"Syracuse University College of Law did far more than prepare me to practice law. It helped shape the judge I became."
Hon. Michael Pietruszka L'81, Judge (Ret.), Erie County Court
Syracuse Law Installs New Judicial Wall of Honor
400+ Judges. 130+ Years. One Enduring Legacy.
When Dean Terence Lau L’98 envisioned the Judicial Wall of Honor, he had a simple but powerful goal: to make visible what has always been true about Syracuse Law. That its graduates don't just enter the legal profession, they rise to lead it, including from the bench.
The wall celebrates more than 400 Syracuse Law alumni who have served as judges at every level of the American judiciary, federal and state, trial and appellate, from small claims courts to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Their reach spans the full arc of the law school's history, beginning with Judge Blake of the Class of 1897 and extending to judges serving on the bench today.
For Dean Lau, the wall is both a tribute and a teaching tool. "We want current students to look up at those names and see what's possible," he says. “The legal profession demands more than mastery of doctrine. It demands character, integrity, and a commitment to justice that outlasts any single case or career. The judges honored on this wall embody that standard.”
"Pivotal to our democracy is the rule of law, and the faithful and unbiased application of the Constitution and duly enacted laws by judges at all levels."
Hon. David Peebles L'75, United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, Northern District of New York
The wall also tells a story about path. Not every judge arrived at the bench by a straight line. Some came through decades of trial practice. Some through public service. Some through roads they never anticipated. What they share is a foundation built at Syracuse Law, and a willingness to keep building on it.
"I did not take a traditional path to law school, and I think the key to my success was embracing change and taking opportunities when they became available. If being a judge is an aspiration, do not be afraid to chase that dream and seize the opportunity in the moment."
Hon. Danielle Fogel L'04, Justice, New York State Supreme Court, Fifth Judicial District
For students with judicial ambitions, clerkships for state or federal judges offer a concrete first step to the bench. These prestigious roles offer invaluable insight into the inner workings of a courtroom and legal decision-making and allow budding attorneys the opportunity to develop their research and writing skills while working closely with judges.
Judge Rodney Thompson G’93, L’93, Presiding Judge, Family Division, New Jersey Superior Court, who has recruited or placed 11 Syracuse Law clerks and four externs over his career, believes the experiences and relationships forged in a judge's chambers prove invaluable throughout a legal career. He strongly encourages students to pursue clerkships and externships, particularly with Syracuse Law alumni on the bench.
"On my first day on the District Court bench, I wrote the following reminders on a sticky note: Be patient. Be fair. Be prepared. Show respect. Listen, and don't pre-judge. Follow the law. I left that sticky note on the bench for the judge who replaced me upon my retirement."
Hon. Rich Caschette L'79, Judge (Ret.), District Court, 18th Judicial District of Colorado
The Judicial Wall of Honor is not merely a display of achievement. It is an invitation for our current and future students to aspire, to serve, and to understand that a legal education, at its best, shapes not just what you do but who you become.
The wall was formally unveiled on Wednesday, August 26, following Justice for All: Opening Pathways to the Bench, a fireside conversation held in Dineen Hall with three distinguished members of the judiciary: Hon. Lillian Wan, Associate Justice of the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department; Hon. Meredith Vacca, United States District Judge for the Western District of New York; and Hon. Staci Dennis-Taylor L'14, Judge of Syracuse City Court. The panelists spoke candidly about the challenges of pursuing a seat on the bench and what it means to serve once you get there.
Following the conversation, the panelists joined for the wall's unveiling, welcomed by remarks from Dean Lau and Judge Thompson, before a reception brought together students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the new tribute to Syracuse Law's judicial legacy.
