Who We
Know Is
Who You’ll
Know
At Fordham Law, our network is deep and wide. People in our sphere make things happen—from judges administering justice, to big law partners advocating for clients; from lawyers crusading for the underserved, to entrepreneurs cultivating businesses. We nurture long-term relationships and support the members of our Fordham family throughout the journey.
Meet the
Fordham Family
Fordham Family
From Academics to Activists and Everything in Between
Because we know many of the most influential professionals, legal and otherwise, from New York City to the far-flung corners of the planet, you will get to know them too. Together you will share ideas, learning opportunities, and job placements, gaining a clear competitive advantage that will sustain you throughout your legal career.
Joseph Landau
Dean and Paul Fuller Professor of Law
“I am continually impressed by the quality of our scholarly community, the commitment of our professionals, and the achievements and dedication of our tremendous alumni. Our students demonstrate great intellectual curiosity and make a meaningful difference in the world. As dean, it is my foremost commitment that our students excel throughout their legal education and thrive in the vast reaches of the profession.”
Olivier Sylvain
Professor of Law
“I take a special pride in Fordham Law’s motto, ‘In the Service of Others.’ It signals our faith that law should be a force for good. We aim to make it make sense in the face of challenges outside of our control. Our students graduate with the confidence that they can solve complex problems and provide support to people who most need it.”
Kim Koopersmith
Class of 1984, Chairperson Emeritus of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
“My path to being a lawyer began with a strong legal education—and I can’t help but note the role of women in my education. I should have appreciated how amazing it was in 1981 that two of my four first-year professors were women. I wish I could do law school again … the gift of practicing law is that you’re doing something incredibly interesting all the time.”
Julie Suk
Hon. Deborah A. Batts Distinguished Research Scholar and Professor of Law
“At every pivotal moment our democracy has faced over the past few years, the community of scholars, teachers, and students at Fordham Law School has come together to understand and confront the issues through a supportive dialogue. The best thing about Fordham Law is how much the faculty and students care about working hard to get things right during these challenging times.”
Abdulai Turay
Class of 2022, Associate, Covington & Burling LLP
“My parents always placed a high value on education, and I always thought of law school as a way to empower myself and others. After speaking with my mentor, a Fordham Law alum, it became clear to me that Fordham provided the best opportunity for my professional growth. Since attending Fordham, I’ve been able to learn from some of the most amazing professors and peers. These lessons will stick with me throughout the entirety of my legal career.”
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard
Class of 1997, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs , ABC News
“As a student, I participated in a litigation skills clinic, where I learned to focus on meeting the needs of my clients and communicating with them in a manner that was direct and sensitive. Fordham Law helped me hone these skills, and my professors provided invaluable guidance and support. Fordham Law is an incredible and robust community of educators and scholars who left an indelible impression on me, and I believe that their investment in me has certainly paid off.”
Stephen Cugliari
Class of 2019, Vice President, Corporate Development , Dronamics
“My professors at Fordham Law encouraged me to focus on what I really wanted to do. There was a tremendous amount of freedom in that; I felt like I could take the classes I wanted to, versus the ones that would help me pass the bar exam. Those classes and the other skills allowed me to be part of the deal team that took our company public. Even when I’m doing something not explicitly related to law, I feel like my legal education serves me well.”
Michael Fitzpatrick
Class of 2012, Chief Privacy Officer, City of New York
“It’s extremely gratifying to be involved in work that builds trust with New Yorkers on how the city is collecting, sharing, using, and protecting identifying information. Fordham Law’s practitioner-focused approach laid a strong foundation for my current work.”
Grissel Seijo
Class of 2006, Associate General Counsel, Head of Labor & Employment , S&P Global
“Fordham is a very inclusive school. Its motto, ‘In the Service of Others,’ is more than just words; it’s how we conduct our lives—integrating ethics into everything from moot court competitions to our assignments. It was a financial struggle for me to afford law school, but the community came together to help me find a path to attend. The folks at Fordham are ridiculously special.”
Norrinda Brown
Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Director of Clinical Programs
“Fordham’s clinical program puts our Law School’s mission—‘In the Service of Others’—into practice by providing opportunities for our students to begin to shape their professional identity in the course of applying theoretical concepts learned in other courses to real-world legal problems while providing greater access to justice for underserved communities both here and abroad.”
Dianna Lam
Class of 2022, Evening Division, Assistant Vice President – Legal, iCapital
“Attending Fordham Law School had been a dream of mine since my junior year of undergrad, so when I received my acceptance letter, I was elated. As a mother of two with a full-time day job, I knew that an evening program would be the only program I could afford myself to pursue. It was a privilege to be a part of the Evening Division, and I am so grateful Fordham Law provides opportunities for working parents.”
Hon. Denny Chin
Class of 1978, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Adjunct Professor , Fordham Law School , and Co-Director, Center on Asian Americans and the Law
“I owe so much to Fordham Law School. Fordham taught me the law and how to think and act like a lawyer. It taught me the importance of decency, honesty, and hard work, and the importance of service to the public. I am a better judge because of what I learned at Fordham.”
Carrie Plover
Class of 2024, National Association of Women Lawyers’ 2024 Outstanding Law Student, and Staff Attorney, Center for Family Representation
“When I applied to law school, I knew that I wanted to practice public interest law, and I was excited to become a part of Fordham Law’s Stein Scholars Program in Public Interest Law & Ethics, which offers community, mentorship, and career counseling to students who want to practice public interest law. The program helped me find like-minded friends with similar career goals, in addition to supportive faculty mentors whom I consulted throughout my law school career.”