Four Fordham Law students—Feyisara (Feyi) Idera ’26, Amy Kong ’26, Jane Sun ’26, and Jennifer Tiburcio ’26—were selected to participate in the 2024 New York City Bar Association Diversity Fellowship Program. Idera will spend her summer at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, Kong at Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, Sun at BNY Mellon, and Tiburcio at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
The New York City Bar Diversity Fellowship Program is available to all law students of all backgrounds who have encountered barriers on their path to a legal career, offering them a unique summer employment opportunity in outstanding law firms and corporate law departments.
Bryna Beckler-Knoll, Esq., director of career planning and diversity at the Law School’s Career Planning Center, congratulated the students on their selection “to this very prestigious fellowship.” “Each is talented, accomplished and has demonstrated a consistent and deep commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all of the communities in which they are a part,” she said. “I know that they will bring their intellect, drive and compassion to their respective employers and will make the most of their summer placements as they continue to chart the course to their bright future legal careers.”
“We had an outstanding and diverse slate of candidates this year and we are very pleased that so many excellent Fordham students were selected to participate in this important fellowship program,” added Professor Kimani Paul-Emile, the Robert L. Levine Distinguished Research Scholar at Fordham Law and a member of the screening committee.
Fordham Law has a well-established track record of success with the New York City Bar Association Diversity Fellowship Program. To date, 115 Fordham students have been selected to participate in the program. Past students have been placed at Viacom, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Apple Bank, among other businesses, and law firms including Perkins Coie, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
Feyisara (Feyi) Idera
Hometown: Morris Plains, NJ
Previous education: B.A. Psychology, Minor: Criminal Justice, The George Washington University
Co-curricular activities at Fordham Law: REAL Scholar; 1L representative of Fordham’s Black Law Students Association; member of Fordham First Generation Students, Fordham Business and Law Association, and Fordham Law Women
Placed with: Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
How do you feel about being selected as a fellow?: “I am truly honored to have been selected as a NYCBA Diversity Fellow. As the daughter of two Nigerian immigrants, this accomplishment holds significant meaning for both my family and me. I am thankful for the Realizing Excellence and Access in the Law (REAL) Scholars program, which played a pivotal role in my seamless transition from undergrad to law school by providing invaluable guidance and mentorship. I also extend my gratitude to the Black Law Students Association for their invaluable resources, which have immensely benefited my pursuit of a legal career. Furthermore, I am grateful for the support and direction of Bryna Beckler-Knoll, director of Career Planning & Diversity. I also appreciate the assistance offered by past fellows throughout the process, and I am excited to carry on the tradition and assist next year’s fellows.”
What are you looking forward to as a NYCBA Diversity Fellow?: “I am looking forward to creating meaningful connections with colleagues and learning more about the financial services industry from experienced attorneys. Additionally, I am excited about the prospect of applying the skills I have acquired during my first year of law school to real-world cases, where I can make a tangible difference in assisting clients.”
Amy Kong
Hometown: Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong S.A.R.
Previous education: B.B.A. Emory University, Goizueta School of Business; B.A. Spanish, Emory University, College of Arts and Sciences
Co-curricular activities at Fordham Law: REAL Scholar and Mentor; evening division representative of Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, 2LE president of Fordham Evening Division Society; member of the Evening Division Faculty Committee; Fordham Center on Law and Information Policy (CLIP) Decennial Fellow; Board of Student Advisors mentor; and member of Fordham First Generation Students
Placed with: Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt
How do you feel about being selected as a fellow?: “The journey to a legal career has been a long winded one. As a marathon runner, I suppose the feeling of being selected is most analogous to reaching mile 26 of a race. There’s a special type of gratitude and pride you feel when you see that the effort you put in has gotten you somewhere. The sense of achievement comes not from the medal, but from the person you have grown to be and the chosen family you have gained in the process of developing yourself.”
What are you looking forward to as a NYCBA Diversity Fellow?: “Earlier this year, I asked a friend why she would choose to partake in the diversity fellowship if big law was already an option. She answered, ‘Well, if I go into a firm, that’s just it. I’m just another summer associate at a firm, and I’ll probably do that in another summer. But if I am a part of NYCBA, I am a part of something bigger than myself—a part of a dedicated mission towards fostering diversity and inclusion in this industry.’ Those words really stayed with me. I am often in awe and inspired by individuals like her, and I look forward to meeting more trailblazers within this community I am honored to now be a part of.”
Jane Sun
Hometown: San Mateo, CA
Previous education: B.A., Museum Studies and New Media, Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU
Co-curricular activities at Fordham Law: Diversity, equity, and inclusion chair of Fordham Art Law Society; 1L representative of Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and Artist Representation Society
Placed with: BNY Mellon
How do you feel about being selected as a fellow?: “I’m thrilled to receive this opportunity as a first-generation lawyer, and I’m very grateful to everyone throughout the process who provided me with such amazing guidance and insight.”
What are you looking forward to as a NYCBA Diversity Fellow?: “I’m looking forward to learning deeply about the work of in-house counsel at my assignment this summer, as well as the opportunity to connect with fellows across New York City law schools to discuss how we can advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals at our respective placements throughout the summer.”
Jennifer Tiburcio
Hometown: Freeport, NY
Previous education: B.A., Political Science, SUNY Binghamton University
Co-curricular activities at Fordham Law: REAL Scholar; 1L rep of Fordham Business and Law Association and Latin American Law Students Association
Placed with: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
How do you feel about being selected as a fellow?: “As a first-generation college and law student, I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected as a fellow and to start my legal career with so much support and guidance. I’m truly excited and eager to see what experiences the summer at Paul, Weiss holds for me.”
What are you looking forward to as a NYCBA Diversity Fellow?: “I am most looking forward to working closely with accomplished attorneys, participating in mentorship opportunities, and applying the skills I have acquired this year to substantive legal work. I also am really excited to meet and connect with the other NYCBA Diversity Fellows.”