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After Years Excelling in the Legal Field, 3L Pursues a Law Degree Through JDi Program

A woman in a green sweater raises her hand to make a comment or ask a question while seated in a lecture hall. She has a laptop open on her lap, and other attendees are seated nearby, listening attentively.

Chezelle McDade L’25 came to the U.S. from Trinidad with the dream of becoming a singer, and while she did pursue a career in opera early on, she soon realized the “amazing opportunities” that higher education would allow her. Today, she may still belt out a few arias now and again, but she is truly in tune with earning a law degree through Syracuse University College of Law’s JDinteractive (JDi) program.

McDade earned an associate degree in mass communications and music from Medgars Evers College/CUNY and a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, all while working in the legal field. Early in her career, as a paralegal for attorney John K. Avanzino, her talent for law became apparent. So much so that Avanzino’s wife, Angelicque, then an attorney at a large law firm, urged her to consider law school.

“I put that at the back of my head at the time, as I was working to pay the bills,” she says, “but, as I got more financially stable, I started thinking more about it.”

McDade continued her career, working as an attorney section leader at the law firm of Baron Associates, PC, and then as a senior paralegal for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before joining her current employer of nine years, DLA Piper, where she rose through the ranks as a senior paralegal, case manager and then a law clerk.

“The partners and associates at DLA Piper recognized my abilities and started giving me more substantive work,” she explains. “I was treated like a second or third year associate, putting in approximately 1,800 billable hours a year. The experience was an epiphany that I wanted to pursue law school.”

Two women sit at a table during a discussion or meeting. One wears a denim jacket over a patterned blouse, while the other, with braided hair, is dressed in formal attire. A laptop and a water bottle are visible on the table. Sunlight streams in through large windows in the background.

While McDade had the support of her employer, she also needed the blessing of her family, which includes husband Vernel, two high schoolers, Jasmine and Jayden; and 5-year-old Josiah, who has Down Syndrome. When she brought up the idea to her children, they replied, “Yes, 100%, Mommy! Aren’t you already a lawyer?”

McDade explored some local on-campus programs, but none were a good match. When she discovered the JDi program, she thought it was a good fit for her. “I got the acceptance email from Syracuse Law, and I knew it was going to change my life,” she says.

“I’ve met some of the most accomplished people from all over the world in my cohort.”

—Chezelle McDade L’25

Now a 3L, McDade has excelled in law school, while continuing at DLA Piper. “I’ve met some of the most accomplished people from all over the world in my cohort,” she says, noting her gratitude for her two best law school friends and supporters, Natalie Bravo L’25 and Amanda Higginson L’25. “JDi students are so integrated with the law school, and, even though much of your time is spent in front of a screen, you form lasting relationships and feel very much a part of this important work.”

person wearing a plaid coat holds up a phone to take a photo of two individuals posing together in a courtroom setting. The individuals are smiling, with one having their arm around the other. The background shows wooden panels and a podium.

Some of the work McDade has become involved with is through Syracuse Law’s Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, coordinated by Teaching Professor Elizabeth G. Kubala, executive director. McDade’s contributions allowed her the unique opportunity to work on an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the obligation of the VA to reimburse veterans for out-of-pocket costs for emergency medical treatment outside of the U.S. The Veterans Clinic was approached by a Washington, DC, law firm to ask if it would be willing to write an amicus brief in support of a petitioner. She and Christopher Foreman L’24 led a team overseen by Kubala that raised issues unique to the petitioner, while also highlighting the need for clearer policies regarding the VA’s medical care. McDade was also able to enlist assistance from attorneys at her law firm to enter into a formal engagement letter for advice and counsel throughout the process.

According to Kubala, the students gained “incredible insights into how to write an amicus brief and make a contribution to veterans at a national level.” So much so that McDade and Foreman received the Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Team Award for Syracuse University College of Law in 2024.

As McDade completes her law degree, she knows that her career interests focus on litigation with the intention of also doing significant pro bono work—something her law firm has long prioritized. She would also like to incorporate advocacy for children with disabilities, like her son.

“As I near the end of the JDi program, it is difficult to believe all that I’ve accomplished and the amount of support I’ve had from so many people along the way,” she says. “I am proud that, very soon, I will be able to tell my children that, ‘Yes, Mommy is a lawyer.’”

Professor Kubala Named New York State Bar Association’s Veterans Advocate of the Year

Beth Kubala meets with students in her office

Professor Beth Kubala has been selected as the recipient of the New York State Bar Association’s Judge Robert T. Russell Veterans Advocate Award. This award recognizes “an attorney who has positively impacted or provided exemplary services to current and retired members of the U.S. military in New York State.”

“Elizabeth Kubala takes her students from the classroom to the community, breaking down barriers so veteran clients can access quality health care, food and other government benefits. Her work bridges generations, aiding recent veterans now enrolled in college to those who fought in Korea and Vietnam.”

—Domenick Napoletano, New York State Bar Association President

Under her direction, students in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) have authored amicus briefs to the United States Supreme Court and argued cases at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Her tenacity has brought about new programs and funding to fight veteran homelessness and substance use. Professor Kubala’s nomination praised her infectious enthusiasm and passion for her work.

Syracuse University and the College of Law proudly support veterans through a legacy of over 100 years of commitment to military-connected students. Recognized as one of the Best Private Schools for Veterans and dedicated to being the Best Place for Veterans™, Syracuse offers unparalleled resources, academic programs, and student organizations for our veteran population.

Syracuse University is also home to the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, a national non-profit organization which has supported more than 208,000 service members, veterans, and military family members through programs and services which empower them in their post-service lives.

Garrison Funk L’25 Named the Recipient of the Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship

Garrison Funk L’25 was named the recipient of the Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. Funk was selected after a competitive application process by the Alexander Memorial Scholarship Committee to receive this significant scholarship in recognition of his commitment and dedication to public service.

Funk focuses his time during law school by volunteering for the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project of Central New York, serving as a student attorney for the Cornell University Farmworker Legal Assistance Clinic, externing and interning with the Department of Defense, and working as a legal researcher for the Syracuse Institute of Security Policy & Law. Funk is also pursuing his master’s degree in international relations at the Maxwell School.  These experiences have influenced his desire to pursue a career in public service after graduation.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to be named the Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship recipient for the 2024-25 school year. Thank you to all of my wonderful mentors, friends, and family for giving me the tools I needed to pursue my path to service,” says Funk.

The Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship was established by College of Law Board of Advisors Member and Syracuse University Trustee Richard M. Alexander L’82, Chairman of Arnold & Porter, and his wife Emily.

Professor Emeritus William Banks Provides Background on Martial Law as South Korea’s President Declares “Emergency Martial Law”

Professor of Law Emeritus William Banks provided Newsweek with background on Martial Law in the wake of South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring “emergency martial law” on December 3.

“Historically, martial law has been invoked when the national government is unable to enforce the laws in society. In effect martial law places the nation’s military in charge, and the rules that might be put in place are subject only to the commanders’ discretion,” says Banks. “Martial law has only rarely been invoked in the United States, as it is viewed as an extreme measure for the most turbulent times. In the 18th century English legal scholar Blackstone wrote that martial law is in “reality no law, but something indulge rather than allowed as law.”

Professor Nina Kohn Discusses Syracuse’s Worst Nursing Home, Bishop Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

David M. Levy L’48 Professor of Law Nina Kohn recently spoke with the Syracuse Post-Standard for their story “Syracuse’s worst nursing home risked lives, NY finds. Resident wonders if ‘they’d be better off dead’.” The article reveals numerous life-threatening issues found by New York State inspectors at the Bishop Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

In reviewing the state’s report on the facility, Kohn commented “We really need to be thinking about penalties beyond inspections. Is this a facility that the state should be licensing?”

The full article may be behind a paywall.

Syracuse Law Students Engage with Global Legal Issues   at the International Law Weekend Conference

Several Syracuse Law students from the International Law Society (ILS) recently attended the International Law Weekend Conference (ILW), hosted by the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA). The students were accompanied by Professor Cora True-Frost G’01, L’01, Faculty Advisor to the ILS, the most recent cohort in a longstanding tradition of Syracuse Law students attending the ILW.

At the conference, students participated in panels addressing some of the most pressing legal challenges facing the world today, including space law, immigration law, and labor regulation enforcement. They also had the chance to network with leading experts in international law, gaining valuable insights and perspectives on the global legal landscape.

“The conference gave students the opportunity to think through the legal problems they will address in their careers, both immediately after graduating and throughout their lifetimes, while also networking with attorneys from around the world and exploring job opportunities in various fields of international law,” says Zoe Tkaczyk L’25, president of the ILS. “The weekend in New York gave us the opportunity to get to know our classmates better and to spend time together and with alumni.”

Omar Sabbatini, an exchange student from the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy, who is spending the fall 2024 semester at Syracuse Law, highlighted the significance of the conference. “The ABILA’s ILW allowed us to engage with prominent figures in international law, including individuals who might seem distant from us—such as the author of our international law textbook, who participated in a panel alongside the Swiss and Chinese ambassadors,” he said. “Our attendance enabled us to establish meaningful connections with students and professionals while delving into lesser-known areas of international law, such as the law of people at sea. It also illuminated pressing issues, such as the situation of women in Afghanistan, through direct and authentic testimonies.”

“The International Law Weekend Conference provided Syracuse Law students with a unique platform to expand their global perspectives, deepen their understanding of international law, and connect with a diverse community of legal scholars and practitioners,” says True-Frost.

Professor Shubha Ghosh Discusses the DOJ’s Plan to End Google’s Search Monopoly with The Verge

Crandall Melvin Professor of Law Shubha Ghosh, director of the Syracuse Intellectual Property Law Institute, recently spoke with The Verge for their article “Breaking down the DOJ’s plan to end Google’s search monopoly.” The DOJ has proposed many remedies after a federal judge ruled that Google monopolized internet search and other services.

Discussing the possibility of Google selling its Chrome browser, Ghosh says “There is definitely an issue about whether you’re just simply transferring a valuable asset from one company where these assets are too tightly integrated, to another company.”

Another proposed remedy is for Google to license some of its most valuable data. “Data is not really protected, per se, by intellectual property,” Ghosh says. “It’s not like Google created the data. They created the platform that allowed the data to be generated.” It’s like asking who owns a news event, he adds. “The news is just what happens, and you just have an agency that collects it or observes it. But that doesn’t by itself create any kind of property right.”

General Counsel Symposium Connects Students to Powerful Network of Alumni with Experiences to Share

A woman presenting at a podium in a lecture hall with "College of Law" banners. Three panelists are seated at a table with microphones and orange mugs, listening to the presentation.

Many students at the Syracuse University College of Law aim to work as general counsel at some point in their careers. And, while most have a sense of what that job title entails, Syracuse University College of Law students who participated in the General Counsel Symposium, sponsored by the Corporate Law Society (CLS) in Dineen Hall, had a unique opportunity to network and gain face-to-face insights from prestigious alumni and guests willing to share their own experiences working as general counsel for leading corporations around the globe.

“Every single alumnus I reached out to said ‘yes’—a true testament to the Orange alumni network.”

—Brett VanBuren L’25

The concept started last February when Brett VanBuren L’25, president of the CLS, proposed the idea of organizing a General Counsel Symposium to Lily Yan Hughes, assistant dean of career services and student experiences. After getting the green light, VanBuren and his team of Nicholas Troia L’25, Gabriella Amaturo L’25 and Dana Krinsky L’25, as well as Director of Alumni Relations Adrienne Lutz, started to assemble a diverse lineup of alumni and a few others with outstanding experience working as general counsel.
 
“Every single alumnus I reached out to said ‘yes’—a true testament to the Orange alumni network” said VanBuren.

A group of five people standing near a large window engaged in a lively conversation. Everyone is smiling and interacting warmly.


Alumni Paired With Student Organizations on Current Issues

Early in the day, alumni and other guests were paired with various Syracuse Law student organizations based on areas of interest and expertise.

A small group seated around tables in a conference room. A female speaker gestures with her hands while addressing four students, who listen attentively. A flat-screen monitor is mounted on the wall in the background.

Students from the Bankruptcy Clinic had the opportunity to meet with Melanie Gray L’81, former chair, Syracuse University College of Law Advisory Board and Syracuse University trustee, who practiced complex commercial law and was lead attorney on behalf of Enron during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which, at the time, was the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history.

woman speaking and gesturing during a classroom session. The back of the audience’s heads and a computer setup on a podium are visible in the foreground.

Leslie Park L’95, assistant general counsel and senior vice president, legal & business affairs, Hallmark Media, explained some of the challenges faced by her company, primarily due to its extensive movie library, to the Entertainment and Sports Law Society (ESLS). “Leslie Park provided such an eye-opening perspective on the different ways in which the law intersects with the entertainment industry,” said Krinsky, president of the ESLS. “She shared candid advice about how to break into the industry and truly took the time to listen to members’ goals and respond with tailored recommendations.
 
A former lead articles editor of Syracuse Law Review, Aaron Tidman L’07 met with current editors outlining his non-traditional career path that eventually led him to his current work as assistant general counsel and director of compliance at Pinterest.

our women seated in a lounge area around a coffee table near a fireplace. One participant gestures as she speaks, while the others listen and smile.

Rebecca Peters ’00 MPA (MAX), L’00, director of public policy, semiconductor policy, Samsung, met with the Women’s Law Student Association for a conversation about her own career path, along with changes being made in the legal profession today.

A group discussion in a lounge area with four people sitting on couches around a fireplace. The speaker, an older man, is engaged in conversation with three participants, including a person wearing a "Navy" t-shirt.

Jim Dixon, retired senior vice president and chief legal officer, RWE Clean Energy, met with students from the Veterans Law Society and the Environmental Law Society. “We were allotted about 30 minutes, but Jim conversed with us for over an hour-and-a-half,” said Luke Overdyk ’22 (Falk), L’26. “Much of our career pursuit is internet based, and it can be difficult to navigate. It was encouraging to hear from a professional like Jim in person and speak candidly. He welcomed our many questions and offered his best advice for aspiring environmental lawyers.”

A wide-angle view of a lecture hall featuring a panel discussion on a stage, with a presentation slide displaying images of the panelists and their discussion topic, "Legal Competency in Tech."


Panel Discussions Gave Students Practical Insight From Prestigious Thought Leaders

In the afternoon, Syracuse Law Dean Terence J. Lau L’98 welcomed attendees to the Melanie Gray Ceremonial Courtroom.
 
“This symposium is an outstanding example of the bonds that Syracuse Law forges between students, alumni and industry partners through mentorships that span generations and philanthropy that opens doors for the next wave of legal minds,” said Lau. “To our students here today—look around. These accomplished professionals were once where you are now. And, they’re here today because they believe in you and your potential to change the world.”
 
Following the dean’s remarks, four discussion sessions were offered to students, including Syracuse Law’s JDinteractive (JDi) students, who were able to participate through a livestream. Each session was comprised of a panel of several alumni or other guests with specific expertise as general counsel. These sessions included:

A close-up of a panel discussion in a lecture hall. A woman speaks into a microphone, with two male panelists listening attentively, seated at a table with microphones and orange mugs.
Left to right: Jim Dixon, Prashanth “PJ” Jayachandran ’98 MPA, L’98, and Mary Snyder L’02

Welcome to In-House: The Role of General Counsel with panelists Dixon, Mary Snyder L’02, executive vice president & general counsel, SRC; and Prashanth “PJ” Jayachandran ’98 MPA, L’98, senior vice president & chief supply chain counsel, Colgate-Palmolive, and a distinguished lecturer at Syracuse Law. This session helped clearly define what a general counsel does, as well as understand how a solid knowledge of business can influence senior leadership by offering new ideas or measures that mitigate risk.

Three panelists seated at a table during a discussion, each with microphones and orange mugs. The middle speaker, a woman, is addressing the audience, while the two men on either side listen attentively.
Left to right: Kris Kiefer L’05, Leslie Park L’95, and Aaron Tidman L’07

Getting to the Boardroom: The Path to In-House Success with panelists Park, Tidman and Kris Kiefer L’05, assistant general counsel and director, National Grid. Many students attending this session were interested in hearing about what companies are looking for when hiring a general counsel, as well as the importance of developing excellent soft skills, like listening, communicating and wanting to do the right thing.

A woman standing at a podium presenting in a lecture hall with "Syracuse University" and "College of Law" branding. Two panelists seated at a table listen and smile during the presentation.

Legal Competency in Tech: Let’s Talk Semiconductors with panelists Peters and Richard Thurston, current chairman, CEO and chief legal officer, Hudson Valley Fast Fab; founder of RLT Global, a semiconductor consulting firm, and retired senior vice president, general counsel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., was particularly valuable, as the Syracuse community prepares for Micron Technologies to build a $100 billion chip manufacturing facility in Central New York.

Three panelists engaged in a discussion on stage, with one woman gesturing expressively while speaking into a microphone. The backdrop includes "College of Law" branding.
Left to right: Brett VanBuren L’25, Melanie Gray L’81, and Lily Hughes.

Leadership Challenges: Handling the Best and the Worst Days of a Company with panelists Gray and Hughes, who, before joining Syracuse Law, was a former chief legal officer at Arrow Electronics and vice president and associate, general counsel for corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions at Ingram Micro, a former Fortune 100 New York Stock Exchange-listed company. Students heard how every successful career comes with some mistakes along the way and were encouraged to “own up to it and disclose it,” by Hughes, who said most problems have solutions if they are identified quickly.

Audience members seated in rows in a brightly lit lecture hall, engaged and taking notes during a presentation.


Evening Session Focused on Negotiations, Competition

After a reception where students were able to further engage with participating alumni and guests, Jeff Gewirtz, executive vice president, business affairs chief legal officer, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment Global, Zoomed in from New York City to speak to the group on negotiations, as well as how his law degree has set him up for success in the business world.
 
Bringing the day to a close was the final round of the inaugural Corporate Law Society’s Business Negotiation Competition (BNC), sponsored by local firm Bousquet Holstein. Two teams of law students who made it through to this final round negotiated a real world business scenario in front of judges that included Gray, Park and Thurston.
 
Sixteen competitors in teams of two participated in the BNC, which is a hallmark of Syracuse Law’s intercollegiate advocacy competitions. Through three preliminary rounds held earlier in the month, students worked on fictitious legal scenarios until two teams made it to the finals. Austin Dewey L’26 and Gregory Patrick L’26 went head-to-head against Krinsky and James Cameron III L’25 in a scenario involving negotiating a new terminal, additional routes and a percentage of local hires for an airline establishing a new hub. In the end, the team of Cameron and Krinsky walked away with the win.

Overall, the first General Counsel Symposium was a great accomplishment, according to VanBuren. “I think it was a success thanks to the openness of our alumni who were willing to share their own stories,” he said. “I knew every one of them was going to be a hit, as  each person not only has already had an accomplished career but was honest, passionate and humorous. I think the outcome of the day was witnessing how wide-ranging the work of a general counsel can be. There was something for everyone—from employment law to legal ethics to emerging technology. I hope the General Council Symposium continues to happen every year and only grows in impact.”

Overall, the first General Counsel Symposium was a great accomplishment, according to VanBuren. “I think it was a success thanks to the openness of our alumni who were willing to share their own stories,” he said. “I knew every one of them was going to be a hit, as  each person not only has already had an accomplished career but was honest, passionate and humorous. I think the outcome of the day was witnessing how wide-ranging the work of a general counsel can be. There was something for everyone—from employment law to legal ethics to emerging technology. I hope the General Council Symposium continues to happen every year and only grows in impact.”

side view of a lecture hall audience, showing rows of participants attentively watching a presentation, with light streaming in from large windows.

Professor Shubha Ghosh Comments on the DOJ’s Request to Break up Google and Force the Sale of Chrome

Crandall Melvin Professor of Law Shubha Ghosh recently spoke with the Associated Press on the DOJ’s request that a federal judge impose several sanctions to break up Google’s monopoly on search engines and other technologies. The request includes the potential sale of the Chrome web browser and that its Android operating system should be completely walled off from the company’s search engine.

“It is probably going a little beyond,” Ghosh said of the Chrome breakup. “The remedies should match the harm; it should match the transgression. This does seem a little beyond that pale.”

Austin Dewey L’26 and Madison Mahar L’26 Win the First Annual Entertainment Negotiation Competition

Austin Dewey L’26 and Madison Mahar L’26 prevailed over William Baldwin L’27 and Brady Sterpe L’27 in Syracuse Law’s First Annual Entertainment Negotiation Competition (ENC), hosted by the Entertainment and Sports Law Society (ESLS).

The final round was judged by Veronica Ramirez L’18 Owner and Lead Attorney at Curator Counsel; Barry Slotnick L’72, Chair of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Litigation at Loeb & Loeb; and Payton Sorci L’22, Legal Assistant at Endeavor.

The ENC covered various entertainment law topics, including Intellectual Property, Contracts, and Finance. Teams negotiated terms for a fictional series of fact patterns centered on Justin Bieber: a record deal between Bieber and Universal Records; a brand endorsement deal between Bieber and Balenciaga; a movie deal between Bieber and Marvel Studios; and for the final round, a Vegas residency deal between Bieber and Caesars Palace.

The ESLS will host its 5th Annual Sports Negotiation Competition in Spring, 2025.