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…
Author: Anna Currell
Fordham Law students got an up-close look at a jurist from one of the most consequential state courts adjudicating high-stakes business disputes and corporate governance matters, with a visit and lecture from J. Travis Laster, vice chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery. Vice Chancellor Laster joined Fordham on March 26 to give the 22nd Annual Albert A. DeStefano Lecture on Corporate, Securities, and Financial Law. The Delaware Court of Chancery is the nation’s preeminent forum for business law disputes. Laster was sworn in as a vice chancellor in 2009 after nearly fifteen years in private practice, first as an…
Javier Melendez ’25 was drawn to Fordham Law’s Jesuit values and abundant sense of community. Belonging to the Fordham Business and Law Association and the Dispute Resolution Society, he appreciated the mentorship relationships he formed, whether as a mentee or as a mentor to 1Ls and 2Ls. Melendez has experience working with venture capital firms, and, coming from an immigrant background and as a person of color, he is especially interested in working with minority startup founders. This passion leads him to his upcoming role at Clifford Chance back in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Where did you grow up, and where…
Fordham Law professors recently held an event with law students to unpack the rapid number of changes taking place in the U.S. around immigration. During the session, professors with expertise in immigration and foreign affairs talked with students about a range of issues—from the scope of executive authority in immigration enforcement to birthright citizenship and the role of states and cities in resisting federal immigration policies. After the professors completed their remarks, student members of two campus organizations, the International Refugee Assistance Project and the Immigration Advocacy Project, discussed their efforts to support affected communities and what others can do…
In December 2022, Fordham Law alumna Allison Mahoney ’11 launched a trauma-informed firm that represents survivors of abuse and civil rights violations in Colorado, Illinois, and New York. The firm, ALM Law, specializes in campus dating violence, sexual assault, cyber sexual abuse, domestic violence, and child welfare civil rights. “I wanted to create the firm that I wanted to work at, but I couldn’t find,” said Mahoney. “We only represent survivors of abuse, and it’s split between what I call victims rights work, which is kind of an imperfect term, and child welfare civil rights.” Because of the delicate nature…
Dean Joseph Landau has identified law and technology as a strategic priority for legal education at Fordham Law. One of the ways law students are learning about the topic is through Professor Aniket Kesari’s new Cybersecurity Law class, which provides hands-on training for students to immerse themselves in cutting-edge cyber issues. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% increase in cybersecurity jobs by 2033. “Within law, that’s a bit harder to pinpoint,” says Kesari. “But most big firms now have a privacy and cybersecurity practice area. This is a big growth area, and they’re looking for people with…
Nearly 500 members of the Fordham Law community gathered on Friday, March 7 for the 76th Fordham Law Annual Luncheon, raising nearly $200,000 in philanthropic support. The funding will benefit outstanding 3L student(s) with demonstrated financial need who are committed to pursuing a career in public service. The luncheon, held at Cipriani 42nd Street, was dedicated to the memory of the late Judge John F. Keenan ’54, who served in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for four decades and presided over numerous historically significant cases. Keenan hired nearly 40 Fordham Law clerks during his…
Fordham Law Women (FLW) offers community, academic support, and career guidance for students. For Women’s History Month, FLW presidents Celine Alhout ’25 and Danielle Poole ’26 shared their views on how FLW is promoting female mentorship, advancing strategic networking opportunities, and celebrating the women in law who have paved the way for current and future generations of legal professionals. Why is it important to have FLW at Fordham Law School? Since 1971, FLW has provided a welcoming and safe environment for all students and especially women. Although women now account for half of law school graduates and firm associates, on…
Every year, members of the Fordham Law community come together on Giving Day to pledge their philanthropic support for the Law School. This year’s 24-hour fundraising marathon takes place today, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Since its inception in 2017, Giving Day has raised over $1.3 million, directly impacting Fordham Law’s students and addressing the School’s most pressing priorities. This year, your gift can double its impact. Fordham Law alumna Stacey Rappaport ’96 has pledged to match up to $80,000 in gifts made to Fordham Law School. “Giving Day is a testament to the incredible generosity and commitment of the Fordham…
Kelly Saunders, M.S.L. ’23 always had an interest in law and initially planned to become a lawyer after working for some time as a paralegal. Instead, she decided to pursue an alternate career path in ethics and compliance where she said she “found her calling.” While completing her online M.S.L. degree in Corporate Compliance at Fordham Law, Saunders accepted a position as an ethics and compliance program specialist at a large financial services company. More recently, she began a position as an ethics and business conduct manager at a large defense contractor. The skills and experience Saunders developed in the…