Albany Law School: Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter, Issue 1

Published by members of the Law School’s Faculty Diversity Committee.
Website: http://www.albanylaw.edu/diversity 

The Theodore T. Jones, JR Undergraduate Intercultural Moot Court Competition, Saturday, April 8 (Albany Law School)

Featured Story: http://www.albany.edu/news/78067.php

Sponsored by the University at Albany and Albany Law School Venture Fund  

In memory of the Honorable Theodore T. Jones, Jr.  Associate Justice, N.Y. Court of Appeals

Theodore Theopolis Jones, Jr. was the fourth African American appointed to serve on New York State’s highest court. He was nominated to the Court of Appeals by the then-newly elected Governor Eliot Spitzer in January 2007 and confirmed by the State Senate in February 2007. Sadly, Judge Jones’s time on the Court was cut short when he passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2012 at the age of 68.   Learn more about Judge Jones:  http://www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history-new-york/history-legal-bench-court-appeals.html?http://www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history-new-york/luminaries-court-appeals/jones-theodore.html

Theodore T. Jones, Jr. Undergraduate Intercultural Moot Court Competition:

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Held on Saturday, April 8, 2017
No registration fee
(21 undergraduate students from the University at Albany will be competing)  

Albany Law School,  80 New Scotland Ave.
Dean Alexander Moot Courtroom (Room 421), Time: 9am – 3pm

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• 21 U Albany students will compete for gift certificates!
• The competition is based on oral argument
• Register on a first-come basis
• Sign up solo or as a team of two
• Work with law students, professors, lawyers and judges during the competition
• The competition is open to all students who are enrolled in undergraduate programs

  Questions, you may contact: Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Rosemary Queenan at rquee@albanylaw.edu 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor visited Albany Law School on Monday, April 3rd

United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor visited Albany Law School on Monday, April 3. She met privately with students, spend time with the faculty, and addressed the law school community.

“This was an historic day for Albany Law School,” said Alicia Ouellette, Albany Law’s president and dean. “We are honored that our students, faculty, and community have the opportunity to meet Justice Sotomayor.”

Justice Sotomayor received the law school’s Kate Stoneman Award, presented annually by the law school to people in the legal profession who have demonstrated a commitment to seeking change and equal opportunities for women.  The inaugural honoree was Chief Judge Judith Kaye in 1994.  The award is named for Kate Stoneman, who in 1898 became the first woman to graduate from Albany Law School.  Stoneman was also the first woman to pass the New York bar exam, but her application to become an attorney was denied because of her gender.  She campaigned to change the rules and make women eligible for licensure as attorneys; her campaign succeeded, and she then became the first woman admitted to the bar in New York State.

On April 4, Justice Sotomayor will headline the University at Albany’s Speaker Series, discussing her autobiography, “My Beloved World,” which recounts her inspiring journey to the federal bench.  That event is free and open to the UAlbany community.

Justice Sotomayor is the third woman and the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She was appointed to the position by President Barack Obama in August 2009. Born in Bronx, N.Y., on June 25, 1954, she graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University. In 1979, she earned a J.D. from Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. She served as Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office from 1979–1984. She then litigated international commercial matters in New York City at Pavia & Harcourt, where she served as an associate and then partner from 1984–1992. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and she served in that role from 1992to 1998. She served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1998 to 2009. President Barack Obama nominated her as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on May 26, 2009, and she assumed that role on August 8, 2009.

Youth Law Day @ Albany Law School: Tuesday, Feb. 21st

Youth Law Day (YLD) is a program sponsored by the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and administered by its Youth Law Day Subcommittee. The goal of the program is to provide high school students with a sense of the law school experience, and to reduce the mystery or sense of unattainability that might be associated with it. Typically, the centerpiece is an interactive classroom experience led by law school faculty.  Nearly 80 high school students from the Capital District YMCA, Glenmont Job Corps and guests from the Albany Law School Community will spend the day with us exploring the possibility of a legal profession.

Since 2006, all of New York’s 15 law schools have opened their doors to high school and elementary school students in their communities. The goal of the program is to help high school students envision law school as a realistic opportunity.

Special thanks to the Admissions Office; Professors: Gerald Rock and Sarah Rogerson; and all of our presenters, student participants and volunteers.

Externally funded scholarships for current and prospective law students!

Did you know that there are over 20 million dollars in externally funded scholarships available?  Apply Today!   

Many organizations such as civic groups, large law firms, alumni associations and local and national bar associations may offer scholarship programs. The following websites may help you narrow your search to locate these External Scholarship Opportunities:

Fastweb

• Mapping Your Future
• Federal Student Aid
• Big Future by The College Board
• Law Preview Scholarships Sponsored By Milbank
• Law School Scholarship Finder
• The New York Bar Foundation

Welcome back! and a special welcome to the 147 members of the Class of 2019

Albany Law School’s newest students were greeted with a standing ovation when they were sworn in by U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino on the final day of orientation, Monday, August 22, 2016.

This BLOG post is an excerpt from Albany Law School’s webpage: http://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/current/Pages/Albany-Law-School-Welcomes-Class-of-2019.aspx

The class represented a 16% increase in size from last year, along with greater diversity and stronger academic indicators.  Learn more about the Class of 2019:

• 50% women:50% men, ages ranging from 19 to 58 years old, with an average of 25.
• Some of the many languages spoken by the class include Arabic, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Urdu, and Yoruba.
• Foreign-born students hail from Canada, France, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Peru.
• Fifty-nine undergraduate schools are represented, including Cornell University, Fordham University, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, University at Albany, and University of Notre Dame.
• One student won an Emmy Award in 2014 for Producer of Best Documentary and was nominated for an Academy Award. Others held jobs as investment manager, financial analyst, assistant dean of students, CPA, blueberry farmer, pharmacist, and U.S. Army Lt. Col.

“Remember, you’re professionals now, you’re embarking on this great career. So take advantage of everything that Albany Law School and its faculty have to offer to you.”  ~U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino

RSVP by Tuesday, July 19th: NYC Networking Event and Reception at Sidley Austin’s Offices

A message from Ms. Sonji Patrick, Director of Education (LatinoJustice PRLDEF):

“Please join us for our Annual “How to Succeed in Law School” Orientation Workshop which will be held on Friday, July 22^nd, 2016 from 9:30am —2:00pm, at Sidley Austin LLP’s NYC Law Offices at: 787 Seventh Avenue (between 51^st and 52^nd Streets).

This FREE comprehensive day-long program will provide you with foundational training to complement your upcoming law school orientation programs.  You will hear from the firm’s presenters on the topics, Notetaking, Case briefing and Outlining, and Exam Taking Techniques.  The keynote speaker is Jessica Ortiz, former Assistant US Attorney, Co-chief of Narcotics, Southern District of New York.  There will be a networking luncheon, where you will meet the firm’s associates, summer law student associates, and representatives from local bar associations.”
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Most urgently, please RSVP no later than Tuesday, July 19^th to be added on this secure building’s security list.  You may also email your RSVP to Ms.Patrick at spatrick@latinojustice.org in order to attend the program.  Please feel free to contact her directly at (212)739-7497 or via email with any questions or concerns.

LatinoJusticePRLDEF
Committed to Justice and Leadership since 1972
99 Hudson Street 14th Floor | New York, NY 10013
T: 212.739.7497 T: 800.328.2322
spatrick@latinojustice.org |  @LJspatrick

 

Summer 2016 Networking Opportunities and Job Announcements:

A Message from Baker McKenzie:

The Baker McKenzie LLP networking roundtables series will take place in June 2016 and are open to current and rising first year law students.  The second announcement below is for rising 2L (members of the Class of 2018) to apply now for a Summer 2017 Associate (paid) position at Baker Donelson.  This includes a $10,000 Scholarship toward the third year of law school. The deadline to apply is June 17th 2016. 

 1L Diversity Roundtable and Networking Discussions

We welcome you to join Baker & McKenzie for a series of 1L Diversity Roundtable Discussions in June. These events will provide an opportunity to meet our lawyers and discuss topics related to our summer associate program, life as a first-year associate and the overall Firm culture. 

Theodore T. Jones, Jr. Students of Color Moot Court Competition, April 2nd

Congratulations! to the newest U.S. Attorney Robert Capers,’96

While a student at Albany Law School, Robert was an active member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA).  We continue to be so proud of him.

CLICK HERE for more details about our newest U.S. Attorney for the EDNY

“Robert Capers ’96 has been confirmed by the Senate and will serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.  Capers replaces Loretta Lynch, who assumed the office of Attorney General on April 27. He was recommended earlier this year by Sen. Charles Schumer.  In a statement, Schumer praised Capers as “experienced, professional, and utterly dedicated both to the law and to the Eastern District,” according to the New York Times.

Capers was nominated by President Barack Obama on Oct. 8. At the time, President Obama said his six picks — Capers among them — “have distinguished themselves as some of the best and brightest their profession has to offer.”

“(T)hey will faithfully and tirelessly pursue justice on behalf of the American people,” he said.”