Law Review Honors Accomplishments, Alumnus

The Syracuse Law Review hosted its annual banquet on April 12. The group celebrated the accomplishments of the Volume 68 staff, including the implementation of a new editing system, a new cover design, the creation of an Alumni Editor position, and the publishing of three themed issues and the Survey of New York Law. In addition, the group honored Philip Rossetti L’81 (pictured) of Latham & Watkins with the Alumni Achievement Award, as well as three College of Law administrators—Kim Wolf Price L’03, Deborah O’Malley, and Courtney Abbott Hill L’09—with distinguished service awards. The Law Review also announced the six Notes and two alternates for publication in Volume 69.

College of Law Hosts International Scholars

On April 11, the College featured two lectures by international scholars from Palestine and Italy. The photo shows Palestinian LL.M. student Cathrine Abuamsha, who—with fellow Palestinian and LL.M. candidate Yasmin Khamis—spoke to faculty and students about the practice of law in Palestine and international law in the context of occupation, settlement, the separation wall, and Jerusalem. On the same day, Dr. Luca Arnaudo, of LUISS Guido Carli University, Rome, was a guest of Professor Robin Malloy. Arnaudo is an expert on law and economics, with a focus on antitrust and regulation.

TCLP Info Session Features Alumni

The Technology Commercialization Law Program (TCLP) hosted an information session on April 11 in Dineen Hall for students interested in innovation law, intellectual property, and entrepreneurship, as well as practical, hands-on experiences in these fields. The guest speakers were alums Benjamin Bergan L’11, James Zino L’14, Brian Restauro L’14, and Erin Phillips L’15, who are all building successful careers in the IP law field.

Sports Law Goes Up to Bat

The accompanying photo is from the second panel of the well-organized and well-attended fourth annual Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium, held on April 6. In the photo, professors Laura Lape and George McGuire ’91, L’96, and DLA Piper’s Matthew Ganas discuss “Current intellectual property issues facing the entertainment industry.” Kevin Belbey L’16, of IF Management/The Montag Group, moderated. Other panels examined the NCAA basketball FBI investigation, amateurism, and rules of professional conduct. This year’s symposium marked the first time CLE credits were offered to attorneys in the audience. Other speakers included Justin DiTolla, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Syracuse University; Richard Katz, President & CEO, KMG Sports Management; and Gregg Brandon L’01, Vice President & General Counsel, Buffalo Bills. See the full list of speakers here.

Professor of Practice David M. Crane L’80 Announces Retirement from the College of Law

After teaching as a Professor of Practice at his alma mater since 2006, David M. Crane L’80 has announced that he will retire from the College of Law in August 2018. Crane has taught international criminal law, international humanitarian law, military law, and national security law. As a faculty member of INSCT, he developed interdisciplinary projects and courses with colleagues from across the University, including, most recently, a innovative course on media and atrocities with Professor Ken Harper of the Newhouse School.

Distinguished Scholar Joins BBI

Arie Rimmerman, the Richard Crossman Chair for Social Welfare and Planning, and Distinguished Faculty Member in the School of Social Work, Social Welfare, and Health Studies at the University of Haifa, Israel, has been appointed a Senior Fellow at the Burton Blatt Institute. “We are extremely honored to have Professor Rimmerman join us to collaborate on the interpretation and development of public policy and law related to persons with disabilities and their families,” says BBI Chairman Peter Blanck.

“Our Discreet & Insular Founders”

Visiting Professor Liam O’Melinn discussed “Our Discrete and Insular Founders: American ‘Degeneracy,’ the American Revolution, and the New Republic” as part of the Faculty Colloquia Series on April 5. Teaching Constitutional Law at Syracuse this spring, O’Melinn is a Professor at Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law.

Students Discover “eDiscovery”

On March 28, students in Professor Gary J. Pieples’ Fact Investigation and Analysis course listened attentively to an animated and fascinating lecture by alumnus Kevin Saunders L’97, a Partner at Nixon Peabody. Saunders discussed eDiscovery, or the identification and collection of electronically stored information in response to a law suit or investigation. Saunders told the students always to be careful about what they post online; he has often turned to social media posts as evidence in lawsuits.

VISION Holds Veterans’ Mental Health Panel

On March 26, the Veterans’ Issues and Support Initiative and Outreach Network (VISION) held a panel discussion with Kynna Murphy-Collins, a mental health professional and Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator with the VA, and Yelena Duterte, Director of the Wohl Family Veterans Legal Clinic. They discussed the ways in which they provide access to resources for veterans suffering from mental illness.

IP Society Hosts USPTO Expert

On March 28, the Intellectual Property Law Society hosted a networking/mentoring lunch with Craig Morris, Managing Attorney for Trademark Educational Outreach for the US Patent and Trademark Office. Morris, who headed the Trademark Electronic Application System for 14 years, discussed trademark practice, the role of the USPTO, and careers in IP law.

Ashley Bogart Joins Student Systems and Administration Team

College of Law Registrar Zack Kelley has added a new member to his Student Systems and Administration team. Ashley Bogart joined the College at the beginning of March as a Law Support Coordinator. Previously, she was with the Student Centers and Programming Services area of the University’s Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience and before that, a Recruiting Support Specialist at Prudential Financial.

College of Law Team Finishes in the Final Four of the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition

One of the College of Law’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition teams participated in the competition’s national round held April 5-7 in Washington, DC. Coached by alumnus Brady O’Malley L’11, the team of 3L Ryan Lefkowitz and 2L Donya Feizbakhsh finished in the top four of more than 180 teams. The team also won third place for Best Brief in the national competition, and Lefkowitz was recognized among the competition’s best advocates.

LATE BREAKING NEWS: The American Association for Justice team lost to Akron in the Elite Eight of the national competition. Another good run!

DCEx Students Hear from Acting CPSC Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle L’94

On March 26, the DCEx students heard from Acting Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Ann Marie Buerkle L’94, regarding the history of the agency, its policies and procedures, and the recall process, including two case studies of actual recalls coordinated by CPSC.

NYCEx Externs Hear from Juvenile Law Practitioner Martin Feinman L’83

Law alumnus Martin Feinman L’83—attorney-in-charge for the Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice in Brooklyn, NY—was the guest lecturer for a NYCEx seminar on March 5. Professor Margaret Harding led the seminar in which Feinman discussed the juvenile system and the differences between family and criminal court jurisdiction and oversight of matters involving young people within our justice systems. Feinman took participants through a step-by-step simulation of a juvenile case. The externs then heard from Caroline Miller L’11 and Dalya Bordman L’17, who also work at Legal Aid and noted how fulfilling and rewarding their work is.

Olivia Fontana Named an OnVLP Pro Bono Champion

While working as a pro bono volunteer, 2L Olivia Fontana made such a positive impression on the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County (OnVLP) that she will be honored as a “Pro Bono Champion” at an April 19 awards ceremony at the CNY Philanthropy Center in Syracuse. Congratulations and good work, Olivia!

Matthew Wallace Elected ABA Board of Governors Law Student At-Large

Matthew Wallace, a 2019 J.D./M.P.A. candidate, has been elected the national Law Student At-Large on the ABA Board of Governors after an online election on March 13-15. Matthew will be responsible for advocating on behalf of the nation’s more than 120,000 law students during the 2018-2019 academic year. This is a significant and impressive achievement for one of our students—well done, Matthew! The accompanying photo shows another milestone for Matthew. On April 10, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army at a Dineen Hall ceremony presided over by INSCT Deputy Director Robert Murrett, a retired Vice Admiral.

Veterans Law Clinic Students Present to VA Decision Review Officer

On March 21, 3L Cecilia Santostefano and 2L Katie Becker, representing the Wohl Family Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC), each argued a case before the US Department of Veterans Affairs Buffalo Regional Office’s Decision Review Officer (DRO). The students made opening and closing statements and performed direct examination of clients and witnesses. VLC Director Yelena Duterte reports that the DRO commended both students on their thorough presentations.