Fordham Law School opened its doors prior to the start of the fall semester, welcoming its newest class of students to the Lincoln Center campus for in-person orientation.
This year’s orientation consisted of programming that provided overviews of what to expect in the first year of law school as well as an introduction to law through courses in legal process, quantitative methods, and legal practice. Incoming 1Ls spoke with their house leaders, professors, fellow classmates, and upper-year students during small-group meetings and activities.
Dean Matthew Diller addresses the newest class at Fordham Law on Aug. 16.
Fordham Law School Dean Matthew Diller welcomed the class with a smile behind his mask, emphasizing the important role lawyers have in shaping collective life at this time. “Our society is in an incredibly uncertain period marked by changing norms, waves of misinformation, upheaval, and stark inequalities,” Dean Diller told the day-division students on Aug. 16. “But, it’s also a period of great hope and potential.”
“We’re returning to basic questions about fairness in our society and having debates that have been long and coming—debates about race, sexism, and gender,” he continued. “Together, this means that we as a society are questioning the way things work and searching for new paths forward.”
Dean Diller also spoke to Fordham Law’s motto, “In the service of others,” which remains the driving force for much of the work that Fordham Law students encounter, participate in, and excel in during their academic journeys and beyond.
“Our mission is to prepare you to be the kind of lawyer who contributes to the social good—who works effectively to make our society more fair, equal, and just while representing clients ethically and responsibly,” he said. “We will do everything we can to give you the tools to do so.”
Dean Diller added, “My expectation of you, as law students, is that you will commit yourselves to using your time at Fordham Law to gain the skills, knowledge, and values, to go out there into the world in just a few short years with the passion and ability to make a difference, and to help our society create solutions that are fair and just in both individual cases and on a systemic level.”
Joseph Landau, the new associate dean for academic affairs, also addressed the 1Ls, emphasizing the invaluable community resources that are available at Fordham Law. He also shared advice with the students they should keep in mind as they navigate their journeys at the Law School. “Be open to different perspectives and be open to different ways of conveying information,” he advised. “We thrive on robust conversation and thrive on growing, learning, and stretching.”
“We must, at all times, remember to be open to that process,” Dean Landau continued. “It is a process that constantly changes as we interact with two phenomena—the underlying tension in the law between continuity and change, and the seismic moments we are experiencing that demand new ways of thinking and being in the world.”
Fordham Law Alumni Association President Palmina Fava ’97 spoke about the alumni network that is ready, willing, and able to lend a listening ear and helping hand from around the world. “In addition to the learnings from the caselaw, open yourself to learning from the people who are seated around you, and from the professors, administrators, and alumni community. Reach out to the Fordham Law network,” Fava said. “We will respond to your emails; we will respond to your calls because, before you, somebody responded to ours and we will all pay it forward.”
“We take very seriously the motto, ‘In the service of others,'” she added, “and we take very seriously putting Fordham first.”
Student Bar Association Evening Vice President Jennifer Godfrey ’24 welcomed the students, highlighting the purpose of SBA and reiterating why Fordham Law’s student community is particularly exceptional. “Law school is challenging,” she said, “but, if you approach all obstacles with an open mind, the next three years can be some of the most fulfilling years of your life.”
“Each challenge prepares you for the future and allows you to grow as a person,” Godfrey added. “Now is the time for collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and interpersonal and professional development.”
Roosevelt B. Ettienne ’22, the first African American male Student Bar Association president at Fordham Law, steps up to the podium to speak with new Fordham Law students.
Incoming 1Ls met with their BSA advisors and liaisons in the Law School’s house system—including representatives from Alumni Relations, Career Planning Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Maloney Law Library, Public Interest Resource Center, and Student Affairs. Students asked questions on matters ranging from what to expect in the first year academically and how to best utilize the library to the best local eats for off-campus dining.
Students also spent their orientation learning more about the legal process, quantitative methods, and legal practice in general with Fordham Law professors as well participating in BSA-led wellness and professionalism programming. Events such as a welcome barbecue, outdoor movie night, ice cream social, and a first-generation student meet and greet allowed first-year students to come together with their peers in informal settings.
The fall semester will begin on Aug. 25 with all students returning to campus for in-person learning.
