Around Syracuse Law

Syracuse University College of Law Partners with Kaplan to Provide All Students with Free Prep Courses for the Bar Exam

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)
Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com

Fort Lauderdale, FL (October 28, 2024) ⁠— Syracuse University College of Law will begin providing all its graduating students with free comprehensive test prep for the bar exam through a new partnership with global educational services provider Kaplan, as part of its award-winning All Access initiative. Syracuse Law students in the Class of 2025 will be the first to take advantage of this new offering. Kaplan will also provide the school and students with other robust, comprehensive academic support services, from orientation through graduation, including integrated curriculum, diagnostics, and assessments.

Kelly Curtis, associate dean for academic and bar success at Syracuse Law, said:

“Kaplan’s program offers several resources to enhance our students’ preparation for the bar exam and our academic support efforts. We believe these added resources will significantly improve the support we provide our students as they prepare for the bar and beyond.”

Kimberly Batrice Hytree, executive director of bar institutional programs, Kaplan, said:

“Kaplan is proud to partner with Syracuse University College of Law to provide this transformative opportunity to all its students. As an All Access partner, Syracuse Law is investing in a holistic, integrated program that culminates in free bar exam prep, showcasing their commitment to supporting students from the very start of their law school experience. The bar exam is a challenging milestone for future attorneys, and we are dedicated to equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills they need, beginning on day one, so they can be successful throughout their academic journey.”

As part of Kaplan’s All Access initiative, institutions of higher learning, including law schools and medical schools, can help their students prepare for a variety of high-stakes admissions and licensing exams that they need to score well on to reach their ultimate professional goals—with zero out-of-pocket costs for students. Earlier this year, Fast Company named Kaplan’s All Access initiative the winner of its World Changing Ideas Award, in the large business category.

Kaplan has prepared students for standardized tests for more than 85 years, and Syracuse University College of Law is its newest All Access partner, joining Xavier University of Louisiana, Howard University, Delaware State University, Talladega College, Stillman College, Fisk University, Hampton University, Spelman College, and Cleveland State University, among others.

Interested reporters can contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

Syracuse University College of Law

Founded in 1895, Syracuse University College of Law offers a forward-leaning, rigorous legal education that prepares lawyers to succeed in the modern legal profession and related fields. The College is known for innovative programs, such as its online J.D. program, JDinteractive; an expansive externship program; a highly ranked Advocacy Program; three interdisciplinary institutes; and 11 joint degree options offered in partnership with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and other schools and colleges at Syracuse University. Through its classroom and practical curriculum, the College of Law ensures that graduates have the knowledge, discipline, and analytical and practical skills required for 21st century legal practitioners in a fast-changing global and technological environment. Learn more at law.syracuse.edu.

About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 15,000 corporate clients, and 3,300 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.

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Sixth Annual Syracuse National Trial Competition Results

The sixth Annual Syracuse National Trial Competition occurred from October 18-20, 2024.

The quarterfinalists were:

  • Belmont University College of Law
  • Quinnipiac University School of Law
  • Stetson University College of Law
  • Western State College of Law

In the final round, Stetson University College of Law prevailed over Western State College of Law.

The individual advocacy awards were:

Best Closing Argument Award: Matthew De Santos, Western State College of Law

Best Direct Examination Award: Madeleine Bodiford, Stetson University College of Law

Best Cross Examination Award: Cristine Khachatoorians from Loyola University Law School, Los Angeles

Best Open Statement Award: Tie between Isabella Diaco from Stetson University College of Law and Alleanne Anderson from Chicago-Kent College of Law

Overall Best Advocate for the Preliminary Rounds: Chase Gleason, Western State College of Law

Best Overall Advocate for the Final Round: Tie between Laith Hatoum from Stetson University College of Law and Matthew DeSantos from Western State College of Law

Joanne Van Dyke (SNTC Director) drafted the fact pattern, entitled Bobby Blair v. Go West Movies, Inc. The Plaintiff was hired by the Defendant to act in a Western they were producing. Toward the end of production, the Plaintiff was seriously injured as a result of a shooting incident. The fact pattern was balanced in terms of results as there was a 50-50 split between Plaintiff and Defense wins throughout the whole competition.

Andrew Umanzor and Carly Zakaria (SNTC Coordinators) dedicated countless hours and worked nonstop throughout the competition, and more than forty members of the Syracuse Law Advocacy Honor Society volunteered as bailiffs. Your help was greatly appreciated.

We’d like to thank the Honorable Miroslav Lovric (United States District Judge Northern District of New York), who presided over the final trial, as well as all of the judges and attorneys who judged/evaluated. Many of the judges and attorneys evaluated multiple rounds, and some traveled two to three hours to Syracuse for the competition. 

We’d also like to thank Judge Deborah Karalunas, Don Doerr, Esq., Mary Monashefsky, Chief Steven Bigzia, the court officers and the courthouse staff, who made hosting the tournament such a success.

The Honorable Langston C. McKinney L’71 Courtroom Dedication to be Held on October 30

McKinny L'71 Syracuse Law student headshot

On Wednesday, October 30 at 4:30 p.m., political, legal, and civic leaders from across the state will gather at the Honorable James C. Tormey, III Criminal Courts Building at 505 South State Street, Syracuse, New York for the dedication of The Hon. Langston C. McKinney Courtroom. The Hon. Langston C. McKinney L’71 served in many critical public interest leadership positions and applied his legal acumen across many practice areas and roles. He was appointed the first Black Syracuse City Court Judge in 1986 and served with honor, distinction, and compassion until his retirement in 2010.

Judge McKinney was born in Miami, FL on October 27, 1944. He graduated from Howard University in 1965 with a degree in chemistry and was recruited by Carrier Corporation to come to Syracuse to work as a chemist where he was the first Black scientist in their research and development division.

Judge McKinney served two years in the U.S. Army and then returned to Syracuse in 1968 to attend Syracuse University College of Law. While in law school he co-founded the Syracuse chapter of the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council and would spend a summer working in the South on civil rights legal work, fueling his passion for justice. Also, while in law school he started to work for Onondaga Neighborhood Legal Services (ONLS). It was there that he came to understand the plight of people trapped in poverty and social and economic injustice. This experience sharpened the lens through which he saw the need for justice, equality, and the rule of law.

Upon graduating from Syracuse Law, Judge McKinney began his legal career at ONLS as a staff attorney. Among the many causes he championed was the issue of tenants’ rights. He would later be honored by having a housing complex named after him – McKinney Manor. Judge McKinney later joined the legal staff at Hiscock Legal Aid Society where his reputation as a criminal defense attorney began to grow. Eventually, Judge McKinney joined with two other Syracuse lawyers to form the law firm of Maye, McKinney & Melchor, the first Black law firm in Syracuse.

In 1986 Judge McKinney was appointed by Mayor Tom Young to be the first Black American Syracuse City Court Judge. He was then elected in 1987 and re-elected in 1997 and 2007. One of Judge McKinney’s proudest accomplishments was partnering with the Center for Community Alternatives to establish the Syracuse Community Treatment Court.

Although Judge McKinney retired in 2010, he remained active in the pursuit of justice. He was instrumental in founding the first African American Bar Association in Onondaga County – The William Herbert Johnson Bar Association – named after a fellow African American legal trailblazer.

“Judge McKinney had faithfully and respectfully served Syracuse as a jurist, community leader, and mentor to many in the legal profession and other disciplines,” says Professor Paula Johnson, who served on the committee securing the courtroom dedication.

The ceremony can be livestreamed at https://cmi.nycourts.gov/VirtualCourt/new/st-jd5/st-jd5-1 with the passcode 1986. A reception will follow at the CNY Philanthropy Center Ballroom.

JDi Program Prepares 3L to Tackle Immigration Issues Half Way Across the World

A woman, sitting at a desk in a bright office, looks toward the camera with a soft smile. She is wearing a green blouse and has a laptop in front of her. A Syracuse University pennant hangs on the wall behind her, with plants and office decor completing the background.

It takes more than 30 hours by plane for Lisa Phair L’25 to get to the Syracuse University College of Law, but, for her, it’s definitely worth the trip.

Currently a 3L in the Syracuse Law’s JDinteractive (JDi) program, Phair lives in the Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Raised in Alaska, she and her husband moved to the Mariana Islands 11 years ago when he took a one-year contract job as a pharmacist. However, the natural beauty and multiculturalism of the islands made them decide to stay.

Today, Phair and her husband have two children, age 10 and 15. Phair works as a Scuba instructor and dive shop manager, as well as an adjunct instructor at Northern Marianas College, teaching Social Psychology of Business Management and Operations Management.

Law school had only been a thought in the back of her mind until the pandemic hit in 2020, locking down the islands from the rest of the world. While a U.S. territory, the Mariana Islands’ population is only made up of 35% U.S. citizens. Others are from around the world, there on various work or travel visas. When the lock down occurred, many of Phair’s friends were at the mercy of immigration. They lost jobs due to COVID but, as non-citizens, they were not eligible for the U.S. welfare system. This created a hardship for people just to put food on the table and take care of every day essentials.

A silhouette of a woman in profile, walking through a hallway while holding a laptop. The bright window at the end of the hall contrasts with her shadowed figure. Minimalist office furniture and decor are seen in the hallway.

When the world started opening up, Phair began thinking more seriously about pursuing law school, particularly immigration law in response to the difficulties she had seen non-U.S. citizens tackle during the pandemic.  She didn’t find many law schools that offered immigration law specifically and also didn’t want to uproot her family. So, when Phair came across the Syracuse Law JDi program, which offered international law, she took a chance.

“I was nervous about the hybrid program not being a traditional law school set-up, but the talented people in my cohort have truly elevated my experience. I’m so impressed with my classmates—people with a lot of other demands on their time—and how we’ve developed a great rapport with one another.”

—Lisa Phair L’25

Now, due to the 14-hour time difference, Phair often finds herself logging on to her classes at night from the local McDonald’s, which is her closest internet access. But, that hasn’t stopped her.

“The JDi has exceeded my expectations,” she says. “I was nervous about the hybrid program not being a traditional law school set-up, but the talented people in my cohort have truly elevated my experience. I’m so impressed with my classmates—people with a lot of other demands on their time—and how we’ve developed a great rapport with one another.”

Part of the requirements of the JDi program are six residency programs on special topics. Phair has traveled to eight—five residencies on the Syracuse campus, as well as others in Rome (Comparative Legal Systems), Washington, D.C., (Federal Practice and International Law) and London (Comparative Trial Advocacy).

A group of attendees seated at a conference table during a presentation. In focus is a woman with long blonde hair, holding a laptop, appearing engaged with the speaker. Another woman in a yellow top sits nearby, along with other participants, in a well-lit room with framed art on the walls.

Phair not only values the information she learned at the residencies but also the opportunity to interact face-to-face with classmates and faculty. “It was a great comfort to see those familiar faces and spend time with each other,” she says. “And, I’m so grateful for the valuable topics, caliber of teaching and guest speakers who were brought into each residency program.”

As she completes her final year, Phair continues to focus on international law. She recently wrote a blog post for Syracuse Law’s Journal of International Law and Commerce about the battle between the U.S. and China to establish diplomatic ties with Pacific Island nations and the potential impact if China continues to move further into the region—something that resonates with her as a resident of the Mariana Islands. And, this semester, she is excited to be taking Space Law and Policy.

Three women participating in a courtroom simulation. Two women, seated at a table, wear professional business attire, focusing on their notes. One stands next to them, presenting with a laptop nearby. The courtroom setting has light wood paneling and neutral walls.

While she has enjoyed all of her classes, she has special appreciation for Professor of Law Todd Berger, Adjunct Instructor Raul Velez and Professor Andrew Greenberg for the humor they bring to the classroom, as well as Associate Dean for Online Education Shannon Gardner, Assistant Director of Academic and Bar Success Lou Lou Delmarsh and Assistant Director of Online Programs Stephanie Rinko for their friendship and guidance.

After graduation, she plans to take the New York State Bar exam, which has reciprocity that will allow her to practice back home. The following year, she intends to take the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) bar exam, too. Phair hopes to start her career clerking at one of the courts on the islands, while also honing her grant writing skills to raise money for a practice she and a friend intend to open to offer pro bono legal assistance to those on the islands facing immigration issues.

A woman in a green blouse, seated at a modern desk, working on a laptop in a bright office. The desk has a notebook, pen, and a Syracuse University pennant in the background, along with a decorative plant and books.

In the spring of 2025, Phair will again take that 30-hour trip to receive her diploma from Syracuse Law, and she is excited to celebrate this achievement in person with her law school friends and professors.

“Living on the Mariana Islands is amazing, but Syracuse’s JDi program has also been an amazing adventure that has changed my life,” she says. “I am eager to see what a future in law has in store for me.”

Syracuse University College of Law’s Annual Supreme Court Preview Discussion

Syracuse University College of Law will hold its eighth annual Supreme Court Preview on Friday, November 1 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Gray Ceremonial Courtroom in Dineen Hall. Robert Parker, Chief of the Criminal Division’s Appellate Section at the U.S. Department of Justice, will deliver the Keynote Lecture “Supreme Court and Appellate Practice at the Department of Justice.”

The following panel discussion will examine key cases to be heard during the 2024-2025 Supreme Court term.

The Moderator will be Keith J. Bybee, Vice Dean and Paul E. and Hon. Joanne F. Alper ’72 Judiciary Studies Professor of Law.

Panel participants will be:

Andrew Greenberg L’89, Teaching Professor

The Hon. Mitchell Katz, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York

Terence Lau L’98, Dean and Professor of Law

Katherine Macfarlane, Associate Professor of Law and Director, Disability Law and Policy Program

Robert Parker, Chief of the Criminal Division’s Appellate Section at the U.S. Department of Justice

CLE credit is available. To register for the Preview, visit https://bit.ly/Court2024

Contact: Chris Ramsdell

Retiree’s Next Chapter to Focus on Pro Bono Work to Help Those in Need

George Boehme looks up from his laptop and smiles. Behind him is a bookshelf.

George Boehme L’26 jokingly calls himself “the oldest law student in America.” At age 64, after a successful career as a newspaper publisher, he decided to enroll in Syracuse University College of Law’s JDinteractive (JDi) program with the intention of starting his next chapter doing pro bono work to help those in need.

“I thought going to law school was a lost opportunity for me. I had no idea a program like Syracuse’s JDi existed, but the time, effort and investment that the University has put into this program is much better and of higher quality than anything else I found. I would recommend it to anybody.”
—George Boehme L’26

According to Boehme, he had an “ah-ha” moment a few years ago that made him feel that he had not taken the opportunity to make the world a better place. He looked to his wife, a physician, who has been able to make a true difference in other people’s lives and knew he wanted to reach out to those who had not been dealt an easy hand. Still, the idea of law school didn’t seem possible until he discovered Syracuse Law’s JDi program.

People sitting in a courtroom

“I thought going to law school was a lost opportunity for me” says Boehme, who had explored law schools near his home in Houston. “I had no idea a program like Syracuse’s JDi existed, but the time, effort and investment that the University has put into this program is much better and of higher quality than anything else I found. I would recommend it to anybody.”

Boehme is currently an academic success fellow in civil procedure for Professor of Law Margaret Harding, helping other students with academic and study skills. He also is willing to share the wisdom that comes from starting something new later in life.

Students gather around a professor who explains concepts while pointing at a document

“Law school is tough and can be intimidating, but I’ve seen people who are scared of their shadow become confident after just a semester,” he explains. “Age can be comforting in that respect, and I think I’m good at encouraging those who might be struggling.”

When he completes his law degree, he intends to serve others as an attorney and maybe even teach law at some point. Boehme plans to stay in Texas working or volunteering with several organizations that cater to pro bono work in multidisciplinary areas.

“Blessedly, when I get my law degree, I won’t need to earn a living from it, and I won’t have any debt,” he explains. “But, I will be able to provide high quality civil legal representation to poor folks pro bono, particularly in the critical area of aggressive debt collection civil defense, more narrowly as it relates to the horrific pay-day lending industry.”

George poses for the camera in a Syracuse Law sweatshirt

In the meantime, Boehme still has some work to do to earn his law degree. However, since he is retired, Boehme has the time to take a heavier load of classes and hopefully graduate early, eager and willing to reach his goal of helping others as a practicing attorney.

“If you want a fulfilled happy life, burst out of your bubble and improve the plight of those you would otherwise never meet,” he says of his choice to pursue law school through the JDi program. “I’m too old to endeavor to solve all the ills of society, but I have enough time left to focus on helping one person at a time.”

George sits at a desk and looks over through the office's open door

‘Cuse Vet Fest Brings Together Central New York Veterans and Community Services

A male student in military uniform engages in conversation with two students wearing "Military and Veterans Law Society" T-shirts. Behind them is a Syracuse University D'Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families banner.

The recent ‘Cuse Vet Fest was attended by over fifty Central New York veterans who learned about VA benefits and other community resources available to them. The ‘Cuse Vet Fest was a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Syracuse VA Medical Center and Syracuse University College of Law’s Military and Veterans Law Society (MVLS).

“It is important that veterans know about all the benefits available to them and engage with VA professionals that can help them navigate the various processes needed to obtain their benefits. This was a helpful event that connected many veterans directly with the resources they earned and deserve.”

—Beth Kubala, Director of Veteran and Military Affairs for Syracuse Law

During this free event, attendees were able to enroll in VA Healthcare, file a claim with the Veterans Benefits Administration, obtain a Veteran Health ID Card, and learn how the PACT Act (Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic Acts) expands healthcare benefits for Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras and were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. PACT Act also extends eligibility to survivors of these exposed Veterans.

A female representative, seated at a table covered with a blue cloth, smiles at the camera. She sits beside promotional materials for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Crisis Line. A banner offers confidential help for veterans.

Representatives from Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and the Office of Veteran Success were in attendance. MVLS students facilitated interactions with community partner organizations such as Clear Path for Veterans, Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency, and the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services.

“It is important that veterans know about all the benefits available to them and engage with VA professionals that can help them navigate the various processes needed to obtain their benefits. This was a helpful event that connected many veterans directly with the resources they earned and deserve,” said Professor Beth Kubala, Director of Veteran and Military Affairs for Syracuse Law.

A man in a suit and an orange Syracuse University hat stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone. He is addressing attendees at the event inside a bright space with green flooring.

Central New York veterans with questions about their VA benefits can call 315.425.4400.

3L Brandon J. Bryant Named the  Recipient of the NDNY FCBA Hon. Norman A. Mordue ’66, L’71 Law Scholarship

3L Brandon J. Bryant was named the 2024 recipient of the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association Hon. Norman A. Mordue ’66, L’71 Law Scholarship. Bryant is a U.S. Army combat veteran.

The Northern District of New York (NDNY) Federal Court Bar Association (FCBA) Hon. Norman A. Mordue ’66, L’71 Law Scholarship provides a Syracuse University College of Law student with the means to pursue a legal education and follow in the footsteps of Judge Mordue, a decorated war hero who served as chief judge for the NDNY and taught trial practice at the College of Law as an adjunct professor. The NDNY FCBA established the scholarship after the passing of Judge Mordue in December 2022.

Bryant is also pursuing an MBA at the Whitman School of Management. At Syracuse Law, Bryant is the Communications Director and member of the Trial Division of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society; a Research Assistant and Student Attorney at the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic; Lead Articles Editor for the Journal of Science and Technology; President of the Military & Veterans Law Society; and a coach for the Syracuse University Mock Trial team.

“I am truly honored to be selected as the recipient of the NDNY FCBA Hon. Norman A. Mordue Law Scholarship. It means a great deal to me, not only because of its financial support but also because of the connection to Judge Mordue, whose service and legacy I deeply admire,” says Bryant. “I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association for establishing this scholarship in Judge Mordue’s memory. I look forward to learning more about how I can represent his legacy.”

Those interested in supporting the Mordue Scholarship, please visit the Mordue Scholarship web page.

Syracuse Law’s New Housing Clinic Teaches Lawyering Skills While Impacting the Surrounding Community

Earlier this year, Syracuse University College of Law launched its Housing Clinic to bring much-needed free legal services to low-income Syracuse residents facing profound living conditions issues. Student attorneys provide a wide range of legal services, including representation in court, under the supervision of Housing Clinic Director Gary Pieples.

In a news story on Spectrum News, Syracuse Law students D’Andre Gordon L’25 and Connor Hamilton L’25 discussed their experiences in the clinic and their impact on the community.

“Some of the cases we cover are eviction defense – you’re getting evicted, you need legal counsel, for non-payment of rent. We work on conditions cases [like] you’re suing your landlord because there are code violations that are impacting your quality of life,” said Gordon.

The student lawyers are gaining more than important advocacy skills. For Hamilton, a Syracuse native, it means giving back to his hometown. He said the clinic is enabling him to  “connect more with my community and feeling like I’m actually being a part of something a little bit bigger than myself and making a difference in someone’s life that is from my area, that has a lot of special meaning to me personally.”

Professor Nina Kohn Delivers Keynote Address at the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators

Nina Kohn, the David M. Levy Professor of Law, recently delivered the keynote address at the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) Annual Conference.  The conference, organized by the National Center for State Courts, brought together the chief justices of the nation’s state courts and top court administrators.  This year, the conference focused its educational programming on guardianship and conservatorship.  Kohn’s keynote called attention to major problems in guardianship systems and urged the Chief Judges and Court Administrators to make guardianship a priority for their court systems and how court leadership can make a difference.

Kohn’s talk focused on the key civil rights concerns raised by current guardianship practice, and what courts can—and should—do about it.  Kohn explained that guardianship continues to be treated as a go-to intervention for individuals with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, not the last resort option it’s legally designed to be.  In addition, she explained that, despite reforms requiring courts to consider less restrictive alternatives, courts continue to order guardianships that strip individuals of all rights permitted under state law even when less restrictive arrangements would meet the needs of most respondents. 

Kohn then outlined a series of steps court leaders could take to not only reduce unnecessary and overbroad guardianships but also reduce the risk of abuse and exploitation by unscrupulous guardians.

After the talk, Kohn observed “I was impressed by the warm reception my remarks received.  Many of the participants expressed serious concern about the patterns of practice I described and expressed interest in making changes in their systems.  I look forward to supporting those efforts in the coming months and years.”

Kohn is a nationally recognized leader on guardianship and elder law.  Her remarks built on her scholarship around guardianship, as well as her work as Reporter for the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act.