3L Iris Guzman and 2L Nikolaus Merz prevailed over 3L Rachel Wallisky and 2L John Rutecki in the 46th Annual Lionel O. Grossman Trial Competition. Rutecki was named Best Advocate.
The final round was judged by the Hon. John F. Boyd II L’16 (Manlius, NY Town Judge), Diana G. Rogatch G’21, L’21 (Associate, Bousquet Holstein PLLC), and the Hon. Jean Marie Westlake L’01 (New York State Supreme Court Justice, 5th Judicial District).
Professor Greg Germain recently spoke with Newsweek about the gag order issued to Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.
Germain said, “apart from making comments outside of court, Trump could face ‘direct criminal contempt’ proceedings while appearing in person at the Daniels trial.”
“If Trump did not control himself in court, for example, if he insulted the judge in court, the judge could hold him in direct contempt and put him in jail for a few days or something like that,” said Germain.
Germain added that, in addition to direct and indirect criminal contempt of court, Trump could also face civil contempt proceedings.
“Civil contempt is to force future compliance with an order. If Trump was ordered to do something, like turn over his passport or testify, and refused, he could be put in jail until he agreed to comply,” he said.
Syracuse University College of Law was recognized in the Spring 2024 edition of preLaw Magazine in their Best Law Schools for Practical Training. Based on preLaw’s methodology, the College of Law received a B+ rating.
The rankings consider clinics, pro bono, externships, simulation courses, moot court, and other practical training such as legal communication and research courses.
The College of Law offers six legal clinics (with a seventh, the Housing Clinic, starting in Fall 2024) and many opportunities to participate in intracollegiate and intercollegiate moot court competitions through the Advocacy Honor Society. Students can further specialize in advocacy through our joint J.D./LL.M. in Advocacy and Litigation which provides a focused advanced degree option for those interested in a career in litigation or advocacy.
The Office of Career Services collaborates with local attorneys who perform public interest work to provide pro bono opportunities to students and to serve the community and works with students to secure externships around the country tailored to their individual career goals. Likewise, students have many experiential learning opportunities to choose from that provide practical training for careers in law.
In the Spring 2024 preLaw Magazine, Syracuse University College of Law’s JDinteractive Program was recognized as one of the best online J.D. programs.
The magazine also spoke with Associate Dean for Online Education Shannon Gardner, who highlighted JDinteractive’s unique in-person residencies.
In each residency, students will engage with classmates through a condensed in-person class complemented by social and networking events. The collaborative nature of the residency programming encourages teamwork and enhances the learning experience and growth toward your career. Plus, Orange alumni who are leaders in their fields are lecturers and hosts at locations worldwide.
“For example, Holland & Knight partner and alumnus Richard Furey taught an asset financing course in New York City last August,” Gardner said. “Our dean has expertise in international taxation and hosts a course every other year in Geneva, Switzerland, on international tax law.”
As the legal profession continues to evolve, JDinteractive remains at the forefront, preparing students to excel in their careers with a comprehensive and innovative approach to legal education.
Dana Krinsky L’25
The Brooklyn Nets, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) Global, Brooklyn, New York
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Dana Krinsky L’25 practically grew up in New York City. While her parents relocated their family to Georgia and she later attended Georgia Southern University, she always planned on moving back north later in life.
In college, Krinsky’s passion for the sports industry ignited as she earned a dual degree in Sports Marketing and Sales. The allure of a career in sports led her to a role at a promotional merchandising and marketing company, where she swiftly ascended the ranks, ultimately managing the sponsorship business for the Truist Bank partnership with major league teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Braves, and Atlanta United.
“The legal team at BSE really encourages a hands-on approach to gaining practical experience. The mentorship provided by Jeff and his team is invaluable.”
Dana Krinsky L’25
Krinsky worked for four years before choosing to enroll in law school to pursue a career working in-house for a major league team. She opted to attend Syracuse Law to earn her license in the state where she planned to later practice law, and because of its Sports and Entertainment Law concentration.
Aligning with her passion for sports, Krinsky is on the Executive Board of the Entertainment & Sports Law Society and a member of the Sports Arbitration & Negotiation Team within the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society (AHS). She competed at Tulane’s International Baseball Arbitration Competition, New York Law School’s Soccer Negotiation Competition, and Syracuse’s Sports Law Negotiation Competition, where she reached the semi-finals to qualify for early membership to the Alternative Dispute Resolution division of AHS. Next year, she will serve on the AHS Executive Board as the Director for the Entertainment & Sports Law Division and Competition. Currently an Associate Editor for Syracuse Law’s Journal of International Law and Commerce, Krinsky will take the position of Lead Articles Editor for next year’s Executive Board.
In addition to her commitments in law school, Krinsky worked as a Legal Extern in the Syracuse University Athletic Compliance Office last year. Realizing the value of practical experience alongside legal education, she yearned for more opportunities to immerse herself in the dynamic intersection of law and sports. She chose to apply for the externship with BSE Global in Brooklyn, New York to gain more experience, make connections in the city, and receive a full semester of credits while working simultaneously.
BSE Global is the parent company of Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Liberty, NBA G League team the Long Island Nets, and NBA 2K League affiliate NetsGC. The position reports directly to Jeff Gewirtz, Executive Vice President of Business Affairs & Chief Legal Officer at BSE Global.
“Being able to work for this company,” Krinsky says, “In the city, I’ve dreamt about returning to, and for a professional sports team, is absolutely surreal. My externship began in February, and I can’t even begin to describe how much I’ve learned already.” Krinsky’s responsibilities at BSE Global include conducting legal research and drafting memoranda related to sports, media, privacy, intellectual property, contracts, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, tax, and employment matters. “The legal team at BSE really encourages a hands-on approach to gaining practical experience. The mentorship provided by Jeff and his team is invaluable.”
As she launches her legal career, Krinsky plans to work at a law firm. She believes that the in-house legal experience she is gaining through her externship will provide her with a unique understanding of how to best serve her clients when the time comes.
Noting her thanks to the alumni who donate to the Externship Opportunity Fund, she is appreciative of the opportunity to live out her dream, explaining that their “kindness in supporting Syracuse students like myself helped to lay a strong foundation at the outset of my legal career.”
Professor Gregory Germain spoke with the Associated Press for their story, “When will Trump pay his $175 million appeals bond? Here’s what’s next in his civil fraud case.”
In discussing bond terms, Germain says “The bonding company is not going to put up a bond unless they’re assured that they’re going to get paid back if they have to pay.”
(Syracuse, NY – March 27, 2024) The Tully Rinckey Foundation, the philanthropic initiative of Tully Rinckey PLLC, has selected 1L Tiffany Johnson and 3L Andrew Patterson as the inaugural recipients of the Foundation’s Military Scholarships. The scholarship rewards College of Law students who have or are serving in the military or reserves.
Johnson is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, the 1L Representative to the College’s Military & Veterans Law Society, and a Staff Writer for Impunity Watch News, the media branch of the College of Law’s Journal of Global Rights & Organizations.
“I am honored and grateful to accept the scholarship from Tully Rinckey. As a first-year law student balancing active military service, I am committed to excelling in my studies and representing the values of both the military and the legal profession with integrity and dedication. Thank you once again for this invaluable opportunity,” says Johnson.
Graig Cortelyou, Global Chief Operating Officer of Tully Rinckey noted that Johnson was selected due to “her plans to use her legal accomplishments to address broader social issues impacting veterans and their families. She plans to participate as a student attorney in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic in her second year, advocating for the military community. Her background as both a civil service employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a U.S. Navy Reservist not only motivates her but also makes her suited to strengthening her commitment to the military community.”
Patterson, a former U.S. Army Captain, is a Student Attorney in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, a Member of the Military and Veterans Law Society, and a current VA work-study student.
“The scholarship validates the hard work being done by myself, the staff, and other student-attorneys at the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic. My application was honest, and I feel satisfaction that it was selected among a highly qualified field of applicants. I am especially proud to be among the first recipients of the Tully Rinckey Foundation Military scholarship and I intend to pay it forward with continued support of my fellow Veterans. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Tully Rinckey Foundation for their continued support of legal education in the Veteran community. Thank you,” says Patterson.
“Andrew discovered firsthand the positive outcomes that are generated when veterans understand the underlying process of accessing the benefits they have rightfully earned. Following service in Afghanistan as a Lieutenant, and as a Captain in the Army Reserve, he aims to become an accredited Veteran Service Officer and help his fellow troops work through trauma together,” says Mathew Tully, Founding Partner of Tully Rinckey.
The Tully Rinckey Foundation plans to add other New York state law schools to the scholarship program, further emphasizing their commitment to veterans.
“Our firm believes our service extends beyond the courtroom and into the communities where we work. Supporting the military, veterans, and their families is an important cause that Tully Rinckey backs in many ways, including the Military Scholarship,” says Mathew Tully. “We are honored and humbled to review the stellar applications from the College of Law students, and it was difficult to select two recipients. Tiffany and Andrew are leaders who will make an impact on the legal profession and our society.”
Among Tully Rinckey’s veteran-focused outreach programs are sponsorship of the annual Veterans in Economic Transition Conference (VETCON) in Albany, N.Y., and Turkeys for Veterans where they partner with local supermarkets throughout New York State to give free turkeys to veterans during the holiday season. The College of Law is a partner in the distribution of Turkeys for Veterans in Syracuse.
“The College of Law thanks the Tully Rinckey Foundation for their support of our military and veteran students. Tiffany and Andrew are well-deserving recipients who are actively engaged in the local veteran community and will continue to give back to veterans after law school,” says Professor Beth Kubala, executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic.
The Syracuse University College of Law is adding a Housing Clinic to its clinical legal education offerings beginning in the Fall 2024 semester.
The Housing Clinic will operate in partnership with Legal Services of Central New York and the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York to provide representation to low-income tenants in eviction, housing conditions, and other rental housing-related matters. Students in the clinic, working under the supervision of clinic director Professor Gary Pieples, will handle all aspects of clients’ cases, including interviewing and counseling, investigation, negotiation, pleading and motion practice, courtroom advocacy, and real estate procedure.
“The Housing Clinic will bring much-needed representation to an underserved population dealing with profound living condition issues,” says Dean Craig M. Boise. “At the same time, our students will be gaining practical legal skills essential to a legal career and a priority in the College of Law curriculum.”
“Housing cases move quickly and are tried almost immediately, providing students with multiple opportunities during the semester to see a case through to resolution—from the initial interview and filing of motions to settlement or trial, including appearing in Syracuse City Court,” says Pieples. “The Housing Clinic also provides students another opportunity to explore public interest law as a career.”
The Housing Clinic is underwritten by a grant from Legal Services of Central New York and the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, which received additional New York State funding under the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act.
The College of Law now offers students a choice of seven legal clinics: the Bankruptcy Clinic, the Betty & Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, the Criminal Defense Clinic, the Disability Rights Clinic, the Housing Clinic, the Sherman F. Levey ’57, L’59 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and the Transactional Law Clinic.
(Syracuse, NY – March 18, 2024) Syracuse University College of Law has hired constitutional and international law scholar Leigha Crout as Associate Professor of Law. Starting in Fall 2024, she will teach Constitutional Law, Torts, and other courses.
Crout is currently a Rule of Law Fellowship at the Neukom Center for the Rule of Law at Stanford Law School. She has also held academic positions at the University of Wisconsin School of Law (William H. Hastie Fellow), Columbia Law School (visiting scholar), University of Oxford’s China, Law, and Development Project (research associate), Peking University (Senior C.V. Star Lecturer at the School of Transnational Law), and the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide (research and advocacy assistant.)
Her primary research is focused on Constitutional Law, Participation & Resistance, and International Law & Transnational Legal Networks (including the Legal Profession & Transnational Networks of Resistance and Authoritarianism, Private International Law & Human Rights.)
“Professor Crout brings a deep knowledge of constitutional law and international law to our law school. She examines law and constitutions comparatively to better understand threats to democracy and the rise of authoritarianism,” says Dean Craig M. Boise. “I believe our students will find her perspectives engaging and thought-provoking as she brings a timely teaching and research focus to Syracuse Law.”
She has the article “The Consent of the Governed: Resistance as Constituent Power” forthcoming in the Washington Law Review. Crout has previously published articles in the Asian Comparative Law Journal, Asian Law Bulletin, Indiana International and Comparative Law Review, and the Notre Dame Journal of International and Comparative Law.
“The College of Law has a stellar reputation in the fields of constitutional law, international, law, and human rights law. I look forward to joining the esteemed faculty and thought-leaders in these areas and engaging with students who are passionate about these areas of law,” says Crout.
Crout received a B.S. in public policy and a B.A. in history from the University of Charleston, a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, an LL.M. in civil and international human rights law from the University of Notre Dame Law School Klau Center, and a master’s in international development from Cornell University. Crout is a Ph.D. candidate at King’s College London.
Crout is admitted to the Illinois State Bar.
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 manages to squeeze in studying law 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 from Bessemer, Stern recently began thinking about what he might do next.
“Rather than retire down the road 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. Going back to school is already making me better at my job. In the future, I’d like to combine my business experience with the law to do some good in areas outside of wealth management.”
Stern is considering two possible strategies for the next chapter—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.”
