The Fordham Law School International Law Affinity Group launched its first event in January 2017 with a mock interview event focused on international LL.M. and M.S.L. students as well as J.D.s with an international interest. Judge Michael Newman, president of the Federal Bar Association, flew in from Dayton, Ohio, for the occasion to give remarks, and Judge Loretta Preska J.D. ’73 and FLAA President Sharon McCarthy J.D. ’89 were among the esteemed interviewers.
The mock interview session, which drew over 200 individuals, consisted of three 20-minute interviews for each student. Interviewers consisted primarily of legal practitioners with significant international expertise and Fordham Law alumni with international interests and backgrounds. The session helped prepare students for a major job fair occurring later that month.
According to Assistant Dean Toni Jaeger-Fine, international graduate students face unique challenges in finding jobs and internships. Many law firms do not understand that Fordham Law School’s graduate students do not require a visa for the year following graduation; moreover, these candidates include many skilled lawyers with deep experience.
The International Affinity group is dedicated to following Dean Matthew Diller’s vision of stimulating direct connections between alumni, faculty, and students by strengthening alumni connections and support for Fordham’s international programs and students. The group will be launching an admissions ceremony at the Court of International Trade on October 30, forming an advisory board, and hoping to launch a Fordham event at the United Nations in the coming year. On January 22, 2018, we will be holding a mock interview program and reception at the Law School. We hope you will RSVP.
U.S. News and World Report ranked Fordham’s international programs #14 in the nation. The International Law Affinity Group hopes to bring the Fordham community together by spreading the good news around the world.
International Affinity Group Co-Chairs
Raymond J. Dowd J.D. ’91, Partner, Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP
Alejandro Cremades LL.M. ’09, Executive Chairman, CoFoundersLab