On-Campus J.D. Orientation
New Student Orientation is a blend of informative presentations, programs, events, and activities designed to help first-year law students acclimate to the Syracuse University College of Law. It’s an educational, exciting, and fun time that allows students the opportunity to get to know the College of Law, Syracuse University, and one another.
The New Student Orientation program for on-campus, residential J.D. students entering in August 2024 will take place on Tuesday, August 13, Wednesday, August 14, and Thursday, August 15. All portions of the program are mandatory for all entering JD residential students (unless otherwise noted on the schedule). Classes begin on Monday, August 19.
New Student Orientation questions may be directed to the Office of Student Experience at lawexperience@syr.edu.
LL.M. & Exchange Student Orientation
All portions of the New Student Orientation program are mandatory for all entering LL.M and Exchange students (unless otherwise noted on the schedule).
Convocation Information
Thursday, August 15, 2024
4 – 5 p.m.
Melanie Gray Ceremonial Courtroom
Syracuse University College of Law
Featured Speaker:
James L. Kelly L’99
Partner
Chair, New York Private Equity
DLA Piper
James is a strategic advisor to private equity funds and operating companies across many industries. He focuses his practice on representing private equity funds in all aspects of their investment activities, recently acting for Atlas Holdings, Bregal Partners, The Carlyle Group, Oaktree Capital Management and Stellex Capital Management, among several others. The Private Equity practice at DLA Piper most recently ranked as the #1 most active legal advisor in global buyouts by number of deals by Pitchbook.
James is recognized by The Legal 500 US in Private Equity Buyouts and has been recognized for numerous consecutive years by Chambers in New York M&A, has been featured in Buyouts, including a Buyouts Deal of the Year, The Deal, Bloomberg and Law360 as well as other leading publications. He has presented for several education providers, including Practicing Law Institute, Strafford and Syracuse University College of Law. He has received recognition for his pro bono work, including the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society. James is a member of the Syracuse University College of Law Board of Advisors.
His transactions include primary and secondary leveraged buyouts, add-on acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, divestitures and restructurings, including cross-border transactions involving numerous jurisdictions. He also regularly represents public and private operating companies and special purpose acquisition companies, across a variety of industries, including technology, software, video gaming, artificial intelligence, data and information, media, entertainment, business services, consumer goods and services, industrials and manufacturing, energy, engineering and infrastructure, food, agriculture, education, healthcare and life sciences.