News

Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic Students Successfully Represent Appellant in Lengthy U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Case

A woman standing at a podium with the Syracuse University logo, delivering a speech in a formal setting. She is wearing a professional outfit with a blazer and light-colored top, speaking into a microphone with wood-paneled walls in the background.
Beth Kubala, Executive Director of Clinical Education

Over several semesters, student attorneys in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) worked under the supervision of VLC Executive Director and Professor Beth Kubala to represent the Appellant in Phillips v. McDonough a case adjudicated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). This included many hours of research, outlining, and writing briefs, among other legal tasks.

“This case illustrates the dedication of VLC students to ensure our client received the best legal representation possible, no matter how long the case takes to be resolved. I am also impressed by the work produced by our students which measures up to that of professional law firms and the military.”

—Beth Kubala, Executive Director of Clinical Education

The Appellant in this case was a long-term client of the VLC, first representing him at the VA Regional Office (RO) and before the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA).  This appeal resulted from a BVA decision denying an earlier effective date for the onset of his claim after a 26-year fight to secure veteran’s benefits

“Veterans claims cases can take years to come to a resolution as Phillips reflects,” says Kubala. “This case illustrates the dedication of VLC students to ensure our client received the best legal representation possible, no matter how long the case takes to be resolved. I am also impressed by the work produced by our students which measures up to that of professional law firms and the military.”

VLC students provided written support to their client throughout the legal process that started in 2020. The case was stayed in 2021 due to pending decisions Arellano v McDonough (Supreme Court) and Taylor v McDonough (Federal Circuit) that had major implications for arguments raised in Phillips and impacted the VLC’s strategies and subsequent filings.

“Not only did the law students research, outline, and draft the briefs, but if the case were called to oral arguments, one of the students would have argued it. We knew the contested issues inside and out because Professor Kubala demands excellence from her students, and our veteran clients deserve excellence in our work. After the precedential decisions above, over a hundred hours collectively went into re-strategizing this case to draft a reply brief within the 30-day window of the Secretary’s filing once the stay was lifted.”

—Seth M. Owens L’24

The CAVC issued a Memorandum Decision, on 5/31/2024, remanding the case to the BVA with specific, express instructions to consider certain aspects of the evidence of record when adjudicating the claim for an earlier effective date. Re-adjudication before the BVA is still pending.

A man seated at a desk, writing in a notebook with a laptop in front of him. He is wearing glasses, a light blue shirt, and a brown blazer, with shelves of books and a globe visible in the background. Bright orange flowers are in the foreground, slightly blurred.
Seth M. Owens L’24

Seth M. Owens L’24, now a Staff Attorney with the VLC, worked on the case while a student in the VLC. He noted that Professor Kubala provides her VLC students with a “firm-like” atmosphere that leads to professional growth and experiential learning in the clinic. “Not only did the law students research, outline, and draft the briefs, but if the case were called to oral arguments, one of the students would have argued it,” says Owens. “We knew the contested issues inside and out because Professor Kubala demands excellence from her students, and our veteran clients deserve excellence in our work. After the precedential decisions above, over a hundred hours collectively went into re-strategizing this case to draft a reply brief within the 30-day window of the Secretary’s filing once the stay was lifted.”

Adjunct Professor Jared Landaw Discusses the NASDAQ’s Diversity Rule Being Struck Down by the Fifth Circuit

Adjunct Professor Jared Landaw recently spoke with Bloomberg after the Fifth Circuit struck down NASDAQ’s rule to compel listed companies to have a more diverse board of directors.

In the article, Landaw said smart companies send a signal when they release information about board diversity. In more than 16 years at Barington Capital Group, including as chief operating officer, he found “many under-performing companies tend to have some form of homogeneousness in the board room that’s either contributed to the problem or prevents the board from self-correcting.” Bringing in directors of different demographic and life backgrounds helped address the problem.

“A majority of S&P 500 companies disclose their diversity statistics, regardless of whether they are traded on Nasdaq,” Landaw said. “I think that’s a reflection of what investors want and have come to expect.”

Fulbright Grant Allows Mozambican Lawyer to Combine Private Legal Practice and Human Rights Advocacy Through LL.M.

A portrait of the student in a blue suit, standing confidently with hands in pockets, in a well-lit modern library space.

Sinésio Sambo ’25 LL.M. has been a practicing attorney and human rights activist since 2016 in Mozambique. The combination of private legal practice and corporate in-house counseling with human rights and/or sustainability pursuits are rare in his home country, but Sambo is spending a year in the U.S. earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Syracuse University College of Law in an effort to help change that.  
 
The Republic of Mozambique became independent in 1975 after four centuries of Portuguese rule. Located on the southeast coast of Africa, it is rich in natural resources and both biologically and culturally diverse, but it is also considered one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 181 out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index. According to Sambo, the culture of Mozambique in relation to human rights and sustainability is, for the most part, a pursuit of local civil society organizations, international NGOs and multilateral agencies.

“I knew gaining multijurisdictional exposure in a richly developed legal system, while qualifying for the New York State Bar exam, would help me reach my goals. And, I was attracted to Syracuse Law for its innovative and student-centered approach to legal education and genuine concern about academic and bar success of foreign-trained attorneys.”

—Sinésio Sambo ’25 LL.M

 “While awareness of human rights and sustainability has been increasing over the past few years, the fact of the matter is that there is a not so openly discussed perception that legal practitioners must choose between going into private practice or corporate in-house counseling or going down a more human rights and/or sustainability-related career path,” he explains. “In fact, based on experience, I think that business and human rights are still viewed as mutually exclusive by many fellow legal practitioners.”
 
According to Sambo, in lawsuits involving large corporations and disadvantaged rural communities, the former are commonly represented by well-established law firms and the latter by organizations that prioritize free legal aid. He suspects that is because well-established law firms and lawyers are not willing to take the risk of losing large corporate clients—and profit.

A student in a blue suit and glasses seated at a desk in a library, engaged in reading and speaking.

“Private practitioners seem to forget that our role should go far beyond representing clients. It entails upholding the rule of law even through publication statements against human rights violations,” he says.
 
From the earliest days in law, Sambo knew that getting an LL.M. would benefit his goals to pursue an international career and embark on global legal practice. While he has a law degree equivalent to an LL.B. from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique and an LL.M. in human rights and democratization in Africa from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, Sambo wanted more. So, when he recently received a Fulbright grant, he headed to Syracuse Law to earn another LL.M.
 
“I knew gaining multijurisdictional exposure in a richly developed legal system, while qualifying for the New York State Bar exam, would help me reach my goals. And, I was attracted to Syracuse Law for its innovative and student-centered approach to legal education and genuine concern about academic and bar success of foreign-trained attorneys,” he explains.

A group discussion in a library setting, with the student in a blue suit leading the conversation, gesturing to a book while two other individuals listen attentively.

Since beginning the program, Sambo is pleased with the vast number of resources available to foreign-trained legal professionals in order for them to succeed academically and professionally wherever in the world they decide to practice. He notes the one-on-one mentoring, the free bar prep course and the state-of the art Dineen Hall, as well as the diversity of his cohort, which has afforded him multijurisdictional exposure and allowed him to gain insight and some understanding into how law works in unfamiliar jurisdictions. Sambo has been inspired by a number of others in his cohort, including Igor dos Santos L’25, a “brilliant” mentor from Brazil who is a student in Syracuse Law’s J.D. program.

“There are so many takeaways I will bring back from my experience here at Syracuse Law, particularly highlighting the problem-solving approach that U.S. law takes to today’s pressing concerns in the world and to the constitutional principles, such as separation of power.”

—Sinésio Sambo ’25 LL.M

While Sambo intends to gain some work experience in the U.S. after completing his LL.M. next year, he will eventually return home to Mozambique with the intention of making a contribution to the country’s further development.

Three individuals in professional attire walking past the exterior of Dineen Hall, Syracuse University College of Law, with the building's name prominently displayed on the brick wall.

“There are so many takeaways I will bring back from my experience here at Syracuse Law, particularly highlighting the problem-solving approach that U.S. law takes to today’s pressing concerns in the world and to the constitutional principles, such as separation of power,” he says.
 
In the meantime, Sambo is committed to taking advantage of every learning opportunity he can before he completes his LL.M. in 2025. He says, “My experience at Syracuse Law is helping me focus on business-related legal disciplines in order to become an expert combining both business and human rights—and allowing me to be the change I want to see in the world.”

The student in a blue suit walking through the library, looking down at a phone, with the text of Article III of the U.S. Constitution displayed on the wood-paneled wall behind.

Syracuse Law Alum Receives ‘CUSE50 Award for Founding Risk Management and Security Consulting Firm

A man wearing a blazer standing at an outdoor location with blurred stadium seating in the background, looking at the camera.

When you attend a concert or baseball game, it’s become routine to go through a metal detector or be screened by security, but most people don’t think about what goes on behind the scenes to make sure that large venues, like stadiums, airports or government entities, are safe from acts of terrorism, cybersecurity breaches or other risks that impact the public. Thankfully, Akmal Ali L’06 and his team at Aluma think about it every day.

Aluma logo

In recognition for the success of Aluma, a risk management and security consulting firm founded by Ali, Syracuse University recognized him with a ‘CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award in November. In its second year, the ‘CUSE50 awards recognize 50 fastest-growing alumni businesses owned or led by Orange graduates University-wide.

The son of Afghan refugees, Ali was born and raised in Florida. He always had two dreams: go to law school and live in Washington, D.C. He’s achieved both, but his determination to do so brought him to Syracuse Law along the way.

The events of 9/11 left a permanent impression on Ali, who was an undergraduate at Rollins College at the time. So, when he decided to pursue law school, he chose Syracuse Law for its program on national security and counterterrorism law. Along the way, he discovered a mentor in now Professor of Law Emeritus William C. Banks, founder of the Syracuse Law’s Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism (INSCT).

Although he enrolled at Syracuse Law, Ali never intended to become a practicing attorney. Instead, he wanted the skillsets of critical thinking and problem solving that came from a law school education.

man smiling and pointing to his photo on a class composite portrait from Syracuse University College of Law, with a full view of his face and finger extended.

After earning his J.D., he went straight to work at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in his dream city of Washington, D.C. In response to the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government created the DHS, and Congress enacted the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effecting Technologies (SAFETY) Act, which incentivizes private companies to do more to reduce risk exposure.

Ali began as a research associate for the SAFETY Act Office at DHS. Two years later, he was named deputy director responsible for public and private partnerships, working in sports and large venue security, cybersecurity, risk management, mass transit security and more in collaboration with federal and state government agencies like the Department of Defense and the State Department. Ali was, in fact, vital in expanding the SAFETY Act program within the private sector, and today his work remains a primary feature of the program.

However, as Ali grew in his role with DHS, he began noticing that applications for SAFETY Act awards were primarily coming from the private sector, which could be better served by a consultant who understood both the security best practices and the legal background needed to traverse the DHS application processes. He knew he could do better, so with his degree from Syracuse Law and experience at the DHS, Ali entered the private sector at an existing consulting firm.

“To assist someone in getting a SAFETY Act award, you have to be a really good risk manager and security expert to help your clients with best practices, as well as offer recommendations and identify emerging technologies,” Ali explains.

Ali’s first client was the New York Yankees. Next came the New York Mets, and soon Ali was working with other sports teams, as well as venues like airports, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Madison Square Garden. He also starting giving security input during the design process of venues yet to be built.

In 2019, he founded Aluma. “I knew I had the experience, so I decided to hang out my own shingle and bet on myself,” he says.

“I’ve put a lot of work into my business, but much of my foundation was built at Syracuse Law. I soaked up so much information on counterterrorism and the law and learned skill sets that allowed me to create a business that is helping to keep people and places safer—and that’s very rewarding.”

—Akmal Ali L’06

Today, clients such as the NFL, Live Nation, and MGM Resorts come to Aluma to leverage its expertise in order to pursue benefits from the SAFETY Act with the priority of keeping people safe while still allowing for an outstanding guest experience.

Ali notes that security focuses have changed throughout his career. After 9/11, the biggest threats on people’s minds were sophisticated attacks of terror like the strikes on the World Trade Center, but, today there are other threats to be mitigated.

“What we’ve seen the most over the last decade are bad actors going for the low hanging fruit—less sophisticated actions like sniper threats, vehicles ramming into crowds, small firearm or knife attacks, and even drones,” he explains. “The impact might seem smaller, but any of these threats can add up to a lot of damage.”

Recently AI has come into play in the risk and security assessment sector, as technology continues to become more sophisticated and connect everything, everywhere. Aluma is continuously working to utilize AI positively, while also staying ahead of abuse of this sophisticated technology.

“If you’re sitting at 500 camera feeds in a command center looking to spot a bad actor, one person can only notice so much. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack,” Ali says. “But, AI can use video analytics to search thousands of people and then trigger an alert that prompts human action. AI is amazing technology that will eventually be used to help security professionals write or update their security policies, so we’re staying on top of that.”

His vast knowledge of law, government and security threats have certainly put him and his business on top. Ali is proud to have received a ‘CUSE50 award in recognition for the highly successful business he created in Aluma.

A man holding a 'CUSE50 2024 award plaque, standing between two other individuals in formal attire. They are smiling and posing in front of a dark background with flags.

“Visiting campus and walking through the new law school at Dineen Hall was a thrill, and it was an honor to come back to the University and receive a ‘CUSE50 award,” says Ali. “I’ve put a lot of work into my business, but much of my foundation was built at Syracuse Law. I soaked up so much information on counterterrorism and the law and learned skill sets that allowed me to create a business that is helping to keep people and places safer—and that’s very rewarding.”

Experienced Housing Law Attorney Casey Weissman-Vermeulen Joins Syracuse Law as Housing Clinic Director

Casey Weissman-Vermeulen has joined Syracuse University College of Law as an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Housing Clinic. He will teach the housing clinic course in addition to supervising student attorneys participating in the Housing Clinic.

“Director Weissman-Vermeulen will bring several years of experience in housing law and representation of low-income residents facing profound housing issues,” says Professor Elizabeth Kubala, Executive Director of Clinical Legal Education at Syracuse Law. “He is ideally suited to serve our housing clients and provide our students with the clinical education and direction necessary to be effective student attorneys.”

Prior to joining Syracuse Law, Weissman-Vermeulen was a staff attorney at CNY Fair Housing, Inc., a Syracuse-based fair housing advocacy and enforcement organization that serves residents across Central and Northern New York. At CNY Fair Housing, Weissman-Vermeulen litigated a variety of cases in federal and state court and before government agencies. He also contributed to the organization’s policy work, helping to research and draft reports on barriers to affordable housing opportunities for minority and low-income households in the Syracuse area.

From 2012 to 2019 he worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. where he was an attorney in the Office of General Counsel, Fair Housing Enforcement Division. There, he worked on a variety of fair housing investigations and enforcement actions, assisted in drafting fair housing regulations and guidance, and contributed to government briefs in cases raising important questions of statutory interpretation under the Fair Housing Act. 

Weissman-Vermeulen previously held several legal positions in non-profit organizations and local government in North Carolina.

“Syracuse Law’s Housing Clinic provides desperately needed legal representation to low-income families facing eviction and other serious housing problems,” says Weissman-Vermeulen. “Research confirms that having a lawyer improves housing court outcomes for tenants, yet all too often tenants have no choice but to go to court without one. I am excited to have the opportunity to advance the Housing Clinic’s efforts to expand access to housing-related legal services while teaching student attorneys how to manage all aspects of their clients’ cases. My hope is that through their work in the clinic – from conducting initial client interviews, to investigating facts, to successfully advocating on behalf of their clients in negotiations, written legal filings, and the courtroom – students will develop an appreciation both of how important and how rewarding housing law practice can be.”

Weissman-Vermeulen earned a J.D. and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina and a B.S. in natural resources from Cornell University.

In its first semester, the Housing Clinic represented approximately two dozen Syracuse area residents in rental housing matters.  Student attorneys successfully defended several evictions and negotiated favorable outcomes.  Some clients received additional time to look for new housing, while other clients had landlord claims for back rent reduced or eliminated.  The student attorneys also advised other tenants on housing condition issues and filed several actions to recover security deposits. 

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 offers students a choice of seven legal clinics: the Bankruptcy Clinic, the Betty & Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, the Criminal Defense Clinic, the Housing Clinic, the Syracuse Medical-Legal Partnership, the Sherman F. Levey ’57, L’59 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and the Transactional Law Clinic.

In Memoriam: Former Trustee Robert E. Dineen Jr. L’66

In 2014, Robert E. Dineen Jr. L’66 explained the motivation behind what was then the largest gift in the history of the College of Law: “Because of the opportunities and education that the College of Law provided to my parents, every member of the Dineen family owes their success to Syracuse.” Dineen Jr. and his siblings provided the $15 million lead gift to build Dineen Hall, which would bring distinction to the law school and make legendary the Dineen family’s dedication to the Orange community.

Dineen Jr. was generationally attached to the College of Law. His parents had attended the College of Law and Dineen Hall is named in honor of them: Robert E. Dineen Sr. L’1924, H’66 and Carolyn Bareham Dineen L’1932. His mother was one of only two women in her class. His father was raised in the Irish immigrant neighborhood near the law school at the western edge of the University campus, a neighborhood referred to as “the swamp.”

Dineen Jr. passed away Oct. 12, 2024, at 84. He served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2016 and was a member of the Budget and Advancement and External Affairs committees. He was also a member of the College of Law Board of Advisors and the National Alumni Association Board. He was generous in his philanthropy, supporting scholarships and financial aid for law school students.

“For decades, Bob Dineen Jr. played a major role in ensuring Syracuse University remained at the forefront of legal education,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “That’s evident in all the ways he continued to give back to his alma mater, including his years of dedicated service on the Board of Trustees and on the College of Law Board of Advisors. His family’s transformational gift led the way in creating a state-of-the-art facility to support the next generation of law students, while honoring his parents’ legacy. And Bob’s accomplishments in finance law across the globe demonstrate that a Syracuse education can take our students anywhere.”

When Hannah Arterian became dean of the College of Law in 2003, she asked for Dineen Jr.’s assistance in creating a strategic plan to form a new Board of Advisors. She described him as “an incredible person” for his guidance.  He was a driving force behind the capital campaign that would bring Dineen Hall to life—a 200,000-square-foot building that brought together the law school community under one roof for the first time and would be hailed as one of the most architecturally attractive law school buildings in the world.

Dineen Jr. had attended the College of Law after earning his undergraduate degree at Brown University. He served as editor of the Syracuse Law Review and was named to the Order of the Coif and the Justinian Honor Society. In 2010, the College of Law presented him with its Law Review Alumni Achievement Award.

Dineen Jr. had a successful career focused on public finance transactions. He was also a specialist in U.S. and international private banking and financial transactions, including equipment and project financing.

He was a partner of Shearman & Sterling LLP, a leading international law firm from 1974 until his retirement in December 2005. While at Shearman & Sterling, he led several of the firm’s corporate groups, including those responsible for Latin America and Asia as well as its global project finance work. Over the years, he spent significant time in the firm’s offices in Algeria, Hong Kong, London, New York, Paris, Toronto, and Washington.

“Bob’s brilliant career in international legal and financial transactions and steadfast client relationships inspires our students to excel in everything they do,” says College of Law Dean Terence Lau L’98. “As commendable is his leadership, along with his siblings, in honoring their parents when they led the campaign to build Dineen Hall that our students, faculty, and staff are thankful for every day.”

Dineen Jr. is survived by his wife, Jeanne C. Olivier, Esq., and his sister, the Honorable Carolyn Dineen King H’06, judge and former chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Robert E. Dineen Jr. (center) served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2016 and was a member of the Budget and Advancement and External Affairs committees. He was also a member of the College of Law Board of Advisors and the National Alumni Association Board.

Professor Gregory Germain Speaks with USA Today on President-elect Trump’s Civil Cases

Professor Gregory Germain recently spoke with USA Today for the story “Trump’s election helped him with his criminal cases. What about the civil lawsuits he faces?” Based on Supreme Court precedent, presidents are not immune from civil liability for private actions.

The USA Today article notes that “Trump could go on to file motions asking courts to dismiss the civil cases, claiming they – with their massive judgments – will unconstitutionally distract from and interfere with his upcoming presidency, just as he is arguing that his two state criminal cases should be fully dismissed for those reasons. For him to win that argument about civil lawsuits, however, courts would need to announce brand-new protections for a president-elect or sitting president. No one in those positions has ever before been made fully exempt from civil lawsuits.”

In response, Germain says “The (Supreme Court) would have to extend the law in a way that they never have.”

Law? Business? First Student to Enroll in Joint JDi/Online MBA Program Chooses Both

A professionally dressed individual wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and orange tie sits at a desk smiling confidently. Behind them, shelves are filled with law books, Syracuse University-themed items, and a basket of oranges.

After graduating from Rowan University with a degree in finance, Brette Cox L’25, ’25 MBA, knew his academic journey wasn’t over, but first he focused on starting a career. Little did he know that one day soon he would be well on his way to earning not one but two advanced degrees as the first student to enroll in Syracuse University’s JDinteractive/Online MBA program.

Cox started his career 10 years ago with insurance company GEICO, where today he is manager of corporate tax. Early on, he worked in claims, then moved into accounting and thought about earning an MBA. As he advanced, he  managed financial planning for the company’s staff counsel operations, learning how closely insurance and the law were tied together. He wondered if maybe a law degree would be a better option. Cox asked a mentor at GEICO  for an opinion on what path might most benefit his career—and the answer was: “Why don’t you do both?”

At first, Cox wasn’t sure how he could possibly make that happen, until he discovered that Syracuse University was launching the first joint hybrid program in the nation, a JDi/MBA that combined an online degree from Syracuse University College of Law with an online MBA from the University’s Whitman School of Management. Living in Virginia, Cox saw this as an opportunity to earn both degrees without relocating and also have the flexibility he needed to continue working while attending school.

To complete the JDi/Online MBA program, students must first be admitted to Syracuse Law and complete their first year (34 credits) with a minimum GPA of 2.9, before they can apply to Whitman’s Online MBA program. The combined degree requires 114 credits—72 from Syracuse Law and 42 from Whitman—to graduate in four years.

A close-up of the same individual writing in an open notebook on a desk. They wear a blue suit and orange tie, with Syracuse-themed decor and law books visible in the background.

Cox began taking classes through the JDi program at Syracuse Law, while working full time. He found the real-time online classes combined with self-paced instruction manageable with his demanding work schedule. After his 1L year, he applied and was accepted to the Whitman School’s Online MBA program. The joint program is designed so that the focus is primarily on law in years one and four with MBA courses during years two and three, although there is some cross over throughout the curriculum.

“Professor Nassau has been a really good sounding board to keep me motivated, and we also have great conversations around career guidance, as well.”

—Brette Cox L’25, ’25 MBA

The program also requires residencies that bring students to campus or other major cities for a condensed concentration on specific subjects related to their studies.

Cox most enjoyed the residencies held at the University. “There’s something to be said about traveling to Syracuse and having the campus experience for a few days,” he says. “Not only did we focus in on topics important to our degrees, but there was also time to take in a lacrosse game, go to local restaurants, explore Dineen Hall and the Whitman School and, of course, interact with the familiar faces of faculty and other students that I only knew through my online experience.”

The individual, still in professional attire, sits on the edge of a desk holding a laptop, looking at the screen. The office is bright, with natural light streaming through the windows, and the desk contains Syracuse-themed items and office supplies.

He is grateful to his mentors and supporters at GEICO who have allowed him to take advantage of this opportunity, as well as the faculty at both schools, including his Syracuse Law mentor Teaching Professor Rob Nassau, who meets with Cox once a quarter to make sure he’s on track. “Professor Nassau has been a really good sounding board to keep me motivated, and we also have great conversations around career guidance, as well,” Cox says. 

Cox has already taken many of the things he’s learned and applied them to his job. “Although I plan to stay on the business side, I really like the law, and I know that having a law degree and MBA will give me the background I need to be an even more impactful employee,” he says.

As Cox prepares to complete his JDi/Online MBA degree next year, he has learned a great deal about business, the law and more. And, being the first student to enroll in the joint program makes him proud to be part of Syracuse University’s history.

“The experience has been challenging, but you quickly learn how to manage tasks effectively and prioritize,” he says. “You make time for all of it and take it one semester at a time. You don’t waste a minute. Maybe that means you wake up earlier or stay up a little later to get some things done, but through it all, you’re telling yourself, ‘I can do this!’ — and you can.”

he individual sits at a desk in a well-lit office, focused on writing in a notebook. A laptop is also on the desk, and a window with greenery outside is visible in the background.

Syracuse Law Honorees Featured on 2024 AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll

An individual in a blue suit and light purple tie stands in front of a seated audience in a lecture hall, speaking and gesturing with hands clasped. Two people sit behind a wooden desk, observing attentively. The lecture hall features modern architecture with slanted windows and beige seating.
Elliot Malin L’24

The Syracuse University College of Law is proud to announce three honorees featured on the 2024 Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Pro Bono Honor Roll, which recognizes individuals advancing access to justice through exceptional pro bono contributions.

Elliot Malin L’24

Elliot Malin, a 2024 graduate of the College of Law, completed an extraordinary 1,400 hours of pro bono work. Malin collaborated with the Lizzy Hammond Foundation to raise awareness about accidental deaths in inflatable bounce houses and organ donation, as well as with the Anti-Defamation League of Nevada and the ACLU to provide legal support to an underserved individual in a protected class. His remarkable dedication earned him the College of Law’s Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for the Class of 2024.

Professor Paula Johnson

Professor Paula Johnson, a distinguished faculty member and co-founder of the Cold Case Justice Initiative (CCJI), was recognized for her significant contributions to civil rights-era justice. CCJI investigates racially motivated murders from the civil rights movement and educates law students and the public on these critical cases. Beyond CCJI, Professor Johnson’s teaching and scholarship focus on criminal law, race, voting rights, and gender justice.

Dafni Kiritsis, Director of Externships & Career Services

As the director of the College of Law’s Pro Bono Recognition Program, Dafni Kiritsis has played a vital role in promoting pro bono work among law students. Under her leadership, students who complete 50 or more hours of qualifying pro bono work are recognized at commencement. Kiritsis also organizes the annual Pro Bono Fair and facilitates collaborations between students and local public interest attorneys.

These honorees exemplify the College of Law’s commitment to public service and advancing justice for underserved communities.

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.’”