News

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

August 6, 2025

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.”

Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law and the University of Bergen Faculty of Law Hosts National Security Scholars at First Transatlantic Alliance for Law, Outreach, and National Security Conference

July 29, 2025

The Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law (SPL) and the University of Bergen Faculty of Law recently hosted a group of national security scholars from 16 universities and 12 states at the first Transatlantic Alliance for Law, Outreach, and National Security (TALONS) Conference at the University of Bergen, Norway.

Scholars and officials from sixteen universities and institutions from the frontline states came together for the topic, “Best Practices in National Security Law: The Frontline State Perspective.” The conference included participants from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the United States.

The Conference had four goals:

(1) establish an ongoing and lasting alliance of security scholars in the frontline states committed to teaching national security law;

(2) create an ongoing forum to exchange ideas about national security and teaching national security in the frontline states;

(3) give participants an opportunity to publish their work and reach a wider audience; and (4) identify best practices derived from experience to help all the frontline states to identify and address present and future security threats and do so consistent with our shared legal and democratic values.

Outcomes from the Conference were immediate:

• The Eastern European Journal of Transnational Relations will publish articles on the conference and its key findings, and articles from conference participants on topics ranging from Russia’s efforts to subvert the Romanian presidential election, hybrid warfare, cybersecurity, and Russian and Chinese threats to the Arctic.

• University of Bialystok Professor and JDi Distinguished Lecturer Charles Szymański, with the Hon. James E. Baker, Director of Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law, will edit as well as contribute to a treatise on National Security Law in the Frontline States.

• The University of Eastern Finland will host the Second Annual TALONS Conference on Best Practices in National Security Law in June 2026.

“The Conference was the culmination of several years’ work on furthering the field of national security law in the wake of the war in Ukraine,” says Baker. “The free exchange of ideas and recommendations that resulted from the Conference is critical to supporting the frontline states and, in the case of Ukraine, preparing for post-conflict resolution.”

Baker continues, “Law is both a democratic and national security value. At a time when law and security are threatened, recognizing and communicating these values is vital. Courage loves company. And as with any alliance – and this is an academic alliance based on shared values – one cannot overemphasize the importance of showing up.”

Professor Gregory Germain Discusses Birthright Citizenship Case

July 25, 2025

Professor Gregory Germain provided insight into the Blaze article on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Trump’s birthright citizenship case.

“I disagree with the 9th Circuit that the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause is clear on its face,” said Germain. “The clause on its face contains a limitation on birthright citizenship, requiring that the child be ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the U.S. Why was that language put in the Constitution if it was intended to be meaningless? So that language means something — the issue is what it means.”

Germain noted that the Supreme Court held in the case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark that:

“Children born to permanent residents were subject to the jurisdiction of the United States even though the parents were citizens of China. But the Court also held that children of foreign soldiers occupying U.S. land or diplomats (or Indians) were not “subject to the jurisdiction” and not citizens. So the Court recognized that there were some exceptions to birthright citizenship, but did not clearly define them.”

Professor Katherine Macfarlane Contributes “Disability Documentation and Disability Discrimination” to Human Rights Magazine

July 24, 2025

Professor Katherine Macfarlane, Director of the College of Law’s Disability Law and Policy Program, has contributed the article “Disability Documentation and Disability Discrimination” to Human Rights Magazine, a publication of the American Bar Association’s Civil Rights and Social Justice Section.

The article examines how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has evolved to perpetuate the medical model of disability, rather than the social model of disability, regarding documentation of a disability to receive accommodations. The article features a personal experience Macfarlane encountered when requesting accommodation for a disability.

Macfarlane writes, “Documentation of disability can be so expensive that it is impossible for people with disabilities to obtain it. However, documentation requirements also impose costs on the employers — and colleges and universities — that create them. Someone must collect and review the documentation. Follow-up requests for additional documentation, which are common, are also time-consuming. The bureaucracy that has arisen around the documentation requirement is incredibly expensive. And for what? Is it truly necessary to have an employee on staff whose sole job is reviewing forms and records submitted by a person asking for an additional restroom break? What do we accomplish with bloated systems like these?

Not much, I argue. It’s time for the extra-statutory documentation requirements to be re-examined, if not abandoned outright. This sort of change can happen immediately. No law requires documentation.”

Macfarlane will participate in the ABA webinar “Disability Rights: A Conversation with Human Rights Magazine Authors.” The free webinar is scheduled for Friday, July 25, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET. Register at: https://www.americanbar.org/events-cle/mtg/web/452129295/?login

The article appears in the July 2025 issue on Disability Rights: The Work Continues.

Student Veteran Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 Honored as a Tillman Scholar

July 23, 2025

“Now what am I supposed to do with my life?” Veterans often face this question as they transition from active duty to civilian life. The thought terrified U.S. Marine Corps veteran Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 when he contemplated his future in the spring of 2019.

Today, Ruscitto is a two-time Syracuse graduate and a rising second-year law student in the College of Law.

3L Serves as Co-President of Disability Law Society, Aims for Career in National Security Law in D.C.

July 22, 2025

A 3L at Syracuse University College of Law, Kaitlin Sommer L’26 is always planning ahead. Throughout her life, she has continuously asked herself, “Is there a better or more efficient way to do this?”, “Am I advocating for what I need?”, “How can I figure this out by myself?” And, while this way of operating is a great skillset for any lawyer, Sommer has developed this method out of necessity and independence, as she navigates the world as a wheelchair user, as well as a child of Deaf adults (CODA).

Sommer attended Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as a political science major for her undergraduate degree as part of a 3+3 program with Syracuse Law, which allows students to transfer from RIT to the Law School after three years to finish their bachelor’s degree and at the same time start studying law.

As she prepares for her last year at Syracuse Law, Sommer has taken full advantage of many of the opportunities that come from being a law student—attending the Ms. JD Fall 2024 Leadership Academy Intensive hosted by the Harvard Women’s Law Association at Harvard Law School, and presenting at her alma mater’s third annual Together RIT: A Day of Dialogue centered on the theme of Deaf culture, disability and neurodiversity in her first ever public speaking appearance.

In January, Sommer added another responsibility to her already busy schedule: co-president of the Disability Law Society (DLS) at Syracuse Law, a position she shares with Emely Recinos L’26. The organization serves as a community for students with disabilities and their allies at Syracuse Law, while also raising awareness and providing related information across the greater University.

“This is a new venture that I’m really excited about. We are a small group of students at Syracuse Law, and it’s important that we have our voices heard,” she says, noting that only about 1.4% of lawyers in the U.S. self-identify as having a disability according to the American Bar Association. “Emely, who also has a disability, and I have a new take, which revolves around being more vocal about disabled students’ experiences and how the University can best support us. I want the Disability Law Society to see where we can set permanent roots and have a noticeable space to make our voices heard. And, of course, having this kind of community at the Law School has helped me to know that I’m not alone.”

When Sommer started at Syracuse Law, it seemed to make sense that she go into disability law, but some great advice from Professor of Law Katherine Macfarlane, a leading expert on civil rights litigation, disability law, and civil procedure, gave her the freedom to consider other areas, as well.

“Professor Macfarlane said that just because I’m a person with a disability doesn’t mean I have to go into disability law,” Sommer explains. “She made me see that being a disabled person in any legal space is also representative, and my personal experience will make me a better professional no matter which field of law I choose. She has been such a good mentor and support system for me and has encouraged me to advocate for what I want and need.”

Now, Sommer is very interested in pursuing national security law, while possibly finding a way to intersect that with disability law, too. She has since taken courses through Syracuse Law’s National Security Program and is working on her Certificate of Advanced Study in National Security and Counterterrorism.

Her hope is to live and work in Washington, D.C., in the future. As an undergraduate, she interned for Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY) in the nation’s capital. Sommer recently completed an intern at the POPVOX Foundation, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for improvements in Congress. And, this summer, she is interning with The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm, PLLC, in Washington, D.C. Despite these impressive opportunities, she is eager to learn more through her coursework and seek out other experiences to prepare to graduate from Syracuse Law in 2026.

Kaitlin Sommer leafs through a book and looks at the pages, wearing a black dress

“Having a disability does make things harder, but, at the end of the day, I’m so grateful. My own life experiences, along with lessons from the Law School, like critical thinking, have really helped me see how important it is to assess facts to see if what seems to be true really is true. This has made me a more open-minded person and will make me a better lawyer, too,” she says.

“After all, I never want people to make assumptions about me just because I use a wheelchair. I hope to be a positive example of a compassionate and knowledgeable disabled lawyer who can better connect with my work through my life experiences, and Syracuse Law is helping me get there.”

College of Law’s Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic Receives New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Justice for Heroes Grant

July 22, 2025

Syracuse University College of Law’s Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) has been awarded a Justice for Heroes grant by the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services. This competitive grant provides funding for the VLC to deliver high-demand legal services to veterans in Central New York. The College of Law is one of just five law schools in New York State selected for this honor.

“This grant will enable the VLC to build upon its 10-year track record of delivering exceptional level services and representation to the veteran community and their families,” said Professor Elizabeth Kubala, Director of the VLC. “This grant program demonstrates New York State’s dedication to improving the lives of veterans and their ongoing support of law school outreach programs.”

With this funding, the VLC will expand its legal support for local veterans and launch a new initiative to serve military-connected students, faculty, and staff at Syracuse University—a first-of-its-kind effort in higher education. The grant will also strengthen the College of Law’s capacity to provide legal representation in areas such as VA health and disability benefits, while simultaneously training the next generation of veteran-focused legal advocates.

“The Veterans Legal Clinic exemplifies our commitment to experiential learning, community service, and public interest law,” said Terence Lau, Dean of Syracuse University College of Law. “We are proud of the clinic’s impact and grateful to the Department of Veterans’ Services for supporting this important work.”

“Working in the VLC has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my law school journey,” said Raul Rosique L’27, a student attorney and Navy veteran. “This grant will help ensure more veterans get the legal support they deserve, while giving students like me the chance to serve those who’ve served our country.”

The Veterans Legal Clinic represents veterans and their families in claims for VA benefits and military discharge upgrades. Student attorneys, under faculty supervision, gain hands-on experience with real clients, navigating federal agencies, and honing their legal skills—all while learning the value of pro bono service and engaging directly with military culture.

Syracuse University Volunteer of the Year: Giving Back Strengthens our Alma Mater and Our Profession

July 14, 2025

What happens when the person who is usually giving out awards gets selected to receive one?

“It was a surprise. I don’t think of myself as a volunteer. Working with students and giving back is just what we do as attorneys. It was very kind of the Alumni Association and I am truly honored to be the recipient,” said Kim Wolf Price L’03.

Wolf Price received the 2025 Syracuse University Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is given in “the greatest expression of appreciation for alumni who have devoted themselves to long-term and consistent volunteerism and service to Syracuse University.” The Syracuse University Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Engagement presents the award annually.

Wolf Price frequently visits Dineen Hall as a guest speaker or panelist for Youth Law Day, Girls Rule the Law Day, Admitted Student Days, Orientation, and state and local bar association events.

In addition, Wolf Price often speaks with current Syracuse Law students and recent alums, hosts Syracuse University’s Pre-law Society for tours, and makes connections for other programs at Bond, Schoeneck, and King where she is the Chief Strategy Officer.

“We try to make connections at Bond with Syracuse University in many ways. Of course we are engaged at the law school, but we also have connections with Whitman, IVMF and other parts of campus as well,” she says. “The firm also hires a lot of College of Law graduates. But we don’t just work with the students we might hire. I get calls from students or young alums who have questions about their career path, want to network, and are seeking advice from me or someone else at the firm frequently.”

Being a volunteer with Syracuse University comes naturally to Wolf Price. “I am very lucky. I am the first in my family to get a bachelor’s degree (from Colgate University) and the first J.D. I got a full ride from Syracuse, and it opened entirely new career opportunities for me. I want to make sure I can pay that forward. It’s second nature to be involved in projects that affect the current law students and the undergrads,” says Wolf Price.

After graduating from Syracuse Law, Wolf Price and her husband Fred (who met on the first day of law school) ventured to New York City to start their legal careers. Later, they returned to Syracuse with Fred going to Bond as an attorney and Wolf Price landing at her alma mater in the Career Services department. She held several senior leadership roles, reaching Assistant Dean for Career Services, until returning to private practice at Bond in 2020.

One of her accomplishments at the College of Law was being the co-founder (along with Professor Lauryn Gouldin) of the Syracuse Civics Initiative. The Syracuse Civics Initiative develops community-facing civics education programming in partnership with other departments at the University, local judges and attorneys, and community organizations that support civics education.

Wolf Price has very simple advice for any alum looking to get involved with the University. “Every little bit matters. Even if it’s a mock interview with a student, you get just as much back as you have given. It strengthens our community, our institution and our profession,” she says.

“I realized how each of us can impact other people with small actions. If we take a few minutes to answer those questions that a student might have or take part in a panel discussion, speak in a class because you may have a certain knowledge base that’s helpful, you can make a big difference. It doesn’t take as much time as you think it does.”

During her comments at the Alumni Awards ceremony, she said, “This is an honor I am deeply grateful for it. I am not great at receiving awards, probably better at giving them but thank you very much I am deeply humbled.”

Professor Suzette Meléndez Honored with a 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award

July 3, 2025

Professor Suzette Meléndez, Director of the Syracuse Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, was honored with a 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award at their 45th Annual Freedom Fund Award Dinner. Meléndez received the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom & Justice Award.

“It is an honor to receive the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom & Justice Award. I feel connected to Hurclee Maye, Judge Langston McKinney, and Henry Melchor in their dedication to making legal services accessible to all people in the CNY community, and through the clinics I have led, hope to have built on their legacy,” says Meléndez. “It’s also very special that Maye and Judge McKinney are College of Law alums. I am especially grateful for the mentorship of the late Judge McKinney who guided and supported me in my work at the law school.”