Ryan Lawless FCRH ’16, LAW ’25 is his family’s first law school graduate. Before attending Fordham Law, he worked as a teacher in Turkey and Spain and later as a paralegal. During law school, Lawless supported victims of financial mismanagement through the Securities Litigation and Arbitration clinic, assisted immigrants with the Legal Aid Society as an intern, and advocated for incarcerated mothers through the Incarcerated Mothers Law Project. He also served as a professionalism fellow, helping the Office of Professionalism organize orientation and professional development programs, and is now a Pro Bono Scholar.
Lawless capped his final year at Fordham Law with a memorable visit to the Vatican, where he found himself part of a crowd witnessing what he described as “an unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime experience”—a personal glimpse of Pope Leo XIV as he made his debut as the 267th pontiff.
After graduating, he will join Weil, Gotshal & Manges as an associate in the firm’s corporate group.
Where did you grow up and go to college?
I grew up in Queens and spent a lot of time in Ireland. I went to Fordham undergrad, where I majored in English and Spanish. I’m graduating from the Law School in May.
Why did you pick Fordham for Law School?
I chose Fordham because I knew it would provide the opportunities and connections to start a career at a global firm in the city, which was my goal. Having already experienced Fordham as an undergraduate, I was confident in its strong community and the academic and professional resources it provides, making Fordham a good fit for my goals.
What was your journey to law school?
Pope Leo XIV.
My parents are immigrants and I’m the first in my family to pursue a legal career. Before law school, I worked in a few different fields. I taught English abroad, worked in construction and at an architecture firm, and later became a paralegal for the Queens district attorney (DA). At the DA’s Office, I was the first support staff member of the Conviction Integrity Unit, where I helped investigate wrongful conviction claims and assisted with several exonerations. That experience reaffirmed my decision to become a lawyer. I saw how the law can be a powerful tool for ensuring justice and upholding fundamental rights.
What activities or organizations were you involved in at Fordham Law?
I’ve focused on gaining practical experience during law school, and I’ve been able to do so through a few different activities and organizations. Right now, I’m a Pro Bono Scholar doing full time pro bono work with the Incarcerated Mothers Law Project. We conduct legal clinics at prisons throughout the state, supporting incarcerated mothers and advocating for their rights. Before that, I worked for the Securities Litigation and Arbitration Clinic, where our clients were often working-class Americans whose life savings had been compromised due to poor investment practices. I also had the opportunity to intern with the Legal Aid Society.
Outside of those roles, I’ve served as a professionalism fellow, where I help the Office of Professionalism organize orientation and professional development programs. I was also an executive board member of OUTLaws, the Law School’s LGBTQ organization, and a staff member of the Fordham Environmental Law Review.
What’s something special about your education at Fordham Law?
The people have made it special. Before I even started law school, I connected with some OUTLaws members, and they helped me feel welcome and prepared. Since then, I’ve continued to seek guidance from upper-division students and alumni, especially during my 1L year. I asked for advice about everything from how to earn top grades to how to ace law firm interviews. Every student and alum I’ve connected with has been very supportive and eager to help, which is something I try to pay forward when students reach out to me. Fordham’s community is very supportive, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
What will you be doing after graduation?
I’ll join Weil, Gotshal & Manges as a junior associate in the firm’s corporate practice. As a summer associate last year, I was impressed by the firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to excellence. I’m excited to launch my legal career alongside Weil’s talented attorneys and have the opportunity to work on complex, high-stakes matters, helping the firm’s clients navigate today’s most challenging legal issues.
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