Around Syracuse Law

LondonEx: Syracuse Law Celebrates 45 Years in One of the World’s Most Dynamic Cities

A red double decker bus on a street with British flags hung between the buildings

Congratulations to Syracuse Law’s LondonEx Program as it celebrates 45 years of sending students abroad during the summer break to gain exposure to the British legal system and take in the culture of London.

Working with the Syracuse University London Centre, Faraday House, students from the College of Law and other ABA-accredited law schools take in an immersive experience that offers the practice of law in a global setting. The first week of the program is spent in an orientation where students gain insight into the legal system of the United Kingdom from guest lecturers, as well as tours through various “legal London” sites such as the Inns of Court, the Old Bailey, and British Parliament, as they start to understand the law beyond the U.S. system.

A large group of students and faculty pose for a photo at a long table. Large portraits hang on the wall in the background.

Students then begin six weeks of work in a professional legal setting alongside civil and criminal barristers, solicitors, and judges in the Crown Court system, human rights and international law NGOs, and others. The cohort comes together throughout the summer over evening lectures, networking events, and programming designed by the program’s co-directors, Assistant Dean Horsfall and Professor Margaret Harding.

The program typically enrolls 15-20 students each summer who have completed their 1L year. This year, Horsfall has been working in London to recruit more sites to host future LondonEx students.

Alex Stolfe headshot

“It was a fantastic opportunity to see how the English system is a bit different from the U.S. During the first week of the program, we took tours to see different places where the barristers practice. We went to Parliament and were able to speak to some of the Members and Lords, and we had the unique experience of seeing a bill passed into law.”

Alex Stolfe ’23, L’25

Alex Stolfe ’23, L’25 studied abroad in Florence, Italy, as an undergraduate, but once she joined Syracuse Law, she thought her days of international study and travel were a closed chapter. Then, she heard about the LondonEx program and was eager to spend time abroad once again, while pursuing the opportunity for an externship to gain experience unlike those of her classmates who remained in the U.S. after their 1L year.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to see how the English system is a bit different from the U.S.,” says Stolfe, who spent the summer of 2023 in London. “During the first week of the program, we took tours to see different places where the barristers practice. We went to Parliament and were able to speak to some of the Members and Lords, and we had the unique experience of seeing a bill passed into law.” Stolfe is Canadian, which made it an even more fascinating experience with yet another legal system to compare.

A large group photo

She spent the next six weeks at an externship at Withers Worldwide, a global litigation firm with expertise in a range of practice areas and legal services for private individual and business clients, art museums, high fashion and luxury brands. There, she was assigned to one of the firm’s partners in the litigation and dispute resolution practice area.

“The biggest difference for me is that the British system doesn’t seem as adversarial,” she says. “It’s very cordial with the barristers wearing their traditional beautiful wigs and robes. They addressed each other with phrases like, ‘My learned friend,’ when speaking to opposing counsel.”

Alex in an art gallery

“And, beyond the work and class experience, we made sure we got to see all of the city, including plays in the West End, group dinners, and meeting other mentors in the program, as well as alumni networking events with Syracuse graduates living and working in London.

Alex Stolfe ’23, L’25

Stolfe also had the opportunity to get to know other students spending the summer in London. “The University sets up everything for you,” she says. “And, beyond the work and class experience, we made sure we got to see all of the city, including plays in the West End, group dinners, and meeting other mentors in the program, as well as alumni networking events with Syracuse graduates living and working in London. We definitely became fast friends.”

Stolfe is very pleased that she spent time in London learning about the law in the U.K. “I’ve always been an advocate for exposing yourself to other cultures, and I’m very grateful for the LondonEx program,” she says. “It helps to create more well-rounded lawyers and better global citizens.”

A person in a trenchcoat walks passed a double decker bus

Assistant Dean of International Programs Travels the World to Promote Global Relationships with Syracuse Law

Andrew Horsfall speaks with Arlene Kanter in a bright classroom

Assistant Dean of International Programs at the College of Law Andrew Horsfall ’05, L’10 has a career that has put him all over the map. Most recently his travels have taken him to London, Poland, and Switzerland, but the stamps in his passport are too numerous to count.

Horsfall’s journey with Syracuse University began as an undergraduate at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government with a minor in French and Francophone studies. After graduating, he went to work as an admissions counselor for Syracuse Abroad, helping undergraduates spend a semester in another country, while also supporting Syracuse Law’s summer externship program in London (now referred to as LondonEx). In hindsight, he sees that this first foray helped him understand how international higher education could become a profession he might enjoy.

Horsfall in London with JDi students
Andrew Horsfall with JDi students in London during the Comparative Trial Advocacy course in 2023.

But first, he decided to become a lawyer, earning his J.D. from Syracuse Law in 2010 and becoming a practicing attorney with Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet P.C., in Syracuse. After a few years, however, another opportunity surfaced. “At the time, I wasn’t sure I would transition out of private practice altogether, but Syracuse Law had very recently launched its LL.M. program and was looking for someone to develop it who had familiarity with international higher education, legal education, and legal practice,” says Horsfall. “My experience brought together all of these, and I found myself in the right place at the right time.”

“The great diversity of students the program has attracted has led to a more vibrant and rich program for Syracuse Law. Faculty and students regularly interact with LL.M. students who are academics, judges, and lawyers of varied expertise.”

Andrew Horsfall ’05, L’10

Twelve years later, he has led the development of a robust portfolio of international programs that have allowed foreign-educated lawyers, academics, and judges to earn an LL.M. or Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.); expanded the LondonEx program and short-term study abroad opportunities in several other countries; built strong partnerships with dozens of foreign governments, sponsoring organizations, NGOs, private organizations and global universities to support enrollment in the Syracuse LL.M. program; and fostered academic partnerships, created recruitment strategies for prospective student exchanges and managed programs that welcome visiting scholars and semester exchange students. In turn, these international relationships have also allowed Syracuse Law faculty and students to benefit from many of these programs and experiences, as well as represent the College at recruitment events, conferences and speaking engagements around the globe.

LL.M. students pose in their caps and gowns during commencement in 2024
Syracuse University College of Law LL.M. Class of 2024

The LL.M. program in 2012 started with just two students from South Korea and Sierra Leone but has since built itself into a program that welcomes 30-40 students each year from disparate corners of the globe.

“The great diversity of students the program has attracted has led to a more vibrant and rich program for Syracuse Law,” Horsfall explains. “Faculty and students regularly interact with LL.M. students who are academics, judges, and lawyers of varied expertise.”

LL.M. Students in a classroom at Orientation
The LL.M. class at orientation in August of 2023.

Horsfall has worked diligently to build pathways for students from various countries and cultivate routes to Syracuse Law on a regular basis through in-country visits by him and others at the College of Law. “The cultivation of relationships and development of new partnerships takes consistent effort that is well worth it. It can take months, if not years, to see ideas for collaboration culminate in a new project or the mobility of students or faculty, but the rewards are invaluable to everyone involved,” he says. “Facilitating the exchange of ideas, the exposure to otherness, and the widening of perspectives and opportunities to learn from one another are my core drivers.”

Currently, Syracuse Law has a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with foreign law schools (see sidebar). Horsfall’s intention is that these MOUs don’t only bring students to Syracuse Law but also create valuable partnerships that foster the exchange of researchers and professors as visiting scholars to collaborate on projects, lecture to students and faculty, and explore new ways of working together. He says support among faculty, which is high at Syracuse Law, through their own relationships and referrals from abroad are also key to success. See Syracuse Law’s thriving partnership with Poland’s University of Bialystok.

Andrew Horsfall, Dean dr hab. Mariusz Popławski and Craig Boise pose for a photo
Andrew Horsfall, University of Bialystok Dean dr hab. Mariusz Popławski and Craig Boise pose for a photo during a visit to the University of Bialystok in spring 2024.

While Horsfall oversees these international initiatives, he is quick to praise faculty colleagues and staff in the Office of International Programs. “Most of these accomplishments would not have been possible without the team effort among various faculty and staff who understand and support the mission of the Office,” he says.

However, most at the law school give Horsfall a tremendous amount of credit for growing the program to its current popularity, as well as continually looking for other opportunities to make Syracuse Law’s international connections even more robust.

“I don’t think you can talk about the success of our international programs without talking about Andrew’s contributions,” says Shannon Gardner, teaching professor and associate dean of online education. “He has been a part of this growing initiative to bring foreign students and professors here, while also finding ways to send others to various countries, which is beneficial in every way. Part of our success at Syracuse Law is the richness and diversity that these programs bring to our school and our students, which makes for an extraordinary law school experience.”

Reflections on the Career of Professor Arlene Kanter

Arlene Kanter

More than 50 faculty, students, alumni, and friends from Syracuse Law and Syracuse University along with dozens on Zoom from around the world, attended the program “The Past, Present, and Future of Disability Lawn and Policy at the College of Law” to honor the retirement of Professor Arlene Kanter.

Kanter’s contributions to the lives of numerous Syracuse Law students and the global legal profession during her four-plus decades of service are difficult to wrap one’s head around. There are countless books, articles, presentations, committee memberships, guest teaching positions, not to mention co-counsel to two U.S. Supreme Court cases, and so much more, it is hard to narrow these accomplishments down to a few highlights.

There are, however, two lasting accomplishments that will continue to make an impact on the world at large:

  • Kanter established the Syracuse Law Disability Law and Policy Program (DLPP) in 2005 which has evolved into one of the most comprehensive disability legal studies programs in the country. DLPP draws J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., and visiting scholars from around the world to immerse themselves in all aspects of disability law and its intersection with international human rights law.
  • From 2001-06, Kanter worked with the United Nations committee on drafting the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD). Since then, she has collaborated with governments and disability organizations on implementing the CRPD in more than a dozen countries and counting.

In Their Words:

Dean Craig Boise clapping in recognition of Arlene at the podium

“As we gather today, we owe a big thank you to Professor Arlene Kanter for founding the DLPP back in 2005 and serving as the director of the program for nearly 20 years. Under her leadership, the DLPP has grown into a center that is not only integral to the College of Law but also to the broader university.”

Craig Boise, Dean

Paula Johnson speaking at the podium

“You are a beloved teacher, and that is to say not only for the law students and [those] in the School of Education and other places, but for all of us. You have always committed to teaching us to make us more aware. Your path-making ways have also inspired all of us to be and do our best.”

Paula Johnson, Director of the Cold Case Justice Initiative

Suzette Meléndez speaking at the podium

“There were several instances when the Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic represented members and families that were members of the disability community. When I needed to seek out disability expertise, and someone who knew the area at both a theoretical and practical level, for me there was only one answer. It was Arlene. Arlene always made herself available as a collaborative partner who could consult to make sure that I was serving our clients to the best of our ability and withwhom I could explore the latest and greatest developments in disability law that would provide the best option for our clients.”

Suzette Meléndez, Faculty Fellow for the Office of Strategic Initiatives in Academic, Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Syracuse University; former director of the Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic


Cora True-Frost laughing

“You have fostered an environment of inquiry and critical thinking and most importantly to me, you have delivered real change in our university community. You secured a commitment that our university would ensure that our newly-constructed buildings not only ensure accessibility but also move beyond mere compliance to ensure equity through your advocacy on the campus facilities advisory board. Simply put, your voice matters in the room. It matters for people with disabilities and all of us.”

Cora True-Frost G’01, L’01, Bond, Schoeneck & King Distinguished Professor

Beth Ferri speaking into a microphone

“We are truly indebted to your leadership, your energy, and your passion for all things disability rights. I know you’ll continue to be a strong force for change, but I also hope you get to enjoy a little bit more time with family and friends and the beautiful sun and sea of Cape Cod.”

Beth Ferri, Associate Dean for Research, School of Education

Julie and Arlene pose together for the camera

“Every time I return to SU for alumni events or to speak with disability law students, I am astounded by the diversity of students and professions and interests that Arlene has cultivated within the DLPP. Every time I’m at an event I am inspired by the law students and alums. It’s an amazing legacy.”

Julie Morse G’05, L’05, Attorney, Legal Services of Central New York


Two people hugging

“Although I did not have the benefit of being one of your students, the lessons I’ve learned from you transcend the classroom. Evidenced here today, your work and your humanity have left an imprint on so many and the seeds you planted continue to grow.”

Andrew Horsfall L’10, Assistant Dean of International Programs, Co-Director, LondonEx


Daniel VanSant speaking into the microphone

“What strikes me is that my story is not really special when you look at the alums in this network. She’s created a who’s who network of people in disability rights. I think it’s important to summarize what an impact she has had on the world if we just think of the number of people with disabilities who were her alumni’s clients as part of a class action, as part of policies we are changing, we quickly get to millions of people that were positively impacted by Arlene and whose lives have her fingerprints on them.”

Daniel Van Sant G’16, L’16, Director of Disability Policy, The Harkin Institute


Renci “Mercy” Xie, Arlene and Johannes pose for a photo

“Professor Kanter is an internationally recognized scholar in disability law. And she writes incisive articles defending disability rights. Yet she is a humble, warm, and friendly person. I am so grateful and honored to be Professor Kanter’s student as an LL.M. and S.J.D. As an advisor, she is guiding me through my dissertation and encourages me to explore new methods in legal study. I could not ask for a better Ph.D. advisor.”

Renci “Mercy” Xie LL.M.’20, S.J.D. candidate

Kat Macfarlane speaking into the microphone

“As I think of the past very busy year as I settle into my life in Syracuse, one thing has been constant—Arlene’s support. In the disability law field, Arlene is nothing short of a legend. The College of Law has a reputation as a disability law and policy leader thanks to Arlene’s groundbreaking work. As I continue to think of the future of DLPP, I think about continuing to live up to Arlene’s standards and staying true to her values.”

Katherine Macfarlane, Director of the Disability Law and Policy Program

3Ls Jackson Dankert and Brett VanBuren Win the 2024 New England Hockey Arbitration Competition

The team of 3Ls Jackson Dankert and Brett VanBuren have won the 2024 New England Hockey Arbitration Competition (NEHAC) hosted by Western New England School of Law.

NEHAC is a moot court competition centered on hockey arbitration offered to law students from schools across the U.S. and Canada held every summer virtually. In the first stage, Dankert and VanBuren represented two players seeking arbitration as well as their corresponding hockey teams during three rounds of competition. After the first stage, the Syracuse Law team scored highest amongst all competing teams, earning a spot in the finals where they prevailed in one final round. VanBuren was selected as M.V.P. of the competition.

Before the competition, Dankert and VanBuren submitted two 10-page briefs in support of both the player side and the club in one of the arbitration scenarios. They then prepared scripts and slides to present at the competition. Daniel Greene L’16, an associate at Newman & Lickstein, served as their coach. Greene competed at the Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada and took second place in 2015.

Dankert is currently a Mergers and Acquisitions summer intern at KPMG and is Vice President of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society as well as being a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society Alternative Dispute Resolution Division, and Syracuse Law Review.

VanBuren is a US Army JAG Corps summer intern assigned to Southern European Task Force – Africa where he competed in the NEHAC from Vicenza, Italy, President of the Corporate Law Society, a member of the Journal of International Law and Commerce, and a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society Alternative Dispute Resolution Division. He was recently appointed the Law Student Representative to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees.

Brett VanBuren and Jackson Dankert

Alumni Juggles Career as Staff Counsel for California State Controller with Duties as a Deputy Commander in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps

Charles Taylor smiles at the camera

Charles Taylor L’96 was working on his bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Southern California (USC) in the early ‘90s when he went to a law school forum and spoke to a representative from the Syracuse University College of Law. His interest in law started around the time of the beating of Rodney King by four Los Angeles police officers and the subsequent riots when those officers were acquitted by a jury. Then, Taylor was also an enlisted sailor assigned as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He was weighing a career in aviation and aerospace, “But,” he says, “law school was a rare opportunity, and I wanted to help make the world a better place.”

Taylor was invited to a six-week pre-law program at Syracuse Law, which gave him a first-hand experience of what law school would be like. It made a positive impression, and he decided that law school would be his next step. So, the native Californian moved across the country to attend Syracuse Law.

Charles Taylor's photo on the Class of 1996 graduation composite in Dineen Hall

He recalls several mentors at the law school, including the late Professor C. Roderick Surratt, who taught contracts law; then-Dean Daan Braveman, a distinguished lecturer who was instrumental in teaching him constitutional law; and Professor of Law Paula C. Johnson, who taught criminal law.

“The breadth of the faculty had a positive impact on me, and it kept me interested in pursuing the law,” he explains.

Taylor also participated in the Black Law Students Association and worked at the Housing and Finance Clinic, which gave him an opportunity to help those from the local community with issues related to housing and finance.

After graduating with a law degree, Taylor worked in insurance and finance, while also continuing his commitment to the U.S. Navy Reserves for a time. In addition, he earned an LL.M. in taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law, which led him to a position as tax counsel for the California State Board of Equalization. In 2008, he became a staff counsel for the Office of the State Controller. In his current role, he works for State Controller Malia M. Cohen, who is the chief fiscal officer for the state of California. His responsibilities are primarily focused on unclaimed property issues, where constituents are trying to claim funds from bank accounts or insurance policies, for example, that have somehow been lost and turned over to the state. His job is to work to return money that belongs to the proper owners.

Charles Taylor addressing students and alumni at the NVRC in 2022
Charles Taylor L’96 addressing students and alumni at the NVRC in 2022

As his career grew, he also stayed true to his military roots. In 2003, Taylor left the U.S. Navy Reserves and joined the U.S. Army Reserves, as part of the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, where he remains today as a lieutenant colonel and deputy commander of the Army Reserves 4th Legal Operations Detachment based at Fort Totten in New York. As deputy commander, Taylor executes the unit commander’s vision and guidance, and provides training and legal services in support of a ready, responsive and globally engaged Army and Joint Force, while also working on the legal needs of soldiers, civilian military employees and military families.

His involvement with the Army is part-time, requiring him to travel cross country once a month and two full weeks a year, but he remains committed to his military service.

“It’s a balancing act,” he says of his parallel careers. “My role with the Army is now more of a management function, but managing people is one of the biggest effects that the military has,” he says, noting that his skills learned in the military have helped him be a better attorney in his role with the controller’s office.

Charles Taylor addressing students and alumni at the NVRC in 2022

Being stationed with the Army in New York State gives Taylor the opportunity to visit Syracuse University on occasion. He has visited campus twice in the past few years, once for a Syracuse Alumni Law Association meeting, and another, last year, for a career program with the University’s Office of Veterans Affairs, talking about the JAG Corps. In March, Taylor also had the opportunity to interact with some of Syracuse Law’s alumni and JDinteractive (JDi) students who were attending a residency on bankruptcy law in Los Angeles. He hopes to look for more chances to keep his connection with Syracuse Law going strong.

Taylor is pleased that he made the decision to take his career in the direction of the law and encourages others to do the same.

“If you’re interested in the law, pursue your dreams,” he says. “Talk to other people who you can identify as mentors and who can help you get through the rigors of law school. And, finally, remember to build relationships—and maintain those relationships to the best of your ability as you progress in your legal career.”

Third-Generation Law Student Co-Founds Environmental Law Association, Looks to Positively Impact the Syracuse Community

Luke sits on a knee wall and smiles with Dineen Hall behind him

Syracuse native and first-year law student Luke Overdyk ’22 (FALK), L’26, has had an appreciation for the environment for as long as he can remember. He attributes that to his parents taking him and his three brothers on hikes, enjoying nature documentaries on family movie nights and instilling an appreciation of the beauty of Central New York.

He first started considering a career related to the environment while earning a bachelor’s degree in sports management at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University with a minor in environment policy and communications from nearby State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF).

Luke sits on a knee wall and smiles with Falk behind him

“Although I was interested in sports, I found myself more excited about my environmental classes,” he says. Overdyk met Payton Sorci L’22, who was studying at Syracuse University College of Law at the time. Both had common interests in sports and giving back to the community, and soon Sorci became a friend and mentor who further encouraged Overdyk to study law as a way to combine his interests.

Overdyk took a sports law class at Falk and later merged his interests in the environment for his senior Capstone, working at Syracuse University’s Sustainability Office as an intern for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Sports Sustainability Team. There, he worked with other ACC schools to learn how they developed processes to reduce emissions and limit waste for their athletic programs.

Luke walking on campus
Luke walks on campus in a vintage Syracuse University sweater that once belonged to his grandfather and College of Law alumnus, Bernard Mahoney L’69.

Ultimately, he decided he wanted to go to law school, but not just any law school—Syracuse University College of Law. It was the only place he applied to, and he is proud to be the third generation of his family to attend.

”I wanted to be like my mom, and a law degree resonated with me,” he says. “And, of course, my dad, who is an engineer, has also been tremendously supportive of my career decisions.” (Overdyk’s mom, Joanie Mahoney ’87 (WSM), L’90, is president of SUNY ESF and a former Onondaga County executive. His late grandfather, Bernard Mahoney L’69, was a Syracuse Common Councilor and member of the New York State Assembly.)

Luke and mom, Joanie Mahoney during orientation at the College of Law
Luke poses proudly with his mom, Joanie Mahoney ’87, L’90 during orientation at the College of Law.

“My mom taught me to have the confidence to just ‘go for’ things…She credits Syracuse Law with teaching her to problem solve throughout her career, and I know that wherever I end up, law school will have taught me relevant skills.”

Luke Overdyk ’22 (FALK), L’26

Luke finds his mom on the composite images during admitted students day when he first came to visit the College of Law
On his first official visit to the College of Law as an admitted student, Luke hangs back from the building tour to snap a photo of his mom from one of the graduation composites hanging on the walls of the second floor of Dineen Hall.

“My mom taught me to have the confidence to just ‘go for’ things. And, she has taken a lot of the heaviness out of the parts of law school that can be daunting, starting with taking the LSATs,” Overdyk says. “She credits Syracuse Law with teaching her to problem solve throughout her career, and I know that wherever I end up, law school will have taught me relevant skills.”

On Overdyk’s first day of law school orientation, he sat next to Austin Dewey L’26. “We talked about how we both loved pick-up basketball and were interested in environmental law, and we quickly decided to create a club for other law students who cared about the planet,” he explains. “While we were a bit overwhelmed during our first semester as 1Ls, we hit the ground running the second semester, and the Environmental Law Student Association (ELSA) recently had its first meeting. We are fortunate to have Professor David Dreisen as the club’s faculty advisor, as he is a distinguished environmental law expert.

Luke and other Syracuse Law students meet about the Environmental Law Student Association

“Our region’s challenges actually create very positive opportunities for change, which is so important as they pertain to the environment, economic interests and the people who live here.”

Luke Overdyk ’22 (FALK), L’26

Both Overdyk and Dewey want it to be “the coolest club on campus,” and an inclusive organization that can closely examine issues through discussions with government leaders, scientists and others who can speak on the many ways our society interacts with our natural environment,  particularly within the Syracuse community. Overdyk is well aware that his hometown of Syracuse has some unique environmental challenges, including a history of pollution in nearby Onondaga Lake, ongoing lead abatement problems in the community and issues surrounding the environmental impact of the reconstruction of Route 81, which intersects the city.

“Our region’s challenges actually create very positive opportunities for change, which is so important as they pertain to the environment, economic interests and the people who live here,” he explains.

Luke meets up with Professor David Driesen on campus
Luke and Professor David Driesen stop to greet each other as they pass on campus.

As his first year of law school draws to a close, Overdyk is confident in his decisions to pursue the law and co-found a new club on campus. This summer, he will work at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, while also training for the New York City Marathon in November to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund.

Luke and Austin Dewey competed in a marathon together
Luke and classmate, Austin Dewey L’26 take a photo together after running a marathon in Philidelphia.

“Syracuse University has an important role to play in the greater community, and I try to be a positive advocate for that. I have made so many great friends in law school, and I like introducing them to all that our city has to offer, as well as the natural beauty around us. I’m hoping they’ll see it the same way I do,” he says. “In the meantime, I’m going to pursue my interests and take advantage of all that the law school has to offer, while taking the next two years to figure out where my career path might lead. I’ve been lucky to grow up in Syracuse— and grateful to attend Syracuse University and Syracuse Law.”

Luke poses with friends in the College of Law

Syracuse Law Introduces Certificate of Advanced Study in National Security and Counterterrorism Law for JDinteractive Students

The Syracuse University College of Law is proud to announce that the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in National Security and Counterterrorism Law is now available to students enrolled in the hybrid/online JDinteractive program.  Administered through the Institute for Security Policy and Law (SPL), this innovative program offers an interdisciplinary approach to critical issues in national security, counterterrorism, and related fields. 

Man sits at desk and types on his laptop computer, wearing a business suit

The CAS in National Security and Counterterrorism Law offers numerous benefits to students interested in pursuing careers in national security and counterterrorism. The interdisciplinary curriculum spans multiple disciplines, equipping students with the skills to determine applicable legal rules, locate and evaluate research materials specific to national security, and solve security problems requiring cross-disciplinary solutions. The program covers a broad range of subjects, including:

  • National Security: Federal law, international law, operational law, geopolitics, foreign policy, defense strategy, humanitarian interventions, and emerging technologies.
  • Counterterrorism: Legal definitions of terrorism, intelligence collection, surveillance, privacy, prosecution of terrorists, and countering violent extremism.
  • Homeland Security: Civil-military relations, emergency management, disaster response, and immigration law.
  • Cybersecurity: Legal, policy, and technical aspects of cybersecurity, cyber espionage, computer crimes, countering cyber threats, critical infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
  • Humanitarian Law: International law, human rights law, laws of war, refugee law, postconflict reconstruction, special courts, and alternative justice.

Professor Shannon Gardner, associate dean of online education, says “This certificate program underscores our commitment to providing comprehensive and flexible legal education to our JDinteractive students. It equips them with specialized knowledge and skills essential for careers in national security and counterterrorism along with an advanced credential that gives them an advantage in this job market. Syracuse Law continues to lead the way in online legal education, preparing students for the demands of 21st-century lawyering.”

For more information on the Certificate of Advanced Study in National Security and Counterterrorism Law, please visit the SPL website.

Commitment to Service, Interest in International Law Sparks Career Pursuit in Government

Erica Kang working at a table in the café and smiling up at the camera

Erica Sujin Kang L’25 is quick to speak up and doesn’t mind being cold-called in class. For her, that’s all part of the learning experience at the Syracuse University College of Law. Kang hopes those skills will come in handy as she works towards being a lawyer who can speak up for others.

Kang had a successful career before deciding to go to law school. After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in linguistics, she went to South Korea, where she has family, with the intention of serving others through the context of international relations. During this time, she worked as an international relations specialist for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of Korea, providing international relations strategy and working as an advisor to the MOLIT minister and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. Later, she was an external relations assistant translating for the United Nation’s Green Climate Fund (GCF), which serves the Paris Agreement by fighting climate change and investing funds into developing countries.

“Syracuse Law has developed my thinking skills and helped me see the potential of the legal field. And, I draw so much strength from my classmates.”

Erica Sujin Kang L’25

While her career was going well, she had always wanted to attend law school. Kang had seen many lawyers looking to the U.N. for planning and decision making, and she had also been instilled by her father and grandfather (who worked with the president of So. Korea in a role comparable to a mayor in the U.S.) with the importance of public service, She knew studying law would advance her career, and it seemed the time was right.

Erica stands in front of at composite of headshots from an alumni class

Wanting to take the bar exam in New York State, she began researching Syracuse Law. Kang was drawn to its relatively close proximity to New York City and also admired the prestigious faculty and alumni, including President Joseph R. Biden L’68. Kang also noted that Syracuse Law had a strong public service presence through various law clinics and activities, as well as a number of classes on national security law and constitutional law. She applied and received a scholarship, and in 2022 Kang headed back to the U.S. to attend Syracuse Law.

Erica points to President Joe Biden in the composite photos
Erica Kang points to a photo of College of Law alumni President Joseph R. Biden L’68 as she gives a tour of Dineen Hall.

As part of her commitment to service, she became an academic mentor for the Asian-American Pacific Law Student Association—something she really enjoys. “I think we are still a minority at law schools, and I like helping 1L students in particular who can get overwhelmed or need help with study skills,” Kang explains. “I’ve been a 1L, and I understand it can be challenging, so I talk with them and give them a chance to vent out their stress, so they feel supported.”

Kang has taken advantage of not only her classes and on-campus activities but also internships opportunities that further her legal expertise. During the summer after her first year, she was a legal intern at Hiscock Legal Aid Society in Syracuse, New York, learning how to litigate court trials, advocate for clients, provide legal representation and negotiate with opposing counsel. She also worked as a law clerk remotely for the U.S. Department of Commerce with a focus on commercial law development programs in the Asia Pacific Region that help developing nations have an effective international arbitration center for foreign investors.

Kang sitting in the café with another student studying

As she completes her second year at Syracuse Law, Kang has decided she’d like to become a litigation trial lawyer. “I like speaking up in class, and I want to go to court and speak up for my clients,” she says.

This summer, Kang has lined up an internship with the Department of Homeland Security as a trial attorney. She is hopeful that the experience, along with her work with the U.N. and the skills she’s learned at Syracuse Law, will make her an outstanding job candidate after finishing her law degree.

Kang says, “Syracuse Law has developed my thinking skills and helped me see the potential of the legal field. And, I draw so much strength from my classmates,” Kang says.  “I love the law. Being here gives me so much pride.”

Kang walks up the stairs in Dineen Hall

Syracuse Law’s 2024 Outstanding Clinic Team Award and Outstanding Externship Student Award Recipients Honored by the Clinical Legal Education Association

Syracuse Law’s nominations for the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) 2024 Outstanding Clinic Team Award and Outstanding Externship Student Award were recently featured by CLEA on the Clinical Law Prof Blog.

Outstanding Clinic Team: Christopher Foreman L’24 and 3L Chezelle McDade

In the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, the student attorney team of Christopher Foreman L’24 and 3L Chezelle McDade worked together to lead a class of students who submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Van Dermark v. McDonough.

Outstanding Externship Student: Thomas Sheffield L’24

Sheffield demonstrated excellence in his externship placements and seminar components through his efforts in taking placements that specifically focus on public interest and advocacy for underserved or marginalized populations, and through his conscientious attendance, reflection, and participation in the accompanying externship seminars. 

Read more about their accomplishments here.