Returning to Lead

Surrounded by his family, friends, former colleagues, and many members of the Fordham Law community, Matthew Diller was celebrated as the new Fordham Law Dean at a welcome reception on September 16 in the Skadden Conference Center. Nearly 300 people attended to offer their congratulations to the Law School’s 11th dean.

In his remarks, Dean Diller outlined his initial goals for the School, which include strengthening the Fordham community, focusing on career outcomes for students, and establishing new programs in up-and-coming areas.

“I look forward to working with you to deepen our engagement and broaden our impact—to realize the full potential of this great law school that so many of you have worked so hard to build,” said Diller. “I will work to expand our reach with new programs that focus on emerging legal fields… We have incredible intellectual capital and will offer new audiences legal knowledge and skills.”

Fordham Law Alumni Association President Michael Stanton, Jr. ’86 served as emcee, introducing speakers Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham; Hon. Deborah Batts of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, a former Fordham Law professor who served on the appointment committee that first hired Diller at Fordham in 1993; and Professor John Feerick ’61, who, Diller said, “provided a model for what it means to be a great leader and dean.” In attendance were two other former deans: William Michael Treanor (2002–2010) and Michael M. Martin (2011–2015).

“Matthew Diller is a man who weds brilliance with great heart, a man who was made for Fordham Law School,” said Father McShane.

Dean Diller expressed his excitement at working with alumni, faculty, and students during his tenure and his enthusiasm for the mission of the Law School.

“I believe that law school can be and should be empowering, exciting, and invigorating for our students. It’s important to me that every Fordham Law student have a great experience,” he said. “Our mission is to instill our students with the conviction that they make a difference in the world, in their communities, and in the lives of their clients and to equip them with the skills and opportunities to do so.”