MOU Signed with Al Yamamah University

On February 5, Dr. Hussam Ramadan of Al Yamamah University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the College and AYU. The College will both serve as a consultant to AYU on the development of AYU’s new Master’s Degree in Business Law program and explore other academic collaborations. Thank you to Assistant Dean of International Programs Andrew Horsfall for facilitating this agreement.

Celebrating Diversity Law Day

Organized by Director of Admissions Steve Budgar and other members of the Enrollment Management team, the College of Law celebrated Diversity Law Day 2019 on February 8, welcoming students from Utica Proctor, Elmcrest, Henninger, Nottingham, Fowler, and Geneva high schools to Dineen Hall. Thank you to faculty members who joined local attorneys and students on panels to discuss the importance of diversity, inclusion, and representation in the legal profession. The high schoolers asked pertinent questions about how to get into the legal profession and how to apply to law school.

College of Law to Host VALOR Day

The College of Law will hold its bi-annual VALOR Day event on March 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Dineen Hall. Local attorneys and professionals will offer free legal and financial services for veterans, active duty service members, reserve service members, and their immediate families. I offer my thanks to all of our student advocates who are spending a lot of time and energy to ensure another successful VALOR Day.

College of Law Dominates at the National Trial Competition Regional Competition

I’m pleased to congratulate 3L Dennis Scanlon and 2L Adam Leydig, who were co-winners of the Region 2 National Trial Competition in Buffalo, NY. They will represent the College at the national competition in San Antonio, TX, in March. Adam also won Best Cross Examination and the Anthony DeMarco Jr. Region 2 Overall Best Advocate Award. Dennis was the runner-up for the Overall Best Advocate Award.

I’m grateful to our faculty and alumni who assisted coach Joanne Van Dyke L’87, including Joseph S. Cote III L’87, Michelle Whitton Cowan L’07, Gary Kelder, Jeffrey G. Leibo L’03, Stephanie M. Martin-Thom L’18, Jimmie C. McCurdy L’09, Lee Michaels L’67, Annie M. Millar L’18, and Justin St. Louis L’17.

Adriana Mark L’03 Hosts NYCEx Students

Distinguished Guest Lecturer Adriana Mark L’03, Deputy Circuit Librarian for the Second Circuit, hosted NYCEx students in Manhattan as they learned about the historic Thurgood Marshall US Courthouse, and attended oral arguments presided over by Syracuse-based Judge Rosemary Pooler, of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

DCEx Students Learn International Legal Perspectives from Lana Yaghi L’14

On January 29, Spring 2019 DCEx students visited alumna Lana Yaghi L’14 at K&L Gates. Lana is an attorney in the firm’s DC and Doha, Qatar, offices, where her practice focuses on corporate and commercial matters in aviation, cybersecurity, defense, and telecommunications. Lana was a participant in the inaugural cohort of DCEx students, in Spring 2014.

Going for a SPIN

Cora True-Frost and Kevin Maillard enthusiastically kicked off the live portion of the 2019 SPIN Auction in Dineen Hall on February 14. Proceeds from the auction raise money for summer fellowships for students interested in public interest law. Among the items auctioned were center court tickets for SU basketball, bar prep courses, and dinner with a professor. The silent portion of the auction began after the live Valentine’s Day event and will wrap up at the March 23 Barrister’s Ball. For more information about the SPIN Auction, contact Nichole Sands at nmsands@syr.edu or 716.364.3349, or to make a contribution please contact Lisa Ladew in our Advancement Office.

Law Faculty Use CUSE Grant to Promote Civics Education

In May 2018, the University awarded Kim Wolf Price and Lauryn Gouldin a Syracuse University Collaboration for Unprecedented Success and Excellence (CUSE) grant to develop the Syracuse Civics Initiative.

Kim and Lauryn continue to build and strengthen connections with courts, bar associations, school districts, and other organizations to promote civics education programming in our community. In December, Chief Judge Robert Katzmann invited them to join the Second Circuit’s project on civic engagement—Justice for All: Courts and the Community—as members of the Advisory Group of the Civic Education Committee. In February, Wolf Price and NYCEx students toured the new Justice for All Learning Center in the company of Adriana Mark L’03, the court’s Deputy Circuit Librarian.

Three College of Law Scholars Featured in Bialystok Legal Studies

Michael Schwartz and Cora True-Frost, along with alumnus Eric Namungalu LL.M.’18, are featured in a special disability studies issue of Białostockie Studia Prawnicze (Bialystok Legal Studies). The peer-reviewed journal is published by the faculty of law of the University of Bialystok, Poland, one of our international partners.

Robert Ashford Presents on Inclusive Capitalism in the UK

Robert Ashford presented on inclusive capitalism, binary economics, and socioeconomics at two forums in the UK in February 2019. On February 7, Ashford spoke about inclusive capitalism at Syracuse University’s Faraday House in London. He then traveled to Oxford University on February 8 to discuss his ideas at the Conference on Endogenous Growth, Participatory Economics, and Inclusive Capitalism.

INSCT Holds Civil Affairs Training

On February 5, Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism Army War College Fellow COL Jake Larkowich discussed civil affairs operations in the Dineen Hall Collaboratory with members of the reserve 403d Civil Affairs Battalion (Mattydale, NY). The battalion members were guests of INSCT and the College of Law, receiving a briefing and training before their deployment to East Africa to assist the Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

NPR SCOTUS Correspondent Nina Totenberg to Speak on Campus March 5

I am honored to have been asked to join NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg on stage in Hendricks Chapel when she speaks on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the University Lectures series. Totenberg is a legend in legal and radio reporting, and she is a regular on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. The College is a co-sponsor of the event, and we have a limited number of reserved seats available. If you are interested in sitting in that reserved section, please let Administrative Assistant Katie Lipp know.

Save-the-Date: Naturalization Ceremony Set for April 4

Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks L’91 once again will preside over a Naturalization Ceremony at Dineen Hall, on April 4 at noon. Please mark your calendar to join alumni, students, local dignitaries, and new citizens and their families at what will be a joyful and patriotic celebration of citizenship, followed by a reception. Last year’s ceremony was one of the highlights of the year!

In the Land of Orange

INSCT Director James E. Baker and I had a wonderful time on the West Coast recently, catching up with Orange alumni of both the College and the University. We attended a San Francisco reception on January 29 and a Los Angeles event on January 31. On both evenings we had ample time to deliver updates about the College and plans for INSCT, announce the expansion of our Externship Program to the West Coast, and mingle with alumni.

In addition, Assistant Dean for Advancement and External Affairs Sophie Dagenais and I had a number of good meetings in both cities with donors and prospective donors who we are cultivating in connection with our upcoming campaign.