Colleen Gibbons L’17 calls her education from Syracuse University College of Law “first class” and recalls an “immediate sense of warm and welcoming humans in the building” from the day she started her law degree. Today, as she thrives in her legal career, Gibbons continues to be an outstanding alumna of Syracuse Law as a mentor, speaker, competition judge, and more, bringing in fresh ideas and educational opportunities by tapping into her professional network to help today’s students have a law school experience as outstanding as she recalls her own.
This spring, Gibbons was honored by Syracuse Law with the inaugural Emerging Leader of the Year Award for being one of the law school’s most dedicated volunteers, contributing her time and expertise in ways that make a lasting difference for law students and the broader Syracuse Law community.
“There are so many reasons why Colleen is deserving of the Emerging Leaders Award, as she gives of herself genuinely for all the right reasons without any expectations that the favor she extends is to be returned,” says Teaching Professor Suzette M. Meléndez, a mentor to Gibbons as a student and an influential colleague today.
“Colleen is a role model for others in that she brings her intellect and experience to bear in positive ways. She proposes great ideas, as well as recognizes those coming from others, and she doesn’t just comment on the sidelines but will actually roll up her sleeves to help do the work in the field. Her collaborative spirit enables her to bring good people together in multiple settings, and her authenticity and dedication to justice transcends boundaries. Colleen’s commitment defines her both personally and professionally, and we are all the beneficiaries of what she brings to the profession,” adds Meléndez.
From Teacher to Lawyer: Combining the Law, Justice and Community Systems
Currently the principal law clerk to Hon. Danielle M. Fogel L’05, J.S.C., New York State Unified Court System, Gibbons started her career as a special education teacher before earning a master’s degree and Ph.D. in human and community development with a concentration on students with disabilities from the University of Illinois-Champaign. She then returned to her hometown of Syracuse, when she accepted a job at Burton Blatt Institute.
It was during this time that she discovered Syracuse Law had a program specifically for disability law in the Disability and Policy Program, and started thinking that a law degree might fit nicely with her interest in justice and community systems. She applied and was offered a full scholarship, enrolling in 2014.
Impactful Mentors, Experiences Instilled Importance of Giving Back
Gibbons immersed herself into law school, participating as a student attorney at the Disability Rights Clinic where she represented clients in state and federal courts with a focus on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal disability laws; as a student attorney at the College of Law’s Sherman F. Levey ’57, L’59 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic; and as a legal intern for the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County representing families on issues related to eviction, divorce, and more. Not only did these experiences educate her, but she was able to interact with countless individuals from the law school, its clinics and the greater Syracuse legal community who mentored and inspired her as she learned ways to advocate for others through the law.
“Syracuse Law didn’t just teach me how to be a lawyer. It instilled in me the love of the law, the rule of the law, and the excitement for practicing the law,” says Gibbons. “The law school gives its students so many opportunities to engage with practitioners and build a solid network, as well as participate in community outreach opportunities aligned with students’ interests. These experiences instilled in me the importance of giving my time and energy back to the law school. After I graduated, it became my turn to be a mentor and guide to current students in whatever ways I can do the most good.”
After receiving her law degree, Gibbons joined Bousquet Holstein, PLLC, as an associate. Two years later, she became the Upstate deputy director and then senior program manager for the Center for Justice Innovation, a national training and technical assistance team focusing on adult and juvenile drug courts, veterans treatment courts, and best practices to drive justice for marginalized individuals.
Through it all, Gibbons continues doing good for the College of Law and the larger community, including through the Central New York Women’s Bar Association, of which she is the current president; the College of Law’s Alumni Association, of which she is past president; and the law school’s Women’s Law Student Association, where she recently helped coordinate The Karen DeCrow 2026 Panel, an annual gathering that brings together a group of female lawyers and judges to discuss current topics, while honoring the work DeCrow L’72 did to advance women within the legal field.
Gibbons Encourages Others to Stay Involved, Lift Up Students and Alumni
“I am pleased to be a part of the interconnected legal network that continues to help strengthen the Syracuse University College of Law,” says Gibbons of her involvement over the past decade. “I enjoy building mentor relationships with students and young alums by saying, ‘Here’s the lessons I’ve learned. Take them or leave them, but I’m happy to assist.’”
Leading by example, Gibbons encourages others to give back, as well. “There are always ways to stay involved with the law school,” she says. “I’ll continue for as long as I can to show up, offer support, propose an interesting speaker or event, lift up other students and alumni, and encourage them indefinitely. I’m roped in now, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”
