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Clerkships Offer Invaluable Learning Option for New Graduates, Foster Relationships with Alumni Judges

While many students who graduate from the Syracuse University College of Law are hired straight into law firms, corporations, government agencies and nonprofits, some choose another route: one or two-year clerkships for state or federal judges. These prestigious roles offer invaluable insight into the innerworkings of courtroom operations and legal decision making and give budding attorneys the opportunity to develop their research and writing skills while working closely with judges.

“There is no better way to understand the legal profession than by securing a clerkship — from learning how decisions are made to seeing how a good lawyer should conduct him or herself in the courtroom,” says Hon. Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., L’64, senior U.S. District Court judge. “And, of course, you’ll be honing your skills in writing, which is key to the practice of law in federal courts.”

Hon. Stewart Aaron L’82, U.S. magistrate judge, Southern District of New York, adds, “Clerks get invaluable experience in how the process works on the court side and how judges go about analyzing cases, managing caseloads and making decisions. Learning how judges think and the practical things they need are invaluable.”

The Pathway to Clerkships

Clerkships offer recent graduates a unique opportunity to work closely with judges who provide mentorship, guidance and insight into the judicial process. At Syracuse Law, the Faculty Clerkship Committee, led by Associate Teaching Professors Laurie Hobart G’16 and Richard Wallach L’06, supports students throughout the highly competitive application process. With clerkships often secured by top-performing graduates, the committee helps students plan and position themselves for success in securing these prestigious roles.

Students typically apply for clerkships in the late spring and summer before their final year of law school. Those in the Class of 2026, for example, who are interested in a clerkship are in the midst of doing so now, according to Dafni Kiritsis L’97, director of externships and career services.

“We hope students will start thinking about clerking opportunities early on, and we are here to help them plan ahead as to what classes to take or the importance of being involved in something like Law Review or another law journal in order to make them stronger candidates,” Kiritsis explains. “Even if you don’t plan to be a litigator, it’s the experience that matters — the chance to work closely with extraordinary legal minds, perfect your writing and research skills, better understand how case law is drafted, and make and forge invaluable professional relationships. It’s some of the best legal training that you can get, and, if you succeed, will greatly benefit your career prospects.”

The Syracuse Advantage: Tapping into the Orange Law Network

Thanks to the strength of the Orange law network, many Syracuse Law graduates have been securing clerkships with judges who also call the College of Law their alma mater. It is a testament to both the alumni loyalty and the caliber of the recent graduates.

“Syracuse Law students have been a great source for me for hiring clerks, and I’ve had terrific experiences with them,” says Scullin. “Any federal district court judge would tell you that law clerks are the essence of your decision making. They pull things together and provide accurate and thorough information. It’s important to have term law clerks, and I’m proud to take them from my alma mater. I think we have an obligation to do that.”

Aaron feels much the same, explaining, “I enjoyed my time at Syracuse Law and feel a connection to the school and its students. Those from Syracuse have a grounding in how things work in not just the theoretical but the practical, which is very important to me as a magistrate judge.”

Another judge who is happy to “hire Orange” is Hon. Rodney Thompson G’93, L’93, a New Jersey Superior Court judge.

“I was exceptionally prepared to enter the practice of law, as the professors, moot court and clinical experiences were top notch. When I became a superior court judge and needed a law clerk, Syracuse was my first and only call,” says Thompson. “While clerking may present what initially appears to be a financial sacrifice, most law clerks actually do better over the long term in terms of preparation and financial stability. After a successful clerkship and a good recommendation from their judges, many law clerks will be rewarded by law firms and government agencies with higher starting salaries.  Syracuse was very good to me in the form of an excellent legal education, made possible by scholarships, and I feel duty bound to pay it forward.”

Clerks at Work

Syracuse Law graduates have clerked across the country and share their perspectives on why the experience was transformative:

Nate Linton headshot in front of a wood background

“I decided to pursue a clerkship because I thought it would be a strong foundation for the start of my legal career. As legal research, analysis and writing in general are critical to the practice of law, a clerkship is ideal in solidifying concepts taught in law school by providing real life experience. Every day, I am exposed to various areas of the law, and I have the opportunity to work with experienced clerks who provide invaluable insight and guidance on how to improve. The skills and knowledge I have acquired so far will be transferable to any practice area of law I decide to pursue.”

–Nate Linton L’24

Currently clerking as a court attorney for the New York Court of Appeals Central Legal Research Staff

Headshot of Emily Pascale

“I was drawn to clerking, particularly for a federal judge, given my interest in constitutional law and love of legal writing. I also knew that a clerkship would allow me to engage with complex legal issues early on in my career. During my clerkship I gained a unique perspective on how judges approach decision making, which has helped me improve my persuasive writing and influences how I present my arguments to a court.”

–Emily Pascale L’23

Clerked for the Hon. William Q. Hayes ‘79, G’83, L’83, United States District judge for the Southern District of California; currently a practicing attorney in healthcare and professional liability defense at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani in Raleigh, North Carolina

Headshot of Zebadayo in front of a gray wall

“Clerking was a great chance to work under a judge and learn more about the court environment behind the scenes. When you work for a judge, your writing and research both improve because of the level of specificity that is required. Also, working with court staff teaches you all the ins-and-outs, and the various deadlines help with time management and triaging.”

–Zebedayo Masongo L’22

Clerked for the Hon. Rodney Thompson G’93, L’93, New Jersey Superior Court judge; currently deputy attorney general, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

Headshot of Lotta Lampela in front of a gray wall

“I love to research and write, so a clerkship seemed like the ideal placement to keep practicing those skills. It was a personal challenge, and I wanted to show myself that I could do it, despite a background in a civil law system. I have only positives to report, and I have learned so much, both about the American legal system in practice and this state (Vermont) in general. Thanks to the clerkship, I’ve become familiar with all the areas of law, including those I did not study in my LL.M. program, and thus it has prepared me for practicing law here. The judges are willing to guide you forward and also provide recommendations, and, I know that a clerkship can open doors further down the road.”

–Lotta Lampela L’23, (LL.M.)

Currently clerking for three judges and covering all dockets for the Vermont Superior Court

Professor Shubha Ghosh Publishes “Exhaustion of Intellectual Property Rights” Book and Curates the IP Exhaustion Jam Playlist

Crandall Melvin Professor of Law Shubha Ghosh, Director of the Syracuse Intellectual Property Law Institute, has published the book, “Exhaustion of Intellectual Property Rights”, with Edward Elgar Publishing.

According to the publisher, “This book examines the exhaustion doctrine of intellectual property (IP) rights, under which the rights of an IP owner are terminated after a predetermined exercise of those rights. It situates the law of IP exhaustion against a backdrop of legislative debate, policy, and technological developments across jurisdictions.”

He has also curated the IP Exhaustion Jam playlist that humorously and subtly comments on the themes in his book through songs.

Professor Nina Kohn Discusses Nursing Home Oversight

Board of Advisors Professor of Law Nina Kohn recently spoke with the Garden City Telegram on the lack of nursing home oversight throughout the country.

High death rates among nursing home residents and poor infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the deadly ramifications of a chronically understaffed industry. But Nina Kohn, a law professor at Syracuse University, said that in the years since, most states have failed to enforce regulations that would prevent similar crises from happening in the future.

“The fact that we’re continuing to see inadequate oversight even after we learned, amid the pandemic, how dangerous that could be suggests that nursing home residents really aren’t a priority for our public officials,” she said.

And because around three-fourths of nursing home residents pay for their care primarily through Medicaid and Medicare, a lax regulatory environment can also enable fraud and misuse of tax dollars.

“The state is paying for incredibly vulnerable people to be in institutions, and we don’t have the most basic oversight of whether those institutions are caring for people in a way that is safe,” Kohn said. “We also don’t have the oversight needed to ensure that taxpayer money is being used to provide the care the taxpayers are paying for.”

The article may be behind a paywall.

Professor of Law Emeritus William C. Banks Discusses the Posse Comitatus Act with the Associated Press

Professor of Law Emeritus William C. Banks recently provided historical context of the Posse Comitatus Act, the law that regulates when federal troops can intervene in state issues, in the wake of National Guard troops being deployed to Washington, D.C., to the AP.

The law was enacted in 1878 following the post-Civil War era known as Reconstruction. Pro-segregationist representatives in Congress wanted to keep the military from blocking the enforcement of Jim Crow laws that allowed racial segregation.

Banks notes that, “the spirit of the law also has roots going all the way back to the Revolutionary War, when the founders of the United States were scarred by the British monarchy’s absolute military control.”

“We have a tradition in the United States, which is more a norm than a law, that we want law enforcement to be conducted by civilians, not the military,” Banks said.

Banks is the co-author, along with Stephen Dycus, of Soldiers on the Home Front: The Domestic Role of the American Military, which examines the Posse Comitatus Act.

Syracuse Law Holds Transnational Lawyering in the European Union Course in Poland

Syracuse Law’s week-long summer course Transnational Lawyering in the European Union, held in Warsaw, Poland, and at the Faculty of Law of the University of Bialystok in Bialystok, brings together law students representing two legal traditions: the U.S. common law system and the European (Polish and E.U.) civil law system. Syracuse Law students and University of Bialystok law students learned about global legal practices between the U.S. and the E.U., gaining an understanding of the similarities and differences in substantive law, as well as in the ways foreign lawyers think and practice.

Students participated in joint class discussions, group projects, and onsite visits to legal institutions such as courts, law firms, and NGOs to shape their perspectives on the operational dynamics and legal professions within the E.U. The course was taught by Adjunct Professor Izabela Krasnicka.

Syracuse Law Holds Third Annual Comparative Trial Advocacy Course in London, UK

For the past three summers, the College of Law has held its week-long Comparative Trial Advocacy course in London, UK. The course features site visits to courts in London, followed by an afternoon lecture and discussion with expert guest speakers. This year, students visited four different courts and heard from three different speakers. The speakers presented a comparative analysis of the UK and U.S. court systems, specifically focusing on civil litigation, criminal trials, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Comparative Trial Advocacy was developed by Professor Todd Berger, Director of Syracuse Law’s Advocacy Program, who also teaches the course. The course is also expertly supported by Andrew Horsfall, the law school’s Study Abroad Specialist.

Mary Kate Tramontano L’26 Wins Top Student Paper in the Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communications Law and Policy Division Paper Competition

Mary Kate Tramontano L’26 won the Top Student Paper (first place) in the Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC) Law and Policy Division paper competition.

Tramontano will present her paper, “Failure to Disclose: The Federal Trade Commission’s Role in Ensuring Online Endorsements are Properly Disclosed”, at the AEJMC annual conference in August.

“Mary Kate prevailed over more than 50 papers submitted from top communications law research institutions across the country and blind judged by noted communications law scholars,” says Professor Roy Gutterman L’00 who is the faculty advisor for Tramontano’s paper.

From the abstract: This paper examines the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) endorsement regulations and their enforcement against social media influencers. It explores past FTC actions against violators and the limitations imposed by commercial speech and First Amendment doctrines. Ultimately, the paper recommends strategies for enforcing FTC guidelines while upholding First Amendment principles.

NASCAR Internship Puts 3L on the Right Track to Career in Sports Law

A lifelong NASCAR fan, Jenna Mazza L’26 has a photo of herself at age 4 standing with legendary driver Jimmie Johnson’s diecast car. So, imagine her elation when she had the opportunity to take a photograph with Johnson himself this May at the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Jenna at age 4, standing with legendary driver Jimmie Johnson’s diecast car.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is just one of the many benefits that came along as Mazza spent her summer working in NASCAR’s legal department in Charlotte, North Carolina. NASCAR’s Internship Program includes opportunities for law students to learn about various areas that its legal department deals with daily. Mazza had the opportunity to learn about and draft contracts for licensing agreements, real estate issues with various racetracks, intellectual property (IP) use, privacy and media law.  During her internship, Mazza was also able to attend a screening of American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans, which began streaming on Amazon Prime in June, while learning about rights and clearances and music licensing.

Jenna smiles with Jimmie Johnson in May of 2025 at the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“I’ve learned so much and gotten exposure to the variety of work a legal department undertakes in a sports environment,” says Mazza, who will be a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law this fall.

Mazza has long had her sights on working in sports law with a particular interest in areas related to IP, like copyrights, trademarks and licensing of team logos. And while she’d be thrilled to build a career with any sports organization, the opportunity to work with NASCAR was a dream come true. Not only did she gain legal experience, but this NASCAR fan also enjoyed the chance to be right where the action is — going into the pits and the infield, and attending not only the Coca-Cola 600 but also the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race and the developmental Arca Menards Series for prospective drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Jenna and her fellow Intern Group in Victory Lane at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The internship program really immerses you into all aspects of NASCAR and makes it a great experience for the interns, not only in terms of preparing you for what it’s like to work as a general counsel in a sports organization but also to get a first-hand look at the innerworkings of the sport itself,” she says.

While her knowledge of NASCAR may have helped her secure this prestigious internship, the lessons learned at Syracuse Law, particularly classes she took as a 2L, provided her with the baseline legal knowledge in areas like intellectual property law and sports law that she believes also gave her a competitive edge.

Mazza adds the NASCAR internship to a list of other experiential learning opportunities she has had while at Syracuse Law, including working on two Congressional campaigns, an internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and another internship for the Oneida County (NY) Public Defenders Office.

As she returns to Syracuse Law to complete her degree, she hopes to use her hard-earned legal experience with some type of sports organization or a law firm that specializes in sports law after graduation. However, she can’t help but to hope to eventually return to work for NASCAR.

“My internship at NASCAR has shown me that anything is possible, just as in this sport, where you can start from the back of the grid and still win the race,” she says. “The skills I’ve learned and the opportunity to be where the action is on the track are experiences I’ll never forget. And it’s very exciting to imagine what might be ahead for me.”

Jenna stands in front of the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Dean Terence Lau Discusses the Effects of Tariffs on the Auto Industry

Dean Terence Lau L’98, a former general counsel for Ford Motor Co.’s International Trade and Transactions practice group, recently spoke with CBS News Money Watch and the Detroit Free Press about the effects of tariffs on the auto industry.

U.S. automakers including Ford, GM and Stellantis have recently warned that higher U.S. tariffs will reduce their profits by billions of dollars. That is likely to increase new car prices, Lau said to CBS News Money Watch.

“My advice to consumers back in April was that they should wait to buy cars,” said Lau, who expects dealer prices for 2026 models to rise between 4% and 6%. “In August, my advice is to buy now.”

Lau said to the Detroit Free Press, “The Detroit 3 are being squeezed. The tariff on steel and aluminum, as well as on imported vehicles from their foreign subsidiaries, is hurting them deeply.”

From Cheering in the Dome to Interning in the Nation’s Capital, Lela Lanier L’26 Is Making the Most of Her Syracuse Law Experience

Whether she’s cheering for the Orange in the JMA Wireless Dome or spending her summer interning at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) in the nation’s capital, Lela Lanier L’26 is making the most of the resources and opportunities available to her through the Syracuse University College of Law.

When Lanier decided to attend law school, she knew she wanted to go somewhere she could pursue her interests in advocating for those with disabilities, take on topics related to civil rights and also continue her passion for cheerleading. While that might sound like a tall order, she found her place at Syracuse Law.

Lela Lanier sits in front of an LDF sign that is full of books in the lobby of the NAACP

A rising 3L, Lanier worked at the LDF this summer in Washington, D.C., as a litigation intern. This gave her a chance to focus on impact litigation around issues of civil rights that ranged from racial injustice, economic injustice, voting participation, criminal justice and desegregation.

Two specific projects assigned to her during the LDF internship focused on researching the reproductive freedom and the rights of Black women and also desegregation in education examining disciplinary action that disproportionately targets Black students.

“The work was so fulfilling, and I was proud to be a part of it. I thrived off of the passion of the attorneys at the LDF, most of whom were people of color working for the betterment of our community. I could see their passion and goals of helping people, and it was so refreshing,” she says. “There are a lot of civil liberties in question right now, but I am proud to have contributed and was fortunate to have so many opportunities tailored to the kind of work I want to do in the future. It was just an incredible experience for me overall.”

As she prepares to return to campus at the end of the summer break, Lanier will gear up not only for her final year of law school but also her last year as a member of the Syracuse University cheer team. While few law students take part in Syracuse athletics, Lanier has cheered throughout her time at the College of Law and will complete her last year of eligibility during the 2025-26 academic year. She has been involved in competitive cheerleading since high school, participating at Towson University, where she majored in deaf studies, volunteered with Deaf and Deaf Blind communities and developed her passion for disability rights.

“When I started law school, my plan was to take advantage of every opportunity I was given, and I think I’ve done a good job of that,” she says. “I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and struck a good balance with my coursework and various co-curricular activities, while showing others it’s possible to take advantage of all that Syracuse Law has to offer and still pursue a law degree.”

In addition to cheerleading, those co-curricular opportunities include serving as the incoming vice president for the Black Law Students Association; a student outreach coordinator for the Disabled Law Student Association; a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society; and the incoming editor-in-chief of the Journal of Global Rights and Organizations, for which she is working on a paper about accessibility to voting rights in Nigeria. Last summer, she also completed an internship with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund in San Francisco, where she saw first-hand the impact of litigation through some groundbreaking cases.

These experiences, along with her classes at the College of Law,  have expanded her world view on the scope of disability law. “I think my professors have been so instrumental in how I’m learning law and in explaining the fantastic history of constitutional law,” Lanier says. “It’s important that people understand that we, as Americans, have a lot of protections that have been put into place, but right now many are at risk of being taken away.”

In addition, Lanier is eager to explore her options when it comes to her legal career.

Lela Lanier stands while holding a book and wearing a black suit at her NAACP internship

“Right now, I’m open to all possibilities. I want to go into some kind of disability law and/or civil rights law for a nonprofit— but then maybe it will be civil litigation. I’m just looking forward to soaking in everything I can during my last year here, and I’m so appreciative for all the opportunities Syracuse has afforded me,” she says. “When we receive our degrees at graduation next May, you can be sure I’ll be the one cheering for each and every classmate as they cross that finish line alongside me.”