1L D’Andre Gordon was named a Federal Magistrate Judges Association (FMJA) Fellow for the 2023-2024 academic year. He is one of eight law students nationwide to be named a FMJA Fellow. Gordon will be interning for the Hon. Thérèse Wiley Dancks L’91, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York.
According to the FMJA, “The FMJA is committed to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and the courts. For this reason, FMJA, in collaboration with Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, created the fellowships to support and promote the placement of diverse and underrepresented law students in judicial internships with U.S. Magistrate Judges. Each FMJA Fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in FMJA programs advising students about the application process for federal clerkships and the various career pathways to the bench.”
Gordon says, “As someone who identifies strongly with Black people’s struggle for liberation, the FMJA fellowship is necessary for increasing diversity in the judiciary. Because the intersection of race and class permeates every aspect of our lives, the federal judiciary must strive to reflect the demographic makeup of the U.S. population. Otherwise, there is a real risk that federal courts will cause more significant public harm, and public trust will erode. Working with a magistrate judge will allow me to better understand how federal judges decide cases of great importance while also learning about multiple areas of law. Using the skills I’ll gain working in a judge’s chambers, I hope to become a stronger and more effective advocate for individuals and groups lacking access to the legal system.”
