Fordham Law

The Fordham Law Moot Court Board held its annual alumni dinner ahead of finals, where they presented the 2026 Fordham Law Moot Court Board Distinguished Alumni Award to graduate Khasim Lockhart '18 JD, the 2026 Fordham Law Moot Court Board Dedicated Service Award to Judge Kyu Young (Mike) Paek '08 JD, and the 2026 Fordham Law Moot Court Board Advocacy Mentorship Award to Fordham Law Adjunct Professors James Zucker '97 JD and Andrew Schau.

The outgoing executive board also welcomed the incoming 2026–2027 executive board, reflected on a year of exceptional accomplishments, and celebrated their talented teams who represented Fordham Law at 10 competitions this year.

"We're very proud of all the hard work and success of our members," said Alexandra Tran '26 JD, the Moot Court's outgoing managing editor.

View more photos from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVnvG

An avid and early supporter of the Neuroscience and the Law Center at Fordham Law as well as funding a student scholarship, Fordham Law graduate John McManus ’87 JD has enjoyed creating opportunities for aspiring lawyers through generous philanthropy.

“For me, the thought process is that they will take what they’ve learned and they will help others. It’s part of our Jesuit training to go out and to seek places where there is a need,” said McManus, who was recognized for his giving and its impact on students by Dean Joseph Landau at the Law School’s annual Scholarship Reception.

Read more about McManus and this year’s event: https://news.law.fordham.edu/blog/2026/05/05/john-mcmanus-87-jd-honored-for-his-commitment-to-the-next-generation-of-lawyers/

The road to the bar exam starts long before test day.

Fordham Law’s Office of Student Affairs held its one-day Bar Exam Bootcamp, bringing recent graduates together for practical strategies, skill-building, and the support needed to approach bar preparation with confidence. From study planning to exam techniques, attendees gained insight and tools from Chris Fromm, a nationally-recognized bar exam prep expert, to help them navigate one of the most important milestones of their legal careers.

Congratulations to former Fordham Law Dean Matthew Diller on being installed as the newest president of the New York City Bar Association.

A distinguished leader, educator, and advocate, Diller becomes only the second law school dean in the Bar Association’s history to serve as president—following in the footsteps of Fordham Law Dean Emeritus John D. Feerick ’58, ’61 LLB in the early 1990s.

“The City Bar’s members have always been at the forefront of the great challenges facing our legal system and our democracy, and this moment is no different,” Diller said. “As president, I look forward to building on the City Bar’s extraordinary work in advancing the rule of law, expanding access to justice, and helping our profession navigate the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. Above all, I hope to renew and deepen the commitment of New York’s lawyers to the public good — reminding them that this Association is a commons where lawyers of every background and field of practice can come together to fulfill the passion for justice that brought them to the law in the first place.”

The Law School is proud to celebrate this milestone and the continued impact of Diller’s leadership on the legal profession and public service.

Watch Diller’s remarks: https://youtu.be/2HPDAn8JOmw?si=gBJNfQHi7WAhkR1C

Photos: Courtesy of New York City Bar Association

Fordham Law is delighted to welcome four new faculty members for the 2026-2027 academic year: Benjamin Dinovelli, Joseph Fishman, Deborah Lolai, and Adam Murphy.

Learn more about their impressive backgrounds: https://news.law.fordham.edu/blog/2026/05/26/fordham-law-adds-four-new-faculty-members/

Current and former members of Fordham’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) enjoyed good food and even better company at the student organization's annual spring alumni dinner.

“At our end-of-year dinner, APALSA welcomed the next executive board and celebrated our community achievements from the year, which included doubling our fundraising revenue, sending our moot court team [made up of Ahad Khan ’27 JD and Eva Mao ’27 JD] to nationals of the Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition for the first time in recent memory, and drawing over 130 attendees to our trial reenactment event [“Heart Mountain: Conscience, Loyalty and the Constitution”],” said Fordham Law student Sophie Lamb ’27 JD, outgoing president of APALSA. “Additionally, we were so proud to honor Claudia Pak ’10 JD as a well-deserved recipient of the 2026 Honorable Judge Denny Chin ’78 Alumni Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession. We are so grateful to have such a vibrant Asian American community at Fordham and we can’t wait to see what next year will bring!”

Calling all U.S. undergraduate students, college graduates, and working professionals interested in U.S. law or considering law school—it’s your last chance to finalize your summer plans, July 6-Aug. 4.

Now in its eleventh year, Fordham Law’s fully online Pre-Law Institute gives participants insight into the law school experience while learning foundational U.S. law subjects and improving legal writing skills. Students are eligible to receive U.S. college credit for the program.

Space is limited, register today: https://www.fordham.edu/school-of-law/executive-education/certificate-programs/pre-law-institute/

After competing internationally as a professional volleyball player, Alexa Lister ’26 JD found a new passion at Fordham Law: leadership, advocacy, and building community. She’s preparing to take the next step in her legal career with the same determination that fueled her athletic journey.

Read more about Lister: https://news.law.fordham.edu/blog/2026/05/19/class-of-2026-meet-alexa-lister/

Fordham Law graduate Brian M. Seymour ’97 JD was named the new chair of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Board of Directors, marking a new chapter of leadership for one of the Palm Beaches’ most impactful nonprofit organizations.

A highly respected attorney, U.S. military veteran, and community leader, he was officially installed during Federation’s Annual Meeting earlier this month, which was attended by more than 300 community members, philanthropic leaders, and civic partners.

Read more: https://www.gunster.com/newsroom/news/jewish-federation-of-palm-beach-county-installs-brian-m-seymour-as-new-board-chair

Photos: Courtesy of Gunster

to when the Fordham Law Clinics invited Professor Annie Lai, director of the Immigrant and Racial Justice Solidarity Clinic at UC Irvine School of Law and co-counsel for the plaintiffs in Vasquez-Perdomo v. Noem, this spring for an intimate conversation on the impact of immigration enforcement on farmworkers in the Los Angeles area. Lai also discussed the role law students and lawyers can play in protecting the rights of the marginalized.

Today, Fordham Law honors and remembers the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and commitment continue to inspire us to pursue justice, serve others, and strengthen our communities.

Wishing the Law School community a meaningful Memorial Day.

Fordham Law is excited for all that the Class of 2026 will accomplish.

Learn more about several members of the graduating class who previously shared their stories with the Law School community and were featured in the our series: https://news.law.fordham.edu/futurefordhamlawyers/

A final farewell for the academic year! The Fordham Environmental Law Review recently hosted Law School staff and alumni for its annual end-of-year dinner at The Empire Rooftop to celebrate the success of this year's volume.

"Environmental law is a critical discipline that deserves an enduring spotlight and, given current events, it's an area requiring staunch legal defense and proactive thought leadership," said recent Fordham Law graduate Roberto Leito '26 JD, managing editor of Volume # # . "Year after year, Fordham Environmental Law Review publishes at the forefront of these issues. I'm proud of all our hard work in advancing cutting-edge legal scholarship and look forward to the journal's future growth."

From coast to coast, the Fordham Law alumni community continues to inspire. 🌴☀️

Thank you to everyone who joined Dean Joseph Landau this spring in California and Florida to reconnect, strengthen the Fordham Law network, and celebrate the impact of the Law School alumni community across the country.

Special thanks to graduates Bob Bickford ’74 JD; Jack Kelly ’80, ’21 JD; Palm Beach Chapter President Michael V. Mitrione ’75 JD; Miami Chapter President Suhaill Morales ’10 JD; and San Diego Chapter President Anthony Insogna ’94 JD for hosting gatherings in their respective cities.

The next chapter starts now. 🎓

A new series begins with members of the Class of 2026 as they prepare for what comes after graduation. First up: Jackson Kane ’26 JD, who reflects on his experiences at Fordham Law and the road ahead as he begins his legal career at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

Follow along each week as Fordham Law’s newest graduates share their post-graduation plans.

Read more about Kane: https://news.law.fordham.edu/blog/2026/05/15/class-of-2026-meet-jackson-kane/

Congratulations to Fordham Law's 627 newest graduates as they begin the next chapter of their journeys in law and public service.

Read more: https://news.law.fordham.edu/blog/2026/05/21/fordham-law-celebrates-the-class-of-2026-at-119th-diploma-ceremony/