendees

A panel of prominent labor leaders met to discuss the U.S. labor movement and the pursuit of dignity and democracy at work.

Professor Breen moderated the discussion hosted by the Lender Center for Social Justice, with panelists Jan Brisack, Organizer, Starbucks Workers United; Johnnie Kallas, Director, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Labor Action Tracker; and Chris Smalls, President, Amazon Labor Union. 

Event Information
 
 

Honoring Our Veterans

 

The College of Law hosted a spectacular array of events in celebration of Veterans Day in early November. Read about them below!

College of Law Hosts the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) for Live Oral Arguments

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims attendees gather for a photo smiling in front of the courtroom, with flags behind them

The Court’s return visit provided an opportunity for our students, faculty and staff, alumni, and our legal community to observe the Court in action and learn about veterans’ law and benefits, federal practice, and administrative law.

During the live oral argument, the three-judge panel held oral arguments on a current case involving the interpretation of federal regulations that guide adjudication of a widow’s entitlement to disability benefits.

CAVC Judges Meet with Students

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Judges sit around a rectangular desk set-up to talk with students

As part of the Court’s visit, Judges met with students to discuss judicial opinions and appellate advocacy. Professor Andrew Greenberg moderated the discussion. Following the event, Greg Block, the Clerk of Court, moderated a career panel discussion with attorneys from the VA’s Office of General Counsel, the attorneys representing the appellant in the case heard in Dineen Hall that day, and the Court’s judicial law clerks.

Annual Valor Day Takes Place During the CNY Veterans Expo at the NYS Fairgrounds

compilation of students at the CNY veterans expo at the new york state fairgrounds talking to veterans at the booth, smiling and shaking hands, interacting for consultations

Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic Director Beth Kubala and students joined lawyers from the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY Inc. and Hancock Estabrook to meet with more than 70 veterans and their family members to provide free legal consultations during this year’s Expo

Happy Thanksgiving! The College of Law is partnering with Tully Rinckey PLCC to help veterans and military families celebrate the holiday. We look forward to delivering turkeys to 125 veterans and military members here in Dineen Hall on November 21. Help us spread the word!

 

Alumni News

 

Screen still of JDinteractive YouTube video promotion, focused on a smiling tiffany loveL'22 in front of an old version of the american flag

In Their Words: The JDinteractive Class of 2022

From across the country and around the world, our JDi law grads study year-round while balancing their full-time work and family obligations. Watch and listen to their experiences, and how the College of Law enables them to fulfill their dreams and progress in their careers – working around the demands of their daily lives.

Thanks to 2022 JDi graduates Miranda Bouchey, Jason Fiegel, Tiffany Love, Samir Shah, Eric Wacaster, and Kelsey Wagner for sharing your story with us!

 

President Joe Biden smiles for a selfie with a few smiling College of Law students

College of Law Students Meet President Joe Biden L’68 at Onondaga Community College

President Biden was in Syracuse to speak about Micron Technology’s plans to invest up to $100 billion in a computer chip fabrication complex just outside of the city. Our students were proud to meet with our most famous alumnus.

 

November 29 is Giving ’Cuse Day

Here at the College of Law, we like to turn #GivingTuesday into #GivingCUSEDay! This is a great opportunity to pay it forward and make your annual gift to the College of Law. Watch for details in your inbox and on social media. If you have already made your annual gift, THANK YOU!

 

The Law Firm Giving Challenge Returns

Attention Central New York Law Firms: The Law Firm Giving Challenge will kick off in December. Watch for details in your inbox! For more information or to make sure your firm is entered in the challenge, contact Fritz Diddle at 315.443.1339 or fjdiddle@syr.edu.

 

Student News

 

3Ls Anna Skandalis and Elyse Maugeri Win the 11th Annual Bond, Schoeneck & King ADR Competition

I served as a Judge for this year’s final round alongside Brian Butler L’96, managing member Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC’s Syracuse office; Alan Epstein L’74, Board of Advisors member and President and CEO of CI Renewables LLC, the parent of KDC Solar; and the Honorable Danielle Fogel L’04, Supreme Court Justice in the Fifth Judicial District. Thanks to them and the 13 other judges who judged the preliminary, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds. 

Congratulations to Anna and Elyse, who prevailed over 3Ls Cameron Rustay and Peter Calleri. Peter was also named Best Overall Advocate in the Final Round. The students’ performance in this year’s competition was exceptional!

2Ls Patrick Farrell and Alexander Shaw Win the 2022 Mackenzie Hughes LLP Edmund H. Lewis Appellate Advocacy Competition

Congratulations to Patrick and Alexander, who also won Best Brief, to Patrick who was awarded Best Advocate, and to the finalists, 3Ls Carlos Negron and Matthew Calogero.

This year’s final-round judges were John F. Boyd II L’16, Court Attorney, Fifth Judicial District of New York; Lauryn P. Gouldin, Laura J. & L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, 2022–2025 & Crandall Melvin Professor of Law; David Katz L’17, Litigator, Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet, P.C.; and Thomas M. Leith, Appellate Attorney, Hiscock Legal Aid Society. Thanks to the 16 other judges who presided over the preliminary, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds. 

Syracuse Public Interest Network’s SPIN Week Kicks off with Pro Bono Job Fair

The Pro Bono Fair, held in Dineen Hall on November 7, provided an opportunity for students to interact with some amazing organizations and inquire about upcoming pro bono opportunities.

Thank you to the following Pro Bono Fair participants: Troy Parker L’21, Crystal Doody L’05 and Glafira Pytlak from Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.; Adam Martin L’20 and Silvana Vergara from Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY; Gregory Dewan, Lucero Mistry and John Jeha L’17 from Hiscock Legal Aid Society; Krystian Opalinski L’12 and Victoria (Tori) Bahl L’16 from Monroe County Public Defender’s Office; and Mary Cipriano-Walter from Prisoner’s Legal Services of New York.

Halloween Celebrations at the College of Law!

Faculty members dressed up to hand out candy to students, including a skeleton, cowgirl, otto the orange, mummy, and student accepting some food at a table of goodies
 

Faculty & Department News

 

Podcast: Professor Todd Berger interviews CNN Senior Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic

Professor Berger sat down with CNN Senior Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic as the Supreme Court started its new term to discuss hot topics facing the Court with the veteran reporter, including the Court’s legitimacy crisis, the idea of court packing, and the legacy of Chief Justice John Roberts.

Associate Dean Suzette Meléndez Speaks on DEI Panel at the 2022 Associate Dean Conference at the Texas A&M School of Law

Professor Melendez and her fellow panelists addressed issues related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, including the recent addition of ABA Standard 303(c), which requires law schools to deliver meaningful education on bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism.

Scholarship With Impact

Our faculty continue to provide measured commentary on some of the hottest media topics, including:

 
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How You Can Be Engaged

 

Volunteer. Let us know if you would be open to speaking on career panels or supporting our students in interactive in-person or virtual “pitch” sessions to help them with interview skills. 

Jobs. Employment success of law graduates account for 18% of US News Best Law School rankings. If you can, help our students with work experiences while they are in law school through externships for academic credit or internships (paid or unpaid), or provide the network to help our 3Ls and recent 2022 graduates with permanent post-graduation roles.

How? Email the Office of Career Services at lawcareer@syr.edu.

 

For More Information

 

Questions? Please contact Sophie Dagenais, Assistant Dean for Advancement and External Affairs, at sdagenai@syr.edu or 315.443.4536.

Contact us at 315.443.1964 or LawAlumni@syr.edu to send us your news. Remember, you can also update your contact information on ’Cuse Community.

I’ll keep you updated on our news in future editions of the Dean’s Dispatch, and for those of you who use social media, be sure to follow us on FacebookTwitterLinkedIn, and Instagram for timely updates and photographs.

You also can connect with me on my own LinkedIn account.

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