Ever since she graduated from Fordham Law, Brittany Russell ’13 has been fighting for mesothelioma patients who have been exposed to asbestos. Working for Weitz & Luxenberg as an associate attorney, Russell has secured justice—and millions of dollars in damages—for several clients, but her most recent victory on behalf of a sheet metal worker exposed to the cancer-causing building material, has set a new record in New York state history: a $117 million verdict for a single-plaintiff asbestos claim. “There’s no safe level of exposure to asbestos, and this exposure is probably the biggest exposure my client had in his…
Author: Anna Currell
Fordham Law is launching a cutting-edge LL.M. program in competition law designed for global lawyers looking to specialize in antitrust law. The new program, one of only two LL.M. programs in competition law offered in New York City, will be taught by an interdisciplinary group of faculty members who bring specialized expertise in antitrust law, social media and technology, intellectual property, and financial history to the study of competition law. “There’s an explosion of interest in antitrust globally and in the United States,” said Fordham Law Professor Zephyr Teachout, who designed the new program. Teachout is an expert in antitrust…
Fordham Law School’s OUTLaws affinity group offers a supportive community, resources, and networking opportunities for LGBTQIA+ law students and allies. For this year’s Pride Month, incoming OUTLaws Co-Presidents Ellie Singer ’27 and Jessie Lopez-Garay ’27 spoke about the importance of reflecting on past and present advocacy for the queer community and why celebration is key to progress. Why is it important to have OUTLaws at Fordham Law School? LGBTQIA+ law students deserve a strong, visible, and supportive community. OUTLaws provides a space that fosters belonging. This isn’t just a social group—it’s a bridge that connects students with the legal community…
Maria Ignacia Vasquez ’25 worked in interior design and marketing before enrolling at Fordham Law, where she was a member of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) and also served as president of the Fordham Cannabis Coalition, which hosted law firms from New York and New Jersey on campus to talk about cannabis law. She worked at the Housing Justice Unit in the Legal Aid Society as a Pro Bono Scholar, was a legal writing teaching assistant, and was on the staff of the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal. After graduating in May, she will be…
From thought-provoking science fiction and razor-sharp satire to a deep exploration of Talmudic history, discover your next summer read with these recommendations from Fordham Law faculty, who shared the books they’re most excited to dive into this season. Bennett Capers Associate Dean for Research, Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Chair, Professor of Law, and Director, Center on Race, Law and Justice I’m a bibliophile through and through, and can hardly wait until summer to immerse myself in books. I have well over a dozen books on my “to read” list, so for now I’ll just mention three. The first one…
From establishing an LLC to writing business contracts, Brooklyn business start-ups got free legal guidance from Fordham Law clinic students this spring. Fifteen Mangrove Community Business Academy participants—including the owners of a cleaning service, a nonprofit literature collective, and real estate company—attended this session led by Fordham Law students. The Mangrove Community Business Academy is a 12-week course hosted at Flatbush Central that offers hands-on training in business planning and management to small business owners. The curriculum focuses on business fundamentals including bookkeeping, budgeting, marketing, and financing. At this particular session, Fordham law students spoke about the basics of business…
Joe Marchese-Schmitt ’25 was attracted to Fordham Law’s evening program so that he could continue with his full-time working for the New York City Office of Management and Budget while pursuing his J.D. He’s currently a Pro Bono Scholar at Fordham, dedicating his final semester of law school to pro bono legal work on behalf of low income and indigent people. He’s also a Stein Scholar, a program at the Law School designed to help students prepare for a career in public interest. His last semester working pro bono allowed him to take the bar exam early, and he will…
Fordham Law School is proud to welcome five new faculty members: Robin Effron, Jamie Grischkan, Katherine Hughes, Jane Manners, and Adam D. Orford. These scholars and teachers bring a range of expertise to the Law School, including in civil procedure, financial regulation, non-profit and social enterprise law, legal history, and environmental law. Their appointments reflect Fordham’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, shaping legal discourse, and preparing students to meet the evolving landscape of the legal profession. “We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of faculty to Fordham,” said Dean Joseph Landau. “They bring deep expertise to enrich our scholarly…
Fordham Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) fosters a supportive community for Asian Americans at the Law School. Throughout the year, APALSA hosts events that promote mentorship and academic support as well as opportunities for socializing and fun. In the Q&A below, Lyvia Yan ’26, APALSA president, spoke about how the group is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May. Why is it important to have APALSA at Fordham Law School? A lot of Asian Americans are first generation law students, and having a place where we can meet, socialize, and have a network of…
When she first toured the Law School, Celine Alhout ’25 was inspired by what she heard about Fordham Law Women—so much so that she knew Fordham was where she belonged. Now, as a 3L, she serves as the organization’s president. She discovered a passion for real estate law during her law school education, and she is excited to be joining the Real Estate group at Willkie Farr & Gallagher after graduation. In addition to preparing Alhout for a legal career, her time at Fordham has provided her with invaluable mentorship and a strong sense of community. What is your degree…