Around Syracuse Law

Syracuse Law Welcomes 100+ JDinteractive Students to the Class of 2029

This fall, Syracuse University College of Law welcomes the incoming JDinteractive (JDi) Class of 2029, a dynamic group of students balancing careers, families, and service to their communities while pursuing their legal education. Representing diverse backgrounds across continents, industries, and life experiences, they bring fresh perspectives to the study and practice of law. Some are boldly shifting careers, others are advancing in their current fields, and many are beginning new chapters after military service or even retirement from unrelated professions. What unites them is a shared commitment to expanding their impact through the power of a legal education.

Our new JDi students came to Dineen Hall in early August to attend their first on-campus residency. The JDi program is a hybrid format that allows students to take classes and participate in other law school programs and activities online, and  requires them to partake in six in-person residencies throughout their legal education, located on campus or in various locations across the country. One of the unique advantages of Syracuse’s JDi program is that students can continue working in their profession from home while earning their law degree.

“This year’s entering JDi class follows our strong tradition of making accessible a legal education to those who cannot pursue a J.D. in a residential program,” says Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Teaching Professor Shannon Gardner.

“Hailing from many different states and countries, with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of professional experiences, this extraordinary group is posed for success in law school and impact on the legal profession. Their drive and work ethic, as they pursue a J.D. while juggling work and family obligations, is a testament to all they can accomplish.”

Students of the Incoming JDinteractive Class of 2029

This year’s JDi cohort consists of 101 students from 25 states and three countries outside the U.S. The average student age is 37, with members ranging from 22 to 68. This highlights the program’s ability to attract accomplished professionals and leaders who bring deep expertise, fresh perspectives, and seasoned judgment to their legal education.

Students join the program from a wide range of sectors, including military and defense, law and legal services, education, healthcare, government and nonprofit work, corporate and finance, law enforcement and security, media and communications, and even fields as diverse as aviation and environmental conservation.

Collectively, they enrich the classroom with the knowledge and skills gained from years of real-world experience, making the JDi learning community as dynamic as the profession they are preparing to enter.

Meet a few members of the incoming JDi class:

Jared Hansbrough L’29

Hometown: Shenandoah, Virginia

Jared Hansbrough served as a U.S. Marine for over 23 years. He spent his military service driving amphibious assault vehicles and finished his service working at the Pentagon. This was followed by six years as the budget officer for one of the operating divisions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Why did you choose Syracuse Law’s JDi program?

“I’ve long held an interest in pursuing a law degree, and the timing finally lined up, thanks, in part, to the Syracuse JDi program. When I began exploring the many law school options, I was fortunate to discover the JDi program. Syracuse Law’s quality of education offered through the blended hybrid of residencies and online instruction and incredible flexibility quickly made the JDi program my first choice.”

What are your goals for your future in the field of law?

“I plan to pursue private practice with a focus on estate planning.”

Jeffrey Hildreth L’29

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Jeffrey Hildreth currently teaches corporate taxation and managerial accounting at the Leventhal School of Accounting at the University of Southern California (USC). He also consults in the mergers and acquisitions space, building on prior leadership roles in mergers and acquisitions tax advisory at both Big 4 and middle-market firms, as well as his experience as a chief financial officer in the out-of-home advertising industry. He and his service dog have traveled across the globe, making his pup an unexpected companion in both academic and professional settings.

Why did you choose Syracuse Law’s JDi program?

“I chose to pursue law to combine my background as a CPA with legal training, particularly to deepen my expertise in navigating complex financial, tax, and cross-border issues. Syracuse’s JDinteractive program stood out for its innovative hybrid structure, which allows me to pursue a rigorous legal education while continuing to teach and consult.”

What are your goals for your future in the field of law?

“I plan to focus on international law with an emphasis on cross-border transactions, tax and corporate advisory work.”

Kame Spencer L’29

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Originally from Haleiwa, Hawaii, Kame Spencer has worked for the Seattle Police Department for the past seven years as a patrol K-9 officer. Being a police officer has encouraged her to keep pursuing her desire to help people through the law — something she has known she wanted to do since she was in high school. When she’s not working, Spencer loves to travel and has visited eight countries in the past two years. She also loves trying her hand at recipes from her favorite cooking shows.

Why did you choose Syracuse Law’s JDi program?

“Syracuse Law offered not only a dynamic platform of specialties in law but also provides a personable and flexible program that wants students to succeed. It’s a program that allows me to complete my law degree while still holding my current job. Attending the residency on campus at the beginning of the program only assured me that I made the right decision.”

What are your goals for your future in the field of law?

“I aspire to practice criminal law, but I am also considering corporate or international law.”

Looking Ahead

As they begin their legal education, this incoming JDinteractive class reflects Syracuse Law’s mission to prepare graduates who lead with purpose, skill, and integrity. We look forward to seeing how they’ll shape the future of law, and the world.

See here for more information on the Syracuse Law’s hybrid online JDinteractive program.

Syracuse Law’s LondonEx Summer Program Celebrates 46 Years of Insight Into U.K. Legal Culture and Practice

What law student wouldn’t jump at the chance to work alongside a barrister with King’s Council (KC) status, an honor bestowed upon only the most experienced lawyers in the U.K.? Or assist judges in the Crown Court system, one of three senior courts in England and Wales?

These are just some examples of recent experiences that students undertook as part of Syracuse University College of Law’s LondonEx program. The  oldest and only program of its kind in the nation — celebrating its 46th year — LondonEx has been offering law students both from Syracuse Law, as well as other ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. and Canada, a summer externship program that is a truly transformational experience.

Group of students in the LondonEx program tours Middle Temple Hall

What Makes LondonEx Unique

While other law schools offer semesters abroad or other international programs, LondonEx is unique in that it offers a fully immersive seven-week program in London. Students participate in tailored externships matched to their interests, gaining hands-on experience in a professional legal setting while refining skills and experiencing an up-close look at another legal system and culture.

“We are exposing law students to the practice of law in a global setting. Working to match their interests with outstanding opportunities, students work alongside — often at workspaces only a few feet apart from barristers, solicitors and judges,” says Andrew Horsfall, study abroad specialist for Syracuse University. “The law students are always pleasantly surprised at what their mentors do for them, when they bring them along to court, put them to work on actual research, provide meaningful feedback, and give them the opportunity to return to law school with written work product and an expanded view of the profession.”

Program Structure

Working with Syracuse Abroad and its London Centre, Faraday House, law students arrive in mid-May to embark upon the seven-week, 5-credit program.

  • Week One: The first week is spent in an intensive orientation that acquaints students with the British legal system through a variety of guest lecturers and cultural activities. They are immediately thrown into “Legal London” to see the Inns of Court and the Royal courts of Justice, often on the first day, in order to build context on the differences between the U.K. and U.S. legal systems before starting their placement experiences.
  • Weeks Two-Seven: Externships are held four days a week for a six-week period with Fridays reserved for learning activities like skills training, networking, negotiation and gaining professional insights from those working in London’s legal system, including Syracuse University alumni.
  • Program Conclusion: The program concludes with students presenting on topics of their choosing around a comparative aspect of law or legal culture they engaged with at their placements.

While the pace is quick, there is still time to soak in the culture of one of the world’s most dynamic cities as students take in a show in the West End, view the architecture of the Palace of Westminster, enjoy fish and chips at an authentic British pub or get a birds eye view of the Thames on the London Eye.

“Our seven-week program goes by very quickly, but its quick pace also allows students to wrap up the experience by early July with time to take on a second externship back in the U.S.— which some do every summer,” says Horsfall.

Group of students in a courtroom in London

Student Perspectives

This past summer, 14 students completed the LondonEx program — seven from Syracuse Law and seven from a mix of other law schools.

Syracuse Law student Eric Boutrous L’27 chose to attend the LondonEx program for the opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience outside the U.S. He was placed under the mentorship of barrister Mark Warwick KC at Selbourne Chambers in the heart of London’s Inns of Court, where he was able to work on a variety of complex real property and civil matters  involving easements, boundary disputes and professional negligence.

“I helped prepare arguments regarding implementing easements and necessity and had the opportunity to contribute research that was used in a court filing,” says Boutrous. “Presenting my work to my peers in the program challenged me to synthesize complex materials and communicate clearly the skills I know will be invaluable in my legal career.”

Boutrous also participated in a mediation session under Warwick’s supervision. “It was fascinating to observe how the parties and their legal teams approached negotiation, particularly in a system where mediation is increasingly encouraged,” he explains, noting he hopes to go into transactional law with a long-term goal of international litigation and arbitration.

Another Syracuse Law student, Kylee Peisher L’27, enjoyed the opportunity to learn a new perspective of the law while also traveling to new places. While in London, she worked for Powell Spencer & Partners Solicitors doing criminal defense work and shadowing barristers and solicitors at trials, sentencings and other steps of the criminal process.

“Before law school, I worked as a paralegal for a criminal defense attorney, so it was so interesting to learn the similarities and differences in the U.S. and U.K.’s approaches to criminal law,” she says, noting that in London she had the opportunity to watch an intense, two-week Crown Court trial from start to finish.

“It was really amazing to finally be able to sit right in the middle of it and experience it first-hand, and it definitely gave me a broader perspective. Overall, I got to see a lot of great advocacy and other lawyering skills during LondonEx that will stay with me as I start my professional career.”

Richard Everett Jr. L’26 joined the group from Creighton University School of Law. He was assigned to a judge at the Inner London Crown Court of His Majesty’s Crown Court, giving him an insightful comparison of how the American and British criminal legal systems differ.

His favorite part of the experience, however, was conferring over lunch with the judges on a daily basis. “This hour provided me with unprecedented access to the Crown Court judges, giving me the opportunity to ask questions about the proceedings I observed on a given day and clarify any points of confusion I may have had.”

After completing law school, Everett, who is currently an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve, will be joining the Navy’s Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corp.

“Syracuse’s LondonEx program has allowed me to observe how the criminal justice system of one of our allies functions,” he explains. “It’s crucial to be as diverse as possible in a global environment, especially when your job can take you anywhere in the world.”

A Lasting Impact

The experience of this year’s LondonEx program, as well as those over the past four decades, have left indelible impressions on the law students who have participated in this unique and up-close experience.

“London itself is a magnetic city full of history, culture and excitement, but that’s just the start of what our LondonEx students experience here as they enjoy unprecedented exposure to the people and places that truly represent a dynamic legal culture and system that is different from what they have been studying in law school,” says Horsfall. “Professionally, it can become  a game changer for many students.”

See more information on Syracuse University College of Law’s LondonEx program. The deadline to apply for Summer 2026 is February 1.

Clerkships Offer Invaluable Learning Option for New Graduates, Foster Relationships with Alumni Judges

While many students who graduate from the Syracuse University College of Law are hired straight into law firms, corporations, government agencies and nonprofits, some choose another route: one or two-year clerkships for state or federal judges. These prestigious roles offer invaluable insight into the innerworkings of courtroom operations and legal decision making and give budding attorneys the opportunity to develop their research and writing skills while working closely with judges.

“There is no better way to understand the legal profession than by securing a clerkship — from learning how decisions are made to seeing how a good lawyer should conduct him or herself in the courtroom,” says Hon. Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., L’64, senior U.S. District Court judge. “And, of course, you’ll be honing your skills in writing, which is key to the practice of law in federal courts.”

Hon. Stewart Aaron L’82, U.S. magistrate judge, Southern District of New York, adds, “Clerks get invaluable experience in how the process works on the court side and how judges go about analyzing cases, managing caseloads and making decisions. Learning how judges think and the practical things they need are invaluable.”

The Pathway to Clerkships

Clerkships offer recent graduates a unique opportunity to work closely with judges who provide mentorship, guidance and insight into the judicial process. At Syracuse Law, the Faculty Clerkship Committee, led by Associate Teaching Professors Laurie Hobart G’16 and Richard Wallach L’06, supports students throughout the highly competitive application process. With clerkships often secured by top-performing graduates, the committee helps students plan and position themselves for success in securing these prestigious roles.

Students typically apply for clerkships in the late spring and summer before their final year of law school. Those in the Class of 2026, for example, who are interested in a clerkship are in the midst of doing so now, according to Dafni Kiritsis L’97, director of externships and career services.

“We hope students will start thinking about clerking opportunities early on, and we are here to help them plan ahead as to what classes to take or the importance of being involved in something like Law Review or another law journal in order to make them stronger candidates,” Kiritsis explains. “Even if you don’t plan to be a litigator, it’s the experience that matters — the chance to work closely with extraordinary legal minds, perfect your writing and research skills, better understand how case law is drafted, and make and forge invaluable professional relationships. It’s some of the best legal training that you can get, and, if you succeed, will greatly benefit your career prospects.”

The Syracuse Advantage: Tapping into the Orange Law Network

Thanks to the strength of the Orange law network, many Syracuse Law graduates have been securing clerkships with judges who also call the College of Law their alma mater. It is a testament to both the alumni loyalty and the caliber of the recent graduates.

“Syracuse Law students have been a great source for me for hiring clerks, and I’ve had terrific experiences with them,” says Scullin. “Any federal district court judge would tell you that law clerks are the essence of your decision making. They pull things together and provide accurate and thorough information. It’s important to have term law clerks, and I’m proud to take them from my alma mater. I think we have an obligation to do that.”

Aaron feels much the same, explaining, “I enjoyed my time at Syracuse Law and feel a connection to the school and its students. Those from Syracuse have a grounding in how things work in not just the theoretical but the practical, which is very important to me as a magistrate judge.”

Another judge who is happy to “hire Orange” is Hon. Rodney Thompson G’93, L’93, a New Jersey Superior Court judge.

“I was exceptionally prepared to enter the practice of law, as the professors, moot court and clinical experiences were top notch. When I became a superior court judge and needed a law clerk, Syracuse was my first and only call,” says Thompson. “While clerking may present what initially appears to be a financial sacrifice, most law clerks actually do better over the long term in terms of preparation and financial stability. After a successful clerkship and a good recommendation from their judges, many law clerks will be rewarded by law firms and government agencies with higher starting salaries.  Syracuse was very good to me in the form of an excellent legal education, made possible by scholarships, and I feel duty bound to pay it forward.”

Clerks at Work

Syracuse Law graduates have clerked across the country and share their perspectives on why the experience was transformative:

Nate Linton headshot in front of a wood background

“I decided to pursue a clerkship because I thought it would be a strong foundation for the start of my legal career. As legal research, analysis and writing in general are critical to the practice of law, a clerkship is ideal in solidifying concepts taught in law school by providing real life experience. Every day, I am exposed to various areas of the law, and I have the opportunity to work with experienced clerks who provide invaluable insight and guidance on how to improve. The skills and knowledge I have acquired so far will be transferable to any practice area of law I decide to pursue.”

–Nate Linton L’24

Currently clerking as a court attorney for the New York Court of Appeals Central Legal Research Staff

Headshot of Emily Pascale

“I was drawn to clerking, particularly for a federal judge, given my interest in constitutional law and love of legal writing. I also knew that a clerkship would allow me to engage with complex legal issues early on in my career. During my clerkship I gained a unique perspective on how judges approach decision making, which has helped me improve my persuasive writing and influences how I present my arguments to a court.”

–Emily Pascale L’23

Clerked for the Hon. William Q. Hayes ‘79, G’83, L’83, United States District judge for the Southern District of California; currently a practicing attorney in healthcare and professional liability defense at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani in Raleigh, North Carolina

Headshot of Zebadayo in front of a gray wall

“Clerking was a great chance to work under a judge and learn more about the court environment behind the scenes. When you work for a judge, your writing and research both improve because of the level of specificity that is required. Also, working with court staff teaches you all the ins-and-outs, and the various deadlines help with time management and triaging.”

–Zebedayo Masongo L’22

Clerked for the Hon. Rodney Thompson G’93, L’93, New Jersey Superior Court judge; currently deputy attorney general, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

Headshot of Lotta Lampela in front of a gray wall

“I love to research and write, so a clerkship seemed like the ideal placement to keep practicing those skills. It was a personal challenge, and I wanted to show myself that I could do it, despite a background in a civil law system. I have only positives to report, and I have learned so much, both about the American legal system in practice and this state (Vermont) in general. Thanks to the clerkship, I’ve become familiar with all the areas of law, including those I did not study in my LL.M. program, and thus it has prepared me for practicing law here. The judges are willing to guide you forward and also provide recommendations, and, I know that a clerkship can open doors further down the road.”

–Lotta Lampela L’23, (LL.M.)

Currently clerking for three judges and covering all dockets for the Vermont Superior Court

NASCAR Internship Puts 3L on the Right Track to Career in Sports Law

A lifelong NASCAR fan, Jenna Mazza L’26 has a photo of herself at age 4 standing with legendary driver Jimmie Johnson’s diecast car. So, imagine her elation when she had the opportunity to take a photograph with Johnson himself this May at the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Jenna at age 4, standing with legendary driver Jimmie Johnson’s diecast car.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is just one of the many benefits that came along as Mazza spent her summer working in NASCAR’s legal department in Charlotte, North Carolina. NASCAR’s Internship Program includes opportunities for law students to learn about various areas that its legal department deals with daily. Mazza had the opportunity to learn about and draft contracts for licensing agreements, real estate issues with various racetracks, intellectual property (IP) use, privacy and media law.  During her internship, Mazza was also able to attend a screening of American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans, which began streaming on Amazon Prime in June, while learning about rights and clearances and music licensing.

Jenna smiles with Jimmie Johnson in May of 2025 at the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“I’ve learned so much and gotten exposure to the variety of work a legal department undertakes in a sports environment,” says Mazza, who will be a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law this fall.

Mazza has long had her sights on working in sports law with a particular interest in areas related to IP, like copyrights, trademarks and licensing of team logos. And while she’d be thrilled to build a career with any sports organization, the opportunity to work with NASCAR was a dream come true. Not only did she gain legal experience, but this NASCAR fan also enjoyed the chance to be right where the action is — going into the pits and the infield, and attending not only the Coca-Cola 600 but also the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race and the developmental Arca Menards Series for prospective drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Jenna and her fellow Intern Group in Victory Lane at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The internship program really immerses you into all aspects of NASCAR and makes it a great experience for the interns, not only in terms of preparing you for what it’s like to work as a general counsel in a sports organization but also to get a first-hand look at the innerworkings of the sport itself,” she says.

While her knowledge of NASCAR may have helped her secure this prestigious internship, the lessons learned at Syracuse Law, particularly classes she took as a 2L, provided her with the baseline legal knowledge in areas like intellectual property law and sports law that she believes also gave her a competitive edge.

Mazza adds the NASCAR internship to a list of other experiential learning opportunities she has had while at Syracuse Law, including working on two Congressional campaigns, an internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and another internship for the Oneida County (NY) Public Defenders Office.

As she returns to Syracuse Law to complete her degree, she hopes to use her hard-earned legal experience with some type of sports organization or a law firm that specializes in sports law after graduation. However, she can’t help but to hope to eventually return to work for NASCAR.

“My internship at NASCAR has shown me that anything is possible, just as in this sport, where you can start from the back of the grid and still win the race,” she says. “The skills I’ve learned and the opportunity to be where the action is on the track are experiences I’ll never forget. And it’s very exciting to imagine what might be ahead for me.”

Jenna stands in front of the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

From Cheering in the Dome to Interning in the Nation’s Capital, Lela Lanier L’26 Is Making the Most of Her Syracuse Law Experience

Whether she’s cheering for the Orange in the JMA Wireless Dome or spending her summer interning at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) in the nation’s capital, Lela Lanier L’26 is making the most of the resources and opportunities available to her through the Syracuse University College of Law.

When Lanier decided to attend law school, she knew she wanted to go somewhere she could pursue her interests in advocating for those with disabilities, take on topics related to civil rights and also continue her passion for cheerleading. While that might sound like a tall order, she found her place at Syracuse Law.

Lela Lanier sits in front of an LDF sign that is full of books in the lobby of the NAACP

A rising 3L, Lanier worked at the LDF this summer in Washington, D.C., as a litigation intern. This gave her a chance to focus on impact litigation around issues of civil rights that ranged from racial injustice, economic injustice, voting participation, criminal justice and desegregation.

Two specific projects assigned to her during the LDF internship focused on researching the reproductive freedom and the rights of Black women and also desegregation in education examining disciplinary action that disproportionately targets Black students.

“The work was so fulfilling, and I was proud to be a part of it. I thrived off of the passion of the attorneys at the LDF, most of whom were people of color working for the betterment of our community. I could see their passion and goals of helping people, and it was so refreshing,” she says. “There are a lot of civil liberties in question right now, but I am proud to have contributed and was fortunate to have so many opportunities tailored to the kind of work I want to do in the future. It was just an incredible experience for me overall.”

As she prepares to return to campus at the end of the summer break, Lanier will gear up not only for her final year of law school but also her last year as a member of the Syracuse University cheer team. While few law students take part in Syracuse athletics, Lanier has cheered throughout her time at the College of Law and will complete her last year of eligibility during the 2025-26 academic year. She has been involved in competitive cheerleading since high school, participating at Towson University, where she majored in deaf studies, volunteered with Deaf and Deaf Blind communities and developed her passion for disability rights.

“When I started law school, my plan was to take advantage of every opportunity I was given, and I think I’ve done a good job of that,” she says. “I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and struck a good balance with my coursework and various co-curricular activities, while showing others it’s possible to take advantage of all that Syracuse Law has to offer and still pursue a law degree.”

In addition to cheerleading, those co-curricular opportunities include serving as the incoming vice president for the Black Law Students Association; a student outreach coordinator for the Disabled Law Student Association; a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society; and the incoming editor-in-chief of the Journal of Global Rights and Organizations, for which she is working on a paper about accessibility to voting rights in Nigeria. Last summer, she also completed an internship with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund in San Francisco, where she saw first-hand the impact of litigation through some groundbreaking cases.

These experiences, along with her classes at the College of Law,  have expanded her world view on the scope of disability law. “I think my professors have been so instrumental in how I’m learning law and in explaining the fantastic history of constitutional law,” Lanier says. “It’s important that people understand that we, as Americans, have a lot of protections that have been put into place, but right now many are at risk of being taken away.”

In addition, Lanier is eager to explore her options when it comes to her legal career.

Lela Lanier stands while holding a book and wearing a black suit at her NAACP internship

“Right now, I’m open to all possibilities. I want to go into some kind of disability law and/or civil rights law for a nonprofit— but then maybe it will be civil litigation. I’m just looking forward to soaking in everything I can during my last year here, and I’m so appreciative for all the opportunities Syracuse has afforded me,” she says. “When we receive our degrees at graduation next May, you can be sure I’ll be the one cheering for each and every classmate as they cross that finish line alongside me.”

Student Veteran Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 Honored as a Tillman Scholar

“Now what am I supposed to do with my life?” Veterans often face this question as they transition from active duty to civilian life. The thought terrified U.S. Marine Corps veteran Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 when he contemplated his future in the spring of 2019.

Today, Ruscitto is a two-time Syracuse graduate and a rising second-year law student in the College of Law.

3L Serves as Co-President of Disability Law Society, Aims for Career in National Security Law in D.C.

A 3L at Syracuse University College of Law, Kaitlin Sommer L’26 is always planning ahead. Throughout her life, she has continuously asked herself, “Is there a better or more efficient way to do this?”, “Am I advocating for what I need?”, “How can I figure this out by myself?” And, while this way of operating is a great skillset for any lawyer, Sommer has developed this method out of necessity and independence, as she navigates the world as a wheelchair user, as well as a child of Deaf adults (CODA).

Sommer attended Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as a political science major for her undergraduate degree as part of a 3+3 program with Syracuse Law, which allows students to transfer from RIT to the Law School after three years to finish their bachelor’s degree and at the same time start studying law.

As she prepares for her last year at Syracuse Law, Sommer has taken full advantage of many of the opportunities that come from being a law student—attending the Ms. JD Fall 2024 Leadership Academy Intensive hosted by the Harvard Women’s Law Association at Harvard Law School, and presenting at her alma mater’s third annual Together RIT: A Day of Dialogue centered on the theme of Deaf culture, disability and neurodiversity in her first ever public speaking appearance.

In January, Sommer added another responsibility to her already busy schedule: co-president of the Disability Law Society (DLS) at Syracuse Law, a position she shares with Emely Recinos L’26. The organization serves as a community for students with disabilities and their allies at Syracuse Law, while also raising awareness and providing related information across the greater University.

“This is a new venture that I’m really excited about. We are a small group of students at Syracuse Law, and it’s important that we have our voices heard,” she says, noting that only about 1.4% of lawyers in the U.S. self-identify as having a disability according to the American Bar Association. “Emely, who also has a disability, and I have a new take, which revolves around being more vocal about disabled students’ experiences and how the University can best support us. I want the Disability Law Society to see where we can set permanent roots and have a noticeable space to make our voices heard. And, of course, having this kind of community at the Law School has helped me to know that I’m not alone.”

When Sommer started at Syracuse Law, it seemed to make sense that she go into disability law, but some great advice from Professor of Law Katherine Macfarlane, a leading expert on civil rights litigation, disability law, and civil procedure, gave her the freedom to consider other areas, as well.

“Professor Macfarlane said that just because I’m a person with a disability doesn’t mean I have to go into disability law,” Sommer explains. “She made me see that being a disabled person in any legal space is also representative, and my personal experience will make me a better professional no matter which field of law I choose. She has been such a good mentor and support system for me and has encouraged me to advocate for what I want and need.”

Now, Sommer is very interested in pursuing national security law, while possibly finding a way to intersect that with disability law, too. She has since taken courses through Syracuse Law’s National Security Program and is working on her Certificate of Advanced Study in National Security and Counterterrorism.

Her hope is to live and work in Washington, D.C., in the future. As an undergraduate, she interned for Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY) in the nation’s capital. Sommer recently completed an intern at the POPVOX Foundation, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for improvements in Congress. And, this summer, she is interning with The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm, PLLC, in Washington, D.C. Despite these impressive opportunities, she is eager to learn more through her coursework and seek out other experiences to prepare to graduate from Syracuse Law in 2026.

Kaitlin Sommer leafs through a book and looks at the pages, wearing a black dress

“Having a disability does make things harder, but, at the end of the day, I’m so grateful. My own life experiences, along with lessons from the Law School, like critical thinking, have really helped me see how important it is to assess facts to see if what seems to be true really is true. This has made me a more open-minded person and will make me a better lawyer, too,” she says.

“After all, I never want people to make assumptions about me just because I use a wheelchair. I hope to be a positive example of a compassionate and knowledgeable disabled lawyer who can better connect with my work through my life experiences, and Syracuse Law is helping me get there.”

Syracuse University Volunteer of the Year: Giving Back Strengthens our Alma Mater and Our Profession

What happens when the person who is usually giving out awards gets selected to receive one?

“It was a surprise. I don’t think of myself as a volunteer. Working with students and giving back is just what we do as attorneys. It was very kind of the Alumni Association and I am truly honored to be the recipient,” said Kim Wolf Price L’03.

Kim Wolf Price Headshot wearing a gray suit

Wolf Price received the 2025 Syracuse University Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is given in “the greatest expression of appreciation for alumni who have devoted themselves to long-term and consistent volunteerism and service to Syracuse University.” The Syracuse University Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Engagement presents the award annually.

Wolf Price frequently visits Dineen Hall as a guest speaker or panelist for Youth Law Day, Girls Rule the Law Day, Admitted Student Days, Orientation, and state and local bar association events.

In addition, Wolf Price often speaks with current Syracuse Law students and recent alums, hosts Syracuse University’s Pre-law Society for tours, and makes connections for other programs at Bond, Schoeneck, and King where she is the Chief Strategy Officer.

“We try to make connections at Bond with Syracuse University in many ways. Of course we are engaged at the law school, but we also have connections with Whitman, IVMF and other parts of campus as well,” she says. “The firm also hires a lot of College of Law graduates. But we don’t just work with the students we might hire. I get calls from students or young alums who have questions about their career path, want to network, and are seeking advice from me or someone else at the firm frequently.”

Being a volunteer with Syracuse University comes naturally to Wolf Price. “I am very lucky. I am the first in my family to get a bachelor’s degree (from Colgate University) and the first J.D. I got a full ride from Syracuse, and it opened entirely new career opportunities for me. I want to make sure I can pay that forward. It’s second nature to be involved in projects that affect the current law students and the undergrads,” says Wolf Price.

After graduating from Syracuse Law, Wolf Price and her husband Fred (who met on the first day of law school) ventured to New York City to start their legal careers. Later, they returned to Syracuse with Fred going to Bond as an attorney and Wolf Price landing at her alma mater in the Career Services department. She held several senior leadership roles, reaching Assistant Dean for Career Services, until returning to private practice at Bond in 2020.

One of her accomplishments at the College of Law was being the co-founder (along with Professor Lauryn Gouldin) of the Syracuse Civics Initiative. The Syracuse Civics Initiative develops community-facing civics education programming in partnership with other departments at the University, local judges and attorneys, and community organizations that support civics education.

Wolf Price has very simple advice for any alum looking to get involved with the University. “Every little bit matters. Even if it’s a mock interview with a student, you get just as much back as you have given. It strengthens our community, our institution and our profession,” she says.

“I realized how each of us can impact other people with small actions. If we take a few minutes to answer those questions that a student might have or take part in a panel discussion, speak in a class because you may have a certain knowledge base that’s helpful, you can make a big difference. It doesn’t take as much time as you think it does.”

During her comments at the Alumni Awards ceremony, she said, “This is an honor I am deeply grateful for it. I am not great at receiving awards, probably better at giving them but thank you very much I am deeply humbled.”

Professor Nina Kohn Serves as Reporter for Two Uniform Acts

Syracuse University College of Law’s Distinguished Professor Nina Kohn is helping to create “gold standard” legislation on some of the most important issues facing older adults and individuals with cognitive disabilities.. Based on her legal expertise, including in the area of elder law, Kohn, the David M. Levy L’48 Professor of Law and newly named Distinguished Professor, has worked closely with the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) to create model legislation for the states.

Kohn has been selected not once, but twice, to serve as a reporter for the ULC. The first act she worked on with the ULC was the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act (UGCOPPA), which the ULC describes as a “comprehensive guardianship statute for the 21st century” that encourages person-centered guardianship reform, including promoting less restrictive alternatives to guardianship. The second act was the Uniform Health-Care Decision Act (UHCDA), a model law governing advance directives and healthcare decision-making for patients without surrogates.

Since joining the College of Law faculty in 2005, Kohn has been an active teacher and prolific scholar. Her research addresses a variety of legal topics associated with elder law, including age discrimination, family caregiving, elder abuse, and supported and surrogate decision making. She is also the author of the leading casebook on elder law. In addition, Kohn has taught on elder law, family law, trusts and estates, torts, and an interdisciplinary gerontology course. She has also served in a variety of public service roles for organizations such as the American Bar Association, the American Law Institute, and the Association of American Law Schools.

However, one of the highlights of her impressive career to date is being selected twice to be a reporter for the ULC, something she calls “the biggest compliment.”

“It’s hard to say ‘no’ when legislators are saying, ‘We’re interested in making our laws better. Can you help us?” she states. “It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to make a difference and see states improve their laws to make life better for families, patients, and health care providers.

“Being a reporter is part mediator and part editor, as you listen to and try to align the interests of diverse groups and commissioners,” says Kohn, noting that most states do not have the bandwidth to write this type of model law on their own. “Your function as a reporter is to enable a very deliberative, expert-informed, non-partisan approach that integrates various viewpoints and experiences into a model law that is as good as it can be.”

According to Kohn, the ULC model laws give states a solid, consistent starting point, which they may modify to suit their specific needs, budgets, or priorities. The details of the final laws are up to the individual state legislatures.

Kohn finds satisfaction in some recent successes in enacting the acts she has worked on. Consistent with the bipartisan nature of the acts, the UHCDA has been adopted into law in Delaware, a blue state, and Utah, a red state, in partisan efforts that will be beneficial to many. In addition, the UGCOPPA has been adopted in Maine, a blue state; the state of Washington, also a blue state; and Kansas, a red state.

She also believes that her expertise as a reporter has made her a better professor, as she is able to share with her students first-hand knowledge of cutting-edge legal debates and how the law is progressing on a state-by-state basis. Kohn reports that this work has also made her more sensitive about statutory drafting issues, and she has consequently spent more time in the classroom helping her students interpret, critique, and draft statutory language. She also says it has encouraged her to help students appreciate that even when people initially come at an issue from opposite viewpoints, there is often plenty of common ground to be discovered.

The work of a reporter can go on for years, but Kohn is prepared to stick with it in the hopes of seeing the two model laws enacted in as many states as possible.

“It’s hard to say ‘no’ when legislators are saying, ‘We’re interested in making our laws better. Can you help us?” she states. “It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to make a difference and see states improve their laws to make life better for families, patients, and health care providers. This process is an example of how we can work together in a partisan age, and it’s a source of pride to know that my work is helping to bridge differences and improve the law.”

Class of ’25 College of Law Graduate to be Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame

A runner for most of her life, Marla Runyan L’25 crossed yet another finish line when she walked the stage in May to accept her diploma from the Syracuse University College of Law. While this was quite an achievement, she is no stranger to hard work and success. Legally blind, Runyan has literally crossed hundreds of finish lines while competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in track and field. This month (July 2025), she will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Hall of Fame alongside such other greats as tennis phenom Serena Williams, gymnast Gabby Douglas, skier Bode Miller and basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

At age 9, Runyan lost much of her vision to Stargardt’s disease, but this never stopped her from participating in athletics, eventually competing in track and field at San Diego State University, where she received her undergraduate degree in education of the deaf and a master’s degree in education of deaf/blind children. (She also earned a second master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in special education, vision impairment.) Runyan competed in the 1992 Barcelona and the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, winning five gold medals and one silver. After setting world records in the T13 classification in every event from the 100-meters to the marathon, Runyan stepped away from para athletics and set her sights on making the U.S. Olympic Team. 

“After 1996, for me it was the Olympics or nothing,” Runyan explains, noting that she did not require a guide runner when racing. “I needed to compete in an environment where the expectation was that I was just like anyone else, competing and training with the best athletes in the world.”

And she did just that. The only legally blind U.S. athlete to qualify and compete in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games, Runyan represented the U.S. in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney in the women’s 1,500 meters and in the 2004 Olympics in Athens in the women’s 5,000 meters.


“For much of my life, I felt I had to prove a point— that disability does not preclude excellence.” she explains. “Earning a spot on two U.S. Olympic teams was the realization of a lifelong dream, but it also gave me a platform to change perceptions and attitudes about what is possible.”


In addition to her Olympic success, Runyan also was the top American female finisher in the New York City (2002), Boston (2003) and Chicago (2004) marathons finishing fourth, fifth, and seventh in the professional women’s field for those events, respectively. She was also the National Champion at 5000-meters from 2001- 2003.

Marla Runyan at the 2000 USATF Olympic Trials in Sacramento,CA
Photo: Victah@Photo Run


Runyan retired as a professional athlete in 2008, but her passion for equity and access carried through to her next chapter, which included working in digital accessibility at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston; as a para athlete and accessibility manager for the Boston Athletic Association, where she created a  new competitive division for para athletes in the Boston Marathon, as assistant director of digital accessibility at Syracuse University; and in her current role as accessibility policy and procurement strategist in the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Her impetus to go to law school stemmed from her advocacy work for individuals with disabilities and her passion for sport equity. “Despite what I have accomplished in my lifetime, as a woman and a woman with a disability, I have felt underestimated in the work force, and for me to get things done I knew I had to be over-accomplished just to have the same opportunities, so I decided  a law degree would support me in that endeavor,” she explains.

While Runyan was accepted at another law school in the Boston area where she lives, it was a full-time residential program that would have forced her to give up her job and sacrifice time with family. Syracuse’s JDinteractive (JDi) program was a much better fit for her, as its year-round hybrid program allowed her to spread out the online coursework and balance her career and time with her daughter.

And while law school came with challenges, this Olympian made it work.

“When you are a person with a disability, you become a constant problem solver because no environment you’re operating in is designed for you,” she says. “You have to have strategies in how to negotiate and not only participate but excel in life. There’s a difference between showing up and being excellent in what you do. I had no plans to just show up!”

Tackling law school as someone with vision loss meant having a deeper understanding of the materials than her sighted classmates, who could quickly refer to their notes.

“I had to know facts and holdings backwards and forwards and not be dependent on visuals, and that’s a very tall order when you’ve got 15 case briefs to remember for each class,” Runyan explains, “but I created my own short hand, key words and prompts to spur memories of the case or the main takeaways. I thought of every case as a story, and I’ve applied what I’ve done throughout my life in terms of persevering and problem solving to make it through.”

Runyan especially enjoyed the JDi program’s residencies, where she was able to meet faculty and members of her cohort in person. When she attended the Foundation Skills residency on the Syracuse Law campus, she got to know Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Teaching Professor Shannon Gardner, whose “style of interaction was really respectful of all students,” Runyan says. “I felt she was a very important part of my law school experience and that she deeply cared for us and wanted us to do well.”

Runyan started using what she learned in law school in her own work right away, drafting policy and contract language to support digital access for users of assistive technology across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

While she’s not currently practicing law, she is “leaving the door wide open.”

“Don’t count me out,” says Runyan, who will be taking the Massachusetts Bar Exam next February. “The J.D. degree has opened up so many opportunities. Anything is possible.”