Around Syracuse Law

3L Shannon Chamberlain Named the Recipient of the Communication and Media Law Student Research Paper Award

The recipient of the Carol Blanck ’70 and Robert Tannehauser ’66 Communication and Media Law Student Research Paper Award for 2023-24 is 3L Shannon Chamberlain. Chamberlain’s paper, Escaping Liability for the “Gravest of Threats”: Expanding Article 1, Section 6 Immunity and Narrowing Brandenburg Incitement, was selected by Roy Gutterman L’00, Director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, Associate Professor at the Newhouse School, and Professor of Law at the College of Law, from papers submitted in the Media and Communications Law class for consideration by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. 

Chamberlain’s paper analyzes the events surrounding the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, focusing on public officials’ use of social media and the implications of Speech or Debate Clause immunity. The article describes the violence, breach of the Capitol, and the involvement of government officials, while examining the history and various interpretations of the Speech or Debate Clause. The paper also highlights inconsistencies in the application of the Brandenburg incitement, referencing Thompson v. Trump, and explores the connections between incitement, First Amendment discussions, and public officials’ platforms. Chamberlain’s paper argues incitement speech should not be protected under the Clause, and asks for government officials to be held accountable for their influence on illegal acts, emphasizing a need to protect democracy.

With a passion for legal research, Chamberlain has worked with Teaching Professor Mary Szto as a research assistant to research the legislative history of late 1800s and early 1900s anti-Asian laws, as well as the recent rise in Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic and the restorative justice that followed. She  also provided research assistance to University Professor David Driesen by examining the political impact of the Massachusetts Government Act, and studied anti-Federalist concerns of tyranny when considering the role of the President within the Constitution. In part due to these experiences, Chamberlain has accepted a post-graduate position with Costello, Cooney & Fearon, PLLC as an associate attorney.

“I have been honored to serve as a Teaching Assistant to Professors Monica Luna and Kristin Walker, and Faculty Assistant to Professor A. Joseph Warburton, and now as Research Assistant to two other faculty.  All these experiences have been tremendously rewarding,” Chamberlain said.

The Carol Blanck ’70 and Robert Tannenhauser ’66 Communication and Media Law Student Research Paper Award program is administered by Professor Gutterman. With the growing need for well-qualified communication law and policy professionals, this award supports law students who write or deliver original research regarding any topic related to mass communication and society by demonstrating excellence in law and journalism.

Alumni Gather and Network in Denver, CO

Our Denver-based alumni came together for a networking event at the Wynkoop Brewing Company in January of 2024. Online JDinteractive students in town for an Arbitration Residency also joined in on the fun – see a few photos below.

Two women smile and talk to eachother while holding a baby

Man smiles and looks to the left while holding a drink

Group of people stand around and chat in the brewery

Dean Boise talking to two people animatedly

Three alumni smile at the camera

A group of seven alumni smile at the camera together

Melissa Cassidy smiles and chats to an alum

Two alumni smiling in conversation, one holding a wine glass

Woman smiles and talks to someone while holding a wine glass

Woman smiles at the camera while holding her baby in front of foosball tables

Two men smiling and talking to each other

Man smiles and talks to another man while holding a wine glass

Two alumni smile at the camera

Sign of Mile High City text in the brewery

Five alumni talk outside in a circle outside of the Wynkoop Brewing Co.

Women smiles talking to other alumni in a group.

Three men stand in front of a pool table and smile at the camera

Dean Boise talks to a group of people

Group of alumni hold drinks and chat animatedly in a circle

Group of three men cheers with their drinks and smile

College of Law’s Innovation Law Center to Host “Venture to Victory: Pioneer Perspectives in Tech, Venture, and Private Equity” Symposium

(Syracuse, NY – January 24, 2024) Syracuse University College of Law’s Innovation Law Center (ILC) is hosting the “Venture to Victory: Pioneer Perspectives in Tech, Venture, and Private Equity” Symposium on Tuesday, February 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Melanie Gray Ceremonial Courtroom. 

The symposium will feature a panel of successful entrepreneurs, financial investors, and legal experts in a discussion on the challenges that high-growth, privately held tech companies face as they take on private equity, venture capital, or other forms of funding. Panelists will cover investment deals they have completed, trends in financing, and their career paths in the technology commercialization space.  

Those interested in the legal, financial, business, and entrepreneurial aspects of high-growth companies are encouraged to attend. The event is free.

Register

Brian Gerling L’99, Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the ILC, will moderate the discussion. 

The event will be streamed live and a recording will be made available for those who cannot attend. CART will be provided.

The symposium is co-sponsored by the New York State Science & Technology Law Center, the College of Law’s Corporate Law Society and Intellectual Property Law Society, and the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries. 

The panelists are: 

Peter Alfano L’94, Partner, DLA Piper  

Alfano represents private equity sponsors, corporations, and lenders in a wide variety of domestic and cross-border finance transactions, including leveraged acquisitions, corporate financings, dividend recapitalizations, restructurings, and asset-based lending transactions. He has experience across several tech industries and advises companies in connection with intercompany finance arrangements, corporate restructurings, and general corporate matters, including for private equity-owned portfolio companies.       

Luke Cooper L’01, Founding General Partner and Managing Director, Latimer Ventures 

Cooper is the Founding General Partner and Managing Director at Latimer Ventures. Latimer Ventures is an enterprise-focused Venture Capital firm dedicated to helping Black & Hispanic founders build and exit the next RedHat, Datadog, or Tableau. He spends most of his time fundraising and nurturing a strong pipeline of early-stage enterprise SaaS companies.  
 
Before Latimer, Cooper was a 2x successfully exited enterprise software founder (Cybersecurity & Insurtech) with both exits to Fortune 300 acquirers. In 2020, he sold his company, Fixt, an enterprise-focused third-party administration software, to Assurant (NYSE:AIZ), a Fortune 300 leader in insurance risk management. After raising a $6.5M Series A, he became one of three Black Founders to reach a profitable exit that year. 

James Kelly L’99, Partner and Chair, New York Private Equity, DLA Piper  

Kelly 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.  

He 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 and Strafford, and has received recognition for his pro bono work, including the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society. Kelly is a member of the Syracuse University College of Law Board of Advisors.                                   

Lon Levin L’80 – President, SkySevenVentures  

Levin is President of SkySevenVentures, which invests in, advises, and provides executive services for space and other technology businesses. He has more than 40 years of experience as an executive and entrepreneur in the telecommunications, media, and aerospace industries. 
 
Recently, from 2017-2023, Levin was an executive for Lockheed Martin Space developing new businesses and markets. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GEOshare, an entrepreneurial subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, and as Vice President-New Ventures. 
 
Levin co-founded XM Satellite Radio and played executive leadership roles in the formation and development of other satellite, space, and media companies including Mobile Satellite Ventures, XM Canada, Slacker Radio, American Mobile Satellite Corporation, TerraStar Networks (mobile satellite), GEOshare (condosats), and Parsec (lunar telecommunications). 
 
He served as a U.S. Delegate negotiating technology treaties at many International Telecommunication Union conferences and holds five telecommunication satellite patents. Levin has served as a Special Government Employee on the Defense Department’s Defense Business Board and the NASA Advisory Council. 

Levin is Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of The Planetary Society and Board Member Emeritus of the Space Foundation, where has was Chairperson from 2014-16.  

Kevin Whittaker L’02, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Ripcord   

Whittaker is the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Ripcord, a NASA spinoff specializing in the digital optimization of data through robotics and AI. Ripcord is backed by Silicon Valley’s leading investors, including Kleiner Perkins and Google Ventures.

Whittaker provides counsel on Venture Financing, M&A, Operations, Human Resources, and Governance. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, he plays a pivotal role in aligning the company’s business strategies with legal and compliance standards, fostering collaboration with stakeholders, customers, and investors.

Whittaker was a speaker at Match-Up 2023, speaking on: “AI Unleashed: Pioneering a New Epoch of Innovation” which explored the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on diverse industries and its pivotal role in shaping the future. Before becoming an in-house corporate counsel, he was a Partner at Reed Smith, and of counsel to Baker McKenzie and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.   

Raul Velez III L’18 joins the College of Law as an Adjunct Professor

Raul Velez III L’18 joins the College of Law as an Adjunct Professor. He will teach Deposition Practice.

Velez is currently a Trial Attorney with Sobo & Sobo, LLP, where he has tried to verdict and settled personal injury and other cases for hundreds of clients. Before that, he was an Associate Attorney with Goldblatt & Associates PC, with a primary focus on traumatic brain injury litigation, and with Cuddy Law Firm PLLC, where he represented students with special needs against the New York City Department of Education. Recently, Velez *was awarded the Young Alumni Award by the College of Law.

While in law school, he spent several semesters as an Honors Intern at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C. While at the SEC, he received a Certificate for Outstanding Service to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Inspector General. He was also an award-winning member of the Trial Team and competed both regionally and nationally.

Since graduating from the College of Law, Velez has been a Lecturer for the Introduction to Trial Practice Residency Program for the College of Law’s hybrid online J.D. program and a Guest lecturer for the Trial Practice Course and Deposition course. He also coaches Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society trial teams.

Velez earned a B.A. in political science in 2015 from the California State University – Northridge, and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 2018.

College of Law Adds Richard Wallach L’06 as a Visiting Professor

Richard Wallach L’06 has joined the College of Law as a Visiting Professor teaching Legal Communications and Research.

Prior to joining the College of Law, Wallach served as Career Law Clerk to the Honorable Kathleen Cardone of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas for nearly sixteen years, from 2006 to 2022. He supported Judge Cardone by drafting orders and memos and by providing counsel to the Judge on a wide variety of civil and criminal issues.  He also supervised the term law clerks in their work for the Court. After clerking, Wallach practiced immigration law in Syracuse, first at Hiscock Legal Aid Society and then as a solo practitioner.

Before his legal career, from 1991 to 2002, Wallach served in various management and marketing roles at FAME Information Services, a software company that developed analytical tools for economists and quantitative analysts in finance and government.

Wallach earned a J.D. summa cum laude in 2006 from Syracuse University College of Law, as well as an M.A. in East Asian Studies in 1988 from Yale University, and a B.A. in Economics in 1987 from Haverford College. In 1987, he attended The Stanford Center in Taipei, Taiwan, for intensive study of Mandarin Chinese.

While a student at the College of Law, he was the Managing Editor of Syracuse Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Justinian Honor Society.

3L Daniel Peraza Soles Named the Recipient of the Alexander Memorial Scholarship

The recipient of the Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship for 2023-24 is 3L Daniel Peraza Soles. Peraza Soles was selected after a competitive application process by the Alexander Memorial Scholarship Committee to receive this significant scholarship in recognition of his commitment and dedication to public service.

He has focused his time at the College of Law by externing for the Office of the Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida in Summer 2022 and interning for the Federal Public Defender of the Northern District of New York this past summer.  In part due to these experiences, Peraza Soles has accepted a post-graduate position with the Colorado State Public Defender.

“My summer positions have solidified my desire to work in public service, providing much-needed legal counsel to those who cannot afford a lawyer,” says Peraza Soles. “I want to thank the Alexander family for their dedication to supporting College of Law students in their pursuits, in particular those seeking a career in public service.”

The Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship was established by College of Law Board of Advisors Member and Syracuse University Trustee Richard M. Alexander L’82, Chairman of Arnold & Porter, and his wife Emily.

Danielle Wild L’15 Joins the College of Law as an Associate Teaching Professor

Danielle Wild L’15 has joined the College of Law as an Associate Teaching Professor. She had previously been a Visiting Professor teaching Legal Communications and Research. Wild will teach Legal Communications and Research courses along with Oral Communications and Advocacy Skills and Appellate Advocacy Skills in the JDinteractive online J.D. program.

Previously, Wild was a solo practitioner in Rochester, NY where she pursued criminal and quasi-criminal appeals in both state and federal intermediate appellate courts, investigated wrongful conviction claims, independently and together with the assistance of an investigator, and brought motions to vacate criminal convictions in both state and federal court. Prior to that, Wild was an associate attorney at Easton Thompson Kasperek Shiffrin LLP of Rochester, NY.

Wild graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, summa cum laude, and from Syracuse University College of Law, summa cum laude, in 2015. While in law school, she competed as a member of the National Trial Team and was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, Secretary of the Justinian Honor Society, a Law Ambassador, and an editor on the Syracuse Law Review.

3L John Hubert’s Case Summary appears in the Veterans Law Journal

Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) student 3L John Hubert’s case summary of Mayfield v. McDonough, 36 Vet. App. 251 (2023), appeared in the Veterans Law Journal, 2023, Vol. III, pages 26-31, a quarterly publication of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association (CAVC).

His summary was of Mayfield v. McDonough, a case that involved a Board of Veterans’ Appeal decision that denied a request by a veteran’s surviving granddaughter to substitute herself in the veterans place to continue his benefits appeal after his death. The Veterans Law Journal provides recent case summaries of federal court cases impacting the field of veterans law, and are written by practicing veterans law attorneys. Hubert volunteered as a student contributor under the supervision of Professor Beth Kubala, Executive Director of the VLC.

“I mentioned to Professor Kubala that I wanted to get involved in academic-type writing regarding veterans law, and that’s when she told me that the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims’ Bar Association puts out the Veterans Law Journal, which provides articles and case summaries,” said Hubert. “The case I was assigned, Mayfield, was mostly decided by the CAVC on principles of federal jurisdiction, administrative law, and veterans law, and CAVC refused to grant itself the power to review the propriety of a Reviewing Office’s denial of a request for substitution. Overall it was a positive experience that I really enjoyed, and I hope to have similar opportunities such as this in the future, and it is only an example of the kinds of experiences the clinic has allowed me to have.”

“John voluntarily sought out this unique opportunity to contribute to the field of veterans law. He tackled a case involving a complex procedural issue and summarized it in a way that practicing attorneys can understand. John’s efforts directly impact the way veterans and their survivors navigate the benefits process. I’m very proud of his efforts and scholarly work,” says Kubala.

“The legal clinic at the College of Law is without a question what I am most proud, honored, and privileged to be a part of here at Syracuse,” said Hubert. “Working with Professor Kubala and the other students at the clinic has allowed me to grow professionally and personally in ways I never thought I would be able to, even strengthening my bond with one of my best friends who is an active-duty Marine.”

About The Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic

The Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic provides representation to veterans and their families who are seeking benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or upgrading an unfavorable discharge through the various military services. While representing real clients, student attorneys gain an understanding of military culture, interact with government agencies, develop case management skills, improve advocacy skills, and instill the value of pro bono service.

About The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association was created to improve and facilitate the administration of justice in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). The CAVC Bar Association provides information and services to the community of those interested in Veterans law, a diverse and rapidly growing area of administrative law.

College of Law Announces the Hon. James E. Graves, Jr G’80, L’80 as the Class of 2024 Commencement Speaker

The College of Law announces that the Hon. James E. Graves, Jr G’80, L’80 is the Class of 2024 Commencement Speaker. Judge Graves is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is the first Black jurist from Mississippi to serve on that court.

Judge Graves is a highly respected jurist who is known for his integrity and commitment to public service. Before being nominated to the Federal bench in 2011 by President Barack Obama, Judge Graves held legal positions in public interest settings, private practice, and state government before being appointed to county and state courts. His community involvement has earned him local, state, and federal recognition for his work to empower Mississippi’s youth.  In 2018, Judge Graves was a recipient of the College of Law’s Law Honors Award. Commencement for the Class of 2024 is Friday, May 3, 2024, in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Syracuse University College of Law Introduces the First Joint J.D./LL.M. Degree in Advocacy and Litigation

(Syracuse, NY | November 28, 2023) Syracuse University College of Law now offers the nation’s first joint J.D./LL.M. degree in Advocacy and Litigation. The joint degree allows full-time, on-campus College of Law J.D. students to earn their J.D. and LL.M. at the same time, graduating with both degrees in three years, and at no cost beyond that of the J.D.

Prospective students applying for entry into the J.D. program for the Fall of 2024 will have the opportunity to apply for conditional entry to the LL.M. during the admitted student process. Alternatively, any student who has completed their first year of law school can apply for the joint degree up to the first semester of their third year. Upon completion of their first year, students with a GPA of 2.9 or higher are eligible to pursue the joint degree.

The LL.M. consists of 25 advocacy-focused credits. 13 credits are mandatory and 12 are elective credits, six of which may also count towards the J.D., meaning students must take 19 unique LL.M. credits across four semesters. Students can focus their studies on one of the three areas of advocacy: Trial, Appellate, or Alternative Dispute Resolution. Students would take, on average, 17/18 credits per semester which is similar to most joint J.D./master’s degree programs.

“The J.D./LL.M. joint degree reflects our innovative approach to legal education, which focuses on empowering students to obtain the skills, knowledge, and experiences that contemporary law practice demands,” says College of Law Dean Craig M. Boise. “Many law students enter law school because they want to be in the courtroom, and the practical orientation of this degree offers a distinct advantage when entering the field.”

Required courses are Evidence, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Advocacy Skills, and Trial Practice. Elective courses include Advanced Litigation Skills, Selecting Your Jury, and Writing for Trial and Appellate Judges as well as participation on an intercollegiate competition team.

“Being able to simultaneously earn your J.D. and a specialized law master’s degree is a game changer for students,” says Kathy Fox, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management. “Many students currently take advantage of our leading advocacy programming and with this joint degree they can maximize their investment with credentials that previously have been available only after completing the J.D.”

Click this link for more information on the joint degree and click this link for admissions information.

The College of Law’s Advocacy Program features a comprehensive advocacy curriculum concentration and the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society. The Advocacy Program hosts the Syracuse National Trial Competition and the National Disability Law Appellate Competition and co-hosts the Transatlantic Negotiation Competition and the Hall of Fame Sports and Entertainment Law Negotiation Competition. In addition, the College created the National Trial League, a unique online competition recognized by Bloomberg Law’s Law School Innovation Program for Student Development.