Fordham Law School’s graduation speakers encouraged the class of 2025 to pursue their legal careers with integrity, discernment, and compassion. Dean Joseph Landau acknowledged their significant accomplishments and posed vital questions for reflection. “As lawyers, what will you profess?” he asked. “And as people and attorneys, what will you become? Will you commit to lifelong inquiry, in service of your clients, in the service of the law, and in the service of justice? The rewards for doing so will also be lifelong—greater than any of us can imagine—as professionals, and as human beings.” The Fordham Law community gathered on May…
Author: Anna Currell
With a background in environmental governance and urban planning, Fordham Law’s practical education drew Chris Freire ’25 to the J.D. program. The Realizing Excellence and Access in Law Scholars (REAL) program provided Chris with a supportive community throughout his studies and access to alumni who provided advice and mentorship. He spent his 2L summer at Norton Rose Fulbright and is returning there after graduation to work on energy and infrastructure projects. His long-term goal is to become an expert in this field and help build projects that empower and connect communities. What is your hometown, and where did you study…
Sarya Baladi ’25 came to law school with the goal of practicing immigration law, something she has achieved by being chosen for a prestigious Equal Justice Works Fellowship. She said that she chose Fordham Law, in part, for its central New York City location nearby several organizations doing immigration work. Baladi also took part in several activities at law school, including being in the Stein Scholars program, serving in the Criminal Defense Clinic, participating in the Immigration Advocacy Project student group, and working on the Fordham Law Review. What is your hometown, and where did you go for college? I…
For Jane Mezzino ’25, a move across the country from San Diego to attend Fordham Law was an easy decision. She knew she wanted to pursue media and entertainment law and to continue practicing music during law school—and she decided there was no better place to do that than in New York City. Mezzino is one of two vocalists and the lead guitarist in a band that she started at Fordham Law with two other students, and playing together has been a great outlet when they’re not studying. Mezzino found her community within her cohort, and discovered a passion for…
Sami Pfeffer Chahi ’25 worked to contribute meaningfully both in and outside the classroom during his time at Fordham Law. As part of the Federal Litigation Clinic, he helped draft a brief and prepare an oral argument for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He was also involved in the Law School community as a journal editor, a board member of a competition team, a club president, a tutor, and a member of Fordham’s Student Bar Association. After graduation, he will clerk in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Where…
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…
On April 3, the Center for Judicial Events and Clerkships (CJEC), the Center on Asian Americans and the Law, and the Corporate Law Center welcomed Judge Kyu Young (Mike) Paek ’08, who serves on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Paek spoke with the Fordham Law community about his path to the bench in a fireside chat moderated by Judge Denny Chin ’78, United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Paek shared his personal journey to the bench, beginning with his family’s migration to the United…
Fordham Law School and DLA Piper have collaborated to develop an innovative legal executive education offering that aims to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding in-house counsel community. Over the past 15 years, the number of in-house lawyers grew 80%, outpacing the growth of the number of lawyers working for the government or for law firms. As corporations rely more on in-house teams, the role of in-house lawyers has become increasingly complex—however, the necessary skills to succeed in this position are rarely taught in a formal setting. Fordham Law’s In-House Counsel Institute provides a 14-week, online program starting in…
Pat Hynes ’66 built a remarkable career as a federal prosecutor and practicing attorney, but she didn’t always plan on attending law school. “I have no lawyers in my family. I was the first in my family to go to college. I come from a very blue-collar, working-class background in Queens,” said Hynes. Her debating club—and her love of the TV series Perry Mason—inspired her to study law. “I applied to Fordham, got in, and went, and it was really the best thing that I ever did,” said Hynes. “It was a very good experience. It was the right decision…
Fordham Law School is proud to announce that Judge Maria Araújo Kahn ’89, who sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, will be the keynote speaker at Fordham Law School’s 118th Diploma Ceremony on Monday, May 19. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Edwards Parade at the Rose Hill Campus of Fordham University in the Bronx, where over 630 law students will receive their diplomas. “We are honored and thrilled to have such a distinguished alumna speak at our 2025 Diploma Ceremony,” said Dean Joseph Landau. “Judge Kahn is an inspiration to our…