Syracuse University College of Law concluded orientation week activities with the successful addition of nearly 300 new students into the academic community. The incoming class, representing one of the largest enrollments in recent years, includes students from 156 colleges and universities across 17 countries.
Class Profile and Admissions Statistics
The entering classes of 2025 reflect both academic selectivity and professional diversity. From 2,902 applications received for the on-campus J.D. and hybrid JDinteractive programs, the College accepted 973 applicants, representing an acceptance rate of just 33.5 percent. A significant portion of incoming students hold advanced degrees, with many bringing military or veteran experience to their legal studies.
Meet the JDinteractive Class of 2029 Meet the On-Campus J.D. Class of 2028 Meet the LL.M. Class of 2026
“From the first residency in Dineen Hall to orientation week activities and interacting with our outstanding faculty and staff, students quickly connect with their professors, peers, and the resources available to them. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their excitement and confidence as they embark on what will be some of the most important years of their lives, discovering their path in the legal profession and knowing they have a strong foundation to guide them along the way,” says Dean Terence Lau L’98.
JDinteractive Legal Foundations Residency
The JDinteractive cohort completed their mandatory Legal Foundations residency this week, marking their first in-person experience at Dineen Hall before beginning hybrid online coursework. This year’s JDi students include practicing professionals such as healthcare executives, entrepreneurs, military officers, law enforcement personnel, and public officials, including a sitting mayor and a Foreign Service Officer. The diverse professional backgrounds reflect the program’s design to accommodate working professionals seeking legal education.
On-Campus J.D.and LL.M. Orientation Programming
The traditional J.D. program welcomed 171 students, joined by 16 LL.M. candidates and four students in the accelerated J.D. track. The orientation program included academic preparation sessions and introductory coursework designed to prepare students for the rigor of legal education.
Four Alumni Federal Judges Speak on Advocacy
The JDi residency week featured several educational programs, including a judicial panel comprising four Syracuse Law alumni currently serving on the federal bench.
The participating judges were Hon. Thérèse Wiley Dancks L’91, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York; Hon. Robert D. Mariani L’76, U.S. Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; Hon. David E. Peebles L’75, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York; and Hon. Glenn T. Suddaby L’85, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York.
The panel focused on effective advocacy practices and professional development.
130th Convocation Ceremony
The College held its 130th Convocation ceremony on Thursday, with Dean Lau presiding. In his remarks to incoming students, Dean Lau emphasized the institution’s commitment to both academic excellence and community engagement, stating, “You are welcome here. You were chosen not just for your academic achievements, but for what you bring to this community and what you’ll contribute to the profession.”
The convocation address was delivered by Stephanie Jones L’03, Assistant General Counsel for Intellectual Property, Legal Operations, Real Estate, and GM Energy at General Motors Corporation. Jones spoke about professional excellence and ethical responsibility, saying, ““May you show up—fully and brilliantly—in every room you enter. May you lay the foundation for greatness not just in your achievements, but in your interactions. May your words be powerful, but your actions even more so. Honor yourself and consider not only what you will accomplish, but how you will do so.”
Alumni Professional Development Panels
The JDi residency concluded with four professional development panels featuring 14 local alumni, providing students with insights into various legal career paths and practice areas. Panel participants included Larry Bousquet L’80, partner at Bousquet Holstein; Tom Caruso L’14, General Counsel at Mirabito Energy Products and co-founder of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic; and Hon. Ramon Rivera L’94, retired Court of Claims Judge from the NYS Unified Court System.
The panels addressed how legal education translates into professional practice and provided students with networking opportunities within the local legal community.
Beginning the Academic Year
With orientation and residency activities concluded, the students now begin their regular coursework. As classes commence, the incoming students join the broader Syracuse Law community to begin their legal education.