Around Syracuse Law

Marc Stern L’27 is the CEO of Bessemer Trust, a wealth management firm based in New York City. On any given day he might be meeting with a client in Florida, then jump on a plane to see colleagues in California before heading back East. But, no matter where his work takes him, he is most assuredly spending nights and weekends studying through the Syracuse University College of Law JDinteractive (JDi) program.

“I’m amazed at the breadth and depth of knowledge of my classmates working in fascinating jobs all over the world,” he explains. “It’s a great diversity of individuals in various stages of their careers bringing different life experiences. Everyone who has committed to the JDi program has the clarity of knowing why they are there.

Marc Stern L’27

A graduate of the Wharton School with a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA from the University of Virginia, Stern has worked in management consulting, strategic planning and wealth management for 30-plus years. And, while he’s not ready for retirement, Stern recently began thinking about what he might do next.

“Rather than retire and golf or go to the beach, I want to find a way to make a difference,” he explains. “I’ve always been intrigued by the law. I work with general counsel every day and see the tremendous impact lawyers have with their clear thinking, careful analysis of complex situations and ability to communicate and weigh different perspectives. So, eventually I think I’d like to combine my business experience with the law to do some good.”

Stern is considering two possible retirement strategies—mediation/arbitration or working to assist nonprofits. He’s certain that using his business experience in either of these areas would be enhanced by formal legal training.

“I figured it was now or never,” says Stern, who is the third oldest student in his JDi cohort. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s about my desire to continue to learn, learn, learn.”

He was drawn to Syracuse’s JDi program for the flexibility of live online and asynchronous classes, as well as six required in-person, week-long residencies. “It’s rigorous, challenging and inspiring but also manageable,” he says, noting that he has visited campus twice so far for residencies on Legal Foundations, an introductory boot camp of sorts that all incoming students attend; and Legal Applications, which introduces practical skills like writing legal memos and negotiating settlements.

Stern credits outstanding faculty, like Professor of Law, Nina Kohn, who teaches Tort Law, for the quality of the program. “She’s a force of nature and a remarkable thinker,” he says. “Every minute in class has a purpose. Zoom doesn’t lead to an impersonal experience. You’d better be there, and you’d better be ready because the professor is going to call on you. One of my classmates said, ‘If you don’t come out of there knowing torts, then you weren’t paying attention.’”

The camaraderie among his cohort is another benefit of the JDi program. “I’m amazed at the breadth and depth of knowledge of my classmates working in fascinating jobs all over the world,” he explains. “It’s a great diversity of individuals in various stages of their careers bringing different life experiences. Everyone who has committed to the JDi program has the clarity of knowing why they are there. And, it’s a supportive environment, too, where you might respond in class and someone will write, ‘Good Answer!’ in the Zoom chat.”

Now completing his first year of the hybrid online program, Stern is pleased with his decision to pursue the JDi program.

“You give as much as you get, but don’t think for a minute that ‘hybrid’ means there are any shortcuts. It’s intense work, and you’d better be fully present and prepared,” he says. “I am grateful for the vision that Syracuse Law had a few years back that made this program possible. If the JDi program didn’t exist, I don’t think I could exist in law school. But now, I look forward to seeing where this experience leads me.”

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph Creager L’26 has been interested in the law since taking courses in criminal and constitutional law in high school. But after graduating, he decided to major in graphic design in a traditional college program. It wasn’t for him, so, after working as a freelancer and at a few other jobs, he joined the Army in 2013, serving as an infantryman for his first five years of service.

It was when Creager joined the Army that he started seriously considering his future and what he might like to do after he left the military. In 2018, he reclassed to be an Army paralegal and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from an online program through Colorado Technical University in 2020. Shortly after, he started studying to take the LSATs and apply to law schools. By that time, Creager had moved into a role as a senior paralegal. He knew that his full-time commitment to the Army, along with his responsibilities to his wife and two children would make adding law school a challenge, but he was eager to try. Knowing that his experience with his online bachelor’s degree had been successful, he chose to enroll in the JDinteractive (JDi) program at Syracuse University College of Law.

“The JDi program is flexible. If an active-duty soldier can make it work, I think anyone can,” says Creager, who credits two JAG officers, Maj. Jonathan Womack and Maj. Alexander Hernandez, with encouraging him to pursue his legal ambitions.

He started the program in 2022 while preparing to transfer from Ft. Liberty in North Carolina to Ft. Drum in Upstate New York. In fact, he made the move just 48 hours after his first final exams. “I will say that without this online program, it would be impossible. But, anytime I talk to someone about it, I make a point to emphasize that ‘online’ and ‘flexible’ does not mean ‘easy.’ The JDi program is challenging. You must put in the work if you expect to succeed,” he says.

“It is amazing how many professionals out there are looking to expand their knowledge with a legal education or change careers altogether. I’m glad to be a part of it. Syracuse Law’s JDi program has set the bar high for the future of online legal education.”

Joseph Creager L’26

Creager is completing his course work on a part-time basis, as the JDi program allows students to take as many as seven years to complete their law degrees. At present, Creager is on course to graduate in 2026. And, while he enjoys his classes, he has also attended a number of required in-person residency programs on legal topics at the Syracuse University campus. His favorite has been a residency on trial advocacy presented by Professor of Law Todd Berger, and he also credits Lou Lou Delmarsh, previously the program advisor for JDi (currently the interim director of student experience), and Stephanie Rinko, coordinator for the JDi program, for “making the residencies a great experience.”

He has received final approval to participate in an externship with the Army’s Office of the Special Trial Counsel at Ft. Drum this summer. His hard work has also earned him a place as a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society’s Virtual Advocacy Division.

“I have made some good friends with a variety of experiences throughout this program,” says Creager, who intends to be a practicing attorney one day. “It is amazing how many professionals out there are looking to expand their knowledge with a legal education or change careers altogether. I’m glad to be a part of it. Syracuse Law’s JDi program has set the bar high for the future of online legal education.”