Syracuse Law is at the forefront of providing its students with practical and ethical artificial intelligence skills to best leverage the rapidly evolving use of AI in the legal profession. Through classroom lectures, independent study, group projects, and research, Syracuse Law students will be ready to maximize the benefits of AI.
Professor Jack M. Graves led a one-week intensive JDi residency on the intersection of law and artificial intelligence. Students left with five key takeaways:
Understanding AI tools
Recognizing ethical risks
Applying AI in a practice setting
Anticipating regulatory challenges, and
Developing strategies to use technology responsibly.
In the spring, Professor Mary C. Szto’s “Artificial Intelligence Law and Ethics” class will look at the history of AI, including its use in the legal profession and will examine the development of AI law and ethics in the U.S. and elsewhere, and proposals for the future.
Professor of Law Emeritus William C. Banks recently discussed President Trump’s executive order directing the National Guard to support law enforcement with USA Today.
Trump has broad leeway over the DC National Guard, but is “very limited” in what he can do with the Guard in other states, said Banks. He can only unilaterally deploy state Guards under special circumstances when they are federalized, as the president did in Los Angeles.
What law student wouldn’t jump at the chance to work alongside a barrister with King’s Council (KC) status, an honor bestowed upon only the most experienced lawyers in the U.K.? Or assist judges in the Crown Court system, one of three senior courts in England and Wales?
These are just some examples of recent experiences that students undertook as part of Syracuse University College of Law’s LondonEx program. The oldest and only program of its kind in the nation — celebrating its 46th year — LondonEx has been offering law students both from Syracuse Law, as well as other ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. and Canada, a summer externship program that is a truly transformational experience.
What Makes LondonEx Unique
While other law schools offer semesters abroad or other international programs, LondonEx is unique in that it offers a fully immersive seven-week program in London. Students participate in tailored externships matched to their interests, gaining hands-on experience in a professional legal setting while refining skills and experiencing an up-close look at another legal system and culture.
“We are exposing law students to the practice of law in a global setting. Working to match their interests with outstanding opportunities, students work alongside — often at workspaces only a few feet apart from barristers, solicitors and judges,” says Andrew Horsfall, study abroad specialist for Syracuse University. “The law students are always pleasantly surprised at what their mentors do for them, when they bring them along to court, put them to work on actual research, provide meaningful feedback, and give them the opportunity to return to law school with written work product and an expanded view of the profession.”
Program Structure
Working with Syracuse Abroad and its London Centre, Faraday House, law students arrive in mid-May to embark upon the seven-week, 5-credit program.
Week One: The first week is spent in an intensive orientation that acquaints students with the British legal system through a variety of guest lecturers and cultural activities. They are immediately thrown into “Legal London” to see the Inns of Court and the Royal courts of Justice, often on the first day, in order to build context on the differences between the U.K. and U.S. legal systems before starting their placement experiences.
Weeks Two-Seven: Externships are held four days a week for a six-week period with Fridays reserved for learning activities like skills training, networking, negotiation and gaining professional insights from those working in London’s legal system, including Syracuse University alumni.
Program Conclusion: The program concludes with students presenting on topics of their choosing around a comparative aspect of law or legal culture they engaged with at their placements.
While the pace is quick, there is still time to soak in the culture of one of the world’s most dynamic cities as students take in a show in the West End, view the architecture of the Palace of Westminster, enjoy fish and chips at an authentic British pub or get a birds eye view of the Thames on the London Eye.
“Our seven-week program goes by very quickly, but its quick pace also allows students to wrap up the experience by early July with time to take on a second externship back in the U.S.— which some do every summer,” says Horsfall.
Student Perspectives
This past summer, 14 students completed the LondonEx program — seven from Syracuse Law and seven from a mix of other law schools.
Syracuse Law student Eric Boutrous L’27 chose to attend the LondonEx program for the opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience outside the U.S. He was placed under the mentorship of barrister Mark Warwick KC at Selbourne Chambers in the heart of London’s Inns of Court, where he was able to work on a variety of complex real property and civil matters involving easements, boundary disputes and professional negligence.
“I helped prepare arguments regarding implementing easements and necessity and had the opportunity to contribute research that was used in a court filing,” says Boutrous. “Presenting my work to my peers in the program challenged me to synthesize complex materials and communicate clearly the skills I know will be invaluable in my legal career.”
Boutrous also participated in a mediation session under Warwick’s supervision. “It was fascinating to observe how the parties and their legal teams approached negotiation, particularly in a system where mediation is increasingly encouraged,” he explains, noting he hopes to go into transactional law with a long-term goal of international litigation and arbitration.
Another Syracuse Law student, Kylee Peisher L’27, enjoyed the opportunity to learn a new perspective of the law while also traveling to new places. While in London, she worked for Powell Spencer & Partners Solicitors doing criminal defense work and shadowing barristers and solicitors at trials, sentencings and other steps of the criminal process.
“Before law school, I worked as a paralegal for a criminal defense attorney, so it was so interesting to learn the similarities and differences in the U.S. and U.K.’s approaches to criminal law,” she says, noting that in London she had the opportunity to watch an intense, two-week Crown Court trial from start to finish.
“It was really amazing to finally be able to sit right in the middle of it and experience it first-hand, and it definitely gave me a broader perspective. Overall, I got to see a lot of great advocacy and other lawyering skills during LondonEx that will stay with me as I start my professional career.”
Richard Everett Jr. L’26 joined the group from Creighton University School of Law. He was assigned to a judge at the Inner London Crown Court of His Majesty’s Crown Court, giving him an insightful comparison of how the American and British criminal legal systems differ.
His favorite part of the experience, however, was conferring over lunch with the judges on a daily basis. “This hour provided me with unprecedented access to the Crown Court judges, giving me the opportunity to ask questions about the proceedings I observed on a given day and clarify any points of confusion I may have had.”
After completing law school, Everett, who is currently an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve, will be joining the Navy’s Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corp.
“Syracuse’s LondonEx program has allowed me to observe how the criminal justice system of one of our allies functions,” he explains. “It’s crucial to be as diverse as possible in a global environment, especially when your job can take you anywhere in the world.”
A Lasting Impact
The experience of this year’s LondonEx program, as well as those over the past four decades, have left indelible impressions on the law students who have participated in this unique and up-close experience.
“London itself is a magnetic city full of history, culture and excitement, but that’s just the start of what our LondonEx students experience here as they enjoy unprecedented exposure to the people and places that truly represent a dynamic legal culture and system that is different from what they have been studying in law school,” says Horsfall. “Professionally, it can become a game changer for many students.”
See more information on Syracuse University College of Law’s LondonEx program. The deadline to apply for Summer 2026 is February 1.
Professor of Law Katherine Macfarlane recently served as lead author for a law professors’ amicus brief filed in Boe v. Marshall, an Eleventh Circuit appeal involving judge-shopping sanctions. The brief builds upon Macfarlane’s recent article “Constitutional Case Assignment”, published in the North Carolina Law Review. Law360 reported on the filing of the amicus brief and the underlying case here.
Professor Macfarlane is a leading expert in civil procedure and civil rights litigation and directs the College of Law’s Disability Law and Policy Program.
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:
“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
“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
“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
“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
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.
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.”
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’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.
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.
