Justice Lillian Wan recently visited Syracuse Law and addressed Prof. Mary Szto’s and Prof. Andrew Greenberg’s joint Contracts and Appellate Advocacy Skills class. Prof. Greenberg interviewed her about her career path and what appellate lawyers should focus on. She spoke about the importance of your reputation, which begins in law school, and always proofreading your work.
Justice Wan also participated in a fireside chat hosted by Syracuse Law’s Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA). Assistant Dean Lily Yan Hughes introduced Justice Wan, and APALSA President Rebecca Lee L’26 moderated the discussion with in-person and online participants, including students from Albany Law School.
At the fireside chat, Justice Wan shared stories on becoming the first Asian American woman to be appointed to the Appellate Division in New York State. “Justice Wan shared with us her struggle with identity during her childhood, and the obstacles she faced as an Asian American woman entering and working in the field of law,” reports Frank Ji L’27.
Ji continues, “Justice Wan highlighted stories of how those who came before her, the pioneers of diversity and female advocates who overcame struggles to achieve success in the legal system, supported and guided her to the position she is in today. Justice Wan’s stories were an inspiration to the students. She is an example of how people are willing to help, and… should help one another in the field of law. This… [allows]… for more voices that understand them and faces that look like them in communities across the nation and as judges,” reports Frank Ji L’27.
The fireside chat’s cosponsors included Syracuse Law Office of Career Services, SU AAPI Faculty & Staff Association, SU Asian/Asian American Studies Program, Maxwell Executive Education, Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) SU Student Chapter, SU Family Law Society, Asian American Bar Association of New York, New Americans Forum, and Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) Syracuse Chapter.
