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Syracuse University College of Law AALS 2025 Annual Meeting Participants

Several College of Law professors will be panelists, moderators, and discussants at the 2025 American Association of Law Schools Annual Meeting, Jan. 7 – 11 in San Francisco, CA.

January 8

Professor Robert Ashford

Section: Socio-economics

Event: Modern Monetary Theory, Pedagogy, and the Future of Socio-Economics

Event Role: Speaker

4:30 PM – 6 PM

Room 202, Level Two South

This panel will focus on the potential contributions of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) to socioeconomics and the study of law. In particular, the discussion will consider the role of the state, mechanisms for achieving full employment (including job guarantees), the relationship (or lack of one) between fiscal policy and inflation, the importance of community investment, and how to make these topics accessible and relevant to law students and legal scholars.

January 10

Professor Lauryn Gouldin

Section: Criminal Procedure

Event: New Perspectives on Fourth Amendment Suspicion

Event Role: Moderator

12:50 PM – 2:20 PM

Room 210, Level Two South

In many respects Fourth Amendment doctrine has evolved to expand law enforcement power to act on suspicions, frequently to the disadvantage of disfavored groups. Reversing these patterns is not just a matter of academic interest but a pressing need, amplified with the advent of more intrusive and pervasive surveillance technologies. Participants in this discussion will address the ways that suspicion is defined and constructed, its role (or failed potential) in constraining government power, the need for alternatives to suspicion to regulate mass data surveillance, and the potential for suspicion to serve as cover for bias.

Professor Nina Kohn

Section: Aging and the Law

Section Role: Executive Committee Member

Event: Marginalization of Older Adults

Event Role: Speaker

12:50 PM – 2:20 PM

Room 211 Level Two South

In alignment with the conference theme of Courage in Action, this year’s program will focus on discussing the difficulties older adults experience in accessing basic needs, including healthcare and utilization of health technology; housing, aging in place, and long-term care; employment and retirement; and estate planning. As we age, we face significant life transitions that intersect with the law in these areas as well as others that can be challenging to navigate.

January 11

Professor Cora True-Frost

Section:  Law Professors with Disabilities and Allies

Section Roles: Speaker (True-Frost)

Event: Works-in-Progress

Role: Speaker (True-Frost)

8 AM -9:30 AM

Room 211, Level Two South

A key goal of the Section is to support our members in every aspect of their careers, including their scholarship. This panel provides section members with the opportunity to present a work-in-progress and receive feedback from senior scholars and other section members.

Professor Robert Ashford

Section: Socio-Economics

Section Role: Secretary

Event: The Future of Socioeconomics

Event Role: Speaker

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM

Room 158 Upper Mezzanine Level South

The Section believes that it is time to re-think the basic relationship between law and economics. Economics was introduced into legal scholarship as a tool for conservative political positions in the 1980s. It is time to recapture this valuable branch of modern knowledge and apply it to pressing topics such as climate change, automation and employment, and the relationships between the underregulation of finance, corruption, instability, and racial inequality. Participants will explore how a combined legal, economic, and social science approach can be productively applied to these topics.

Faculty Fellow Maria Cudowska

Event: Developing Courageous Leaders: Trailblazing and Diverse Approaches to Leadership Education for Law Students

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM

Room 207 Level Two South

It has been said that a “law degree is a leadership degree” and much has been written on the need for law schools to educate leaders. Fortunately, many legal educators have responded in interesting and courageous ways. Starting with visionaries like Dean Donald Polden and Professor Deborah Rhode–both of whom courageously fought for their vision of leadership development as part of legal education–the field has continued to evolve and grow. Fortunately, leadership development and leadership education–like leadership itself–is not limited to a one-size-fits-all approach. A plethora of different approaches to leadership development have emerged recently with different focuses, tactics, and desired outcomes. In this discussion group, we will discuss and celebrate these different approaches as we look at how law schools can best develop their students into good lawyer-leaders.

Professor Emeritus William C. Banks Discusses President-elect Trump’s Use of 18th-Century Laws on Border and Citizenship Legal Challenges

Professor Emeritus William C. Banks recently spoke with CNN for the article “How Trump is banking on 18th-century laws for his border and citizenship promises.”

The Supreme Court has generally deferred to the president’s judgment to invoke the Insurrection Act, which Trump may use to justify deploying the military to deport undocumented immigrants.

“There isn’t much of a historical set of precedents to interpret laws like the Insurrection Act,” Banks said. “And the reason, ironically, is that the courts have given such a wide berth to the president to make the call about when it’s and when it’s not necessary to use the military.”

The 1807 law, Banks said gives the president “enough discretion that he could drive a truck through” its requirements to deploy the military at home, such as for immigration enforcement.

“The act allows him to do a lot on his own,” Banks added, “with very few procedural hurdles.”

Gabrielle Amaturo L’25 Invited to Speak at the ASIL Midyear Meeting

Gabrielle Amaturo L’25, editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Law and Commerce (JILC), was invited to speak at the American Society of International Law (ASIL) Midyear Meeting on the Roundtable for International Law Journal Editors.

Amaturo answered questions about the conference and its impact on JILC.

Why were you invited to the conference?

As the current Editor-in-Chief of JILC, I was invited to speak on behalf of our Journal and to collaborate with others in our field by discussing current events and approaches to running a journal. My attendance would not have been possible without the support of our advisor, Professor Cora True-Frost G’01, L’01, and the entire administration at the College of Law.

What did you learn at the conference?

I learned a lot about the variety of fields that International Law touches. I heard from scholars and professors about their upcoming research publications, and from seasoned legal practitioners about the real-time effects international law and policy have across so many sectors of life.

How will this impact your work on JILC?

From this experience, I was able to take away a deeper knowledge of running a journal and a broadened view of the level of scholarship that is being submitted for publishing. Knowing what legal scholars and professors are researching helps open our eyes to what issues of international law and commerce we want to highlight next.

How will this impact your future legal career?

Personally, this experience showed me the ways legal interests can intersect. As someone who comes from a business background and is now focusing on pursuing litigation while having interests in international law, I saw that there are career avenues that blend it together.

Is there anything else you would like current and prospective students to know about the conference?

I would recommend that students seek out and take up opportunities to attend conferences such as these. It was amazing to listen, learn, and let the legal world know about the amazing programs we have here at Syracuse Law!

First published in October of 1972, the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce is one of the oldest student-edited international law reviews in the United States.

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.”