You’d think becoming the first lawyer in your family would be accomplishment enough, but that is just one item on a long list of achievements for Nathanael Linton L’24. His “anything is possible” attitude has opened many doors over the past three years as a residential student at Syracuse University College of Law.
One of the things that attracted the Middleton, New York, native and former charter school teacher to Syracuse Law was the wide range of clinics, clubs, externships and other activities available to him. When he was accepted to Syracuse Law with a merit scholarship, he knew he had to make the most of his time, not only in his pursuit of international law but also with as many other opportunities he could fit into his already demanding schedule.
Over the past three years, he’s done just that. Linton is a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society’s trial and appellate divisions; managing editor of the Journal for Global Rights, member of the Student Bar Association; and research assistant helping national security expert Professor Emeritus William C. Banks.
“From when I was a little kid, I told my mom I wanted to be a lawyer—and maybe one day sit on the Supreme Court. My parents did push me to do great things, and their sacrifice and dedication have given me the room to develop an optimistic outlook on things and be grateful for every opportunity.”
Nathanael Linton L’24
Linton has also had some valuable externships over the summer breaks, which included working as a judicial intern for Judge Daniel J. Yablonsky L’86 in 2023, where he focused on the domestic violence docket in family law in New Jersey; and, in the fall of 2023, as a legal extern with the SUNY Upstate Office of General Counsel. This semester, he is working at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.
One of the most exciting opportunities Linton has received, however, was being named the 2023-2024 student representative to Syracuse University’s board of trustees. His responsibilities include writing three to four reports to the trustees, updating them about current issues at the law school and keeping them apprised of various student issues. He sits in on executive board meetings, as well as takes part in the Student Experience Subcommittee and the Academic Affairs Subcommittee.
“It’s really a privilege to interact with people who want to see all aspects of Syracuse University thrive, while also advocating for the law school,” Linton says. “It’s been an amazing experience and has allowed me to develop an even larger skillset.”
Linton credits his parents for his eagerness to grab on to every opportunity in his path. “From when I was a little kid, I told my mom I wanted to be a lawyer—and maybe one day sit on the Supreme Court. My parents did push me to do great things, and their sacrifice and dedication have given me the room to develop an optimistic outlook on things and be grateful for every opportunity,” he says, noting that one of his proudest days was being able to give his parents a tour of the Court of Appeals in Albany, New York. “I think that’s when it hit them that I was really on my way to being a lawyer.”
He credits the many experiences he has had over the past three years at Syracuse Law for “preparing me to meet the challenges ahead by giving me a solid foundation to build upon.”
Linton is also grateful to the faculty, alumni, classmates and others who have guided and mentored him along the way, particularly Teaching Professor Aliza Milner, who helped him during the process of applying for externships and wrote him a stellar letter of recommendation. “I consider her a mentor because she takes the time to meet with me and encourage me—and that’s an awesome thing,” he says.
As he prepares to graduate, Linton is looking forward to his next chapter—clerking for the New York State Court of Appeals on the Central Legal Research Staff as a staff attorney. His role will involve making recommendations to judges on whether or not to grant motions to appeal.
Eventually, he hopes to pursue a federal clerkship at the appellate level or go into appellate practice. One possible dream job is to work for the Office of the Solicitor General, and then possibly private practice at some point. And, because he will continue to believe that “anything is possible,” he’s not giving up on getting to the Supreme Court one day.
