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JDi Program Allows Tax Manager to Pursue Career as Tax Counsel at Private Trust Company 

Kathryn Martin headshot

“I’m working with the best of the best, and that makes class discussions so much more diverse and valuable.”

Kathryn Martin L’24

With a background in finance and accounting, Kathryn Martin L’24 was working as a tax manager for a private trust company in 2011 when she started considering law school as a way to advance her career. It was the company’s president who told her that working in the private trust company industry would require a law degree if she wanted to move up the ladder.

Martin was living in Reno, Nevada, with her husband and children, while also caring for her dad and her mother, who has Parkinson’s disease. There was no way she could leave Reno to attend a residential law school. So, she put that idea on hold and instead earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Nevada, Reno, and became a CPA.

Seven years ago, Martin moved to another private trust company and again was told that a law degree was essential. A long-time fan of Syracuse Men’s Basketball, she looked into the JDinteractive (JDi) program at Syracuse University College of Law and thought an online program might work for her. “It was the one and only law school I applied to,” she says. “I just felt that I had to go there.”

The JDi program has proven to be a good fit with the demands of Martin’s job. “Time was a concern. I knew law school would be a lot of work, but, like any overachiever, you make it work,” she explains. “It’s not easy, but the flexibility of the program has really allowed me to keep my job, be with my family and go to law school at the same time.”

Students sit in a classroom

Aside from the flexibility, Martin has been pleased with the opportunities that the JDi program offers. She finds it interesting to learn about the backgrounds of others in her cohort, most of whom are high-level professionals. “I’m working with the best of the best, and that makes class discussions so much more diverse and valuable,” she explains.

Another advantage has been the variety of speakers who have come into online classes from wherever they are located—something that would not be possible in a residential program. “I took a class on activist investing and corporate governance from Adjunct Professor Jared Landaw, and he brought in very accomplished speakers almost every week to give their perspectives,” Martin says. “Having access to all of these different people from a variety of backgrounds has been completely rewarding.”

Martin has also attended six of the residency programs during her time in the JDi program. Most recently she traveled to Los Angeles for a residency on bankruptcy law with Distinguished Lecturer Richard Levy L’77. She says the highlight of the trip was listening to distinguished alumna and Chair of Syracuse Law’s board of advisors Melanie Gray L’81 talk about her experience as a woman in law and how she’s faced diversity in her career.

Students stand in a group and listen to an alumna speak
Melanie Gray L’81 interfaces with students at the Bankruptcy Residency in Los Angeles, California

“I soaked in everything she said like a sponge,” Martin says, noting she also had the opportunity to attend a bankruptcy hearing and ask questions of three judges afterwards. “It was interesting because a lot of times, people think of bankruptcy as a negative thing, but the judges spoke about how it allows people to take risks and have a safety net to fall back on.”

She’s been to the Syracuse University campus for all the other residencies: notably one on elder law with David M. Levy L’48 Professor of Law Nina Kohn. “This was my favorite residency, particularly because I’ve had to navigate the nursing home system due to my mom’s Parkinson’s disease,” she says.

“…I am grateful to the professors at Syracuse Law who helped me map out my career choices and prepared me for this next step. The Syracuse Law JDi program has been an excellent experience that has allowed me to build on my finance and accounting background by adding critical components of the law to my experience. It has opened a door to an exciting new chapter for me.”

Kathryn Martin L’24

As Martin gets ready to graduate this spring, she is also preparing for a career change from tax director to a tax counsel position, working in tax and estate planning with her current employer.

“As a tax director, I often come into transactions once they are already underway, but having a law degree will allow me to help create strategies to assist our clients from the start,” Martin says. “I am looking forward to this shift in my career, and I am grateful to the professors at Syracuse Law who helped me map out my career choices and prepared me for this next step. The Syracuse Law JDi program has been an excellent experience that has allowed me to build on my finance and accounting background by adding critical components of the law to my experience. It has opened a door to an exciting new chapter for me.”

Students walk down a street in Los Angeles

A Serendipitous Connection

George and Sheliah smile for the camera at brunch

As a JDinteractive (JDi) student, George Saad L’25 has never let the distance from campus dampen his school spirit. On weekends, Saad often sports his favorite Syracuse University pullovers and baseball caps for comfortable afternoons around Phoenix, Arizona. It was one such weekend during brunch at a local diner that Saad’s Orange pride caught the attention of a fellow diner, Sheilah (Ragan) Lavelle ’59, L’62, leading to their introduction and the beginning of a remarkable bond.

Saad was fortunate to pursue his education in the United Kingdom before furthering his studies in Canada, where he attained both undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics. Subsequently, he ventured to the United States to embark on a career path centered on education and curriculum development. Despite achieving success in his field, Saad found himself grappling with frustration stemming from the complexities of the K-12 education system. Motivated by a desire for meaningful change, he pursued a career shift, earning a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Northeastern University.

It was during this transformative period that Saad discovered his passion for the law and commenced his quest for a J.D. He was particularly drawn to Syracuse Law’s JDi program, which offered him a pathway to realize his aspirations. Now enrolled as an online student, Saad is enjoying learning about the diverse practice of law and the deep bond he’s forged with his fellow JDi cohort, noting that “many have become lifelong friends.” Despite the physical distance separating him from campus, Syracuse Law is close to his heart, as evidenced by the Orange sweatshirt he proudly wore that fateful day in Phoenix.

George and Sheliah smile for the camera

It was Lavelle who first noticed the Orange pride, asking Saad if he was a Syracuse alumnus. They were excited to learn they both shared a connection to Syracuse Law. While Saad is one of the early cohorts in the school’s JDi program, Lavelle was a trailblazer in her own right, being one of only two females to graduate in the Class of 1962. Lavelle always wanted to be a lawyer, even as a child growing up in Central New York. However, in those times, many—including her own family—didn’t see the value in legal education for women. It was her stepmother that encouraged her to pursue her J.D., after receiving her undergraduate degree from Syracuse’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management. In 1975, she relocated to Arizona with her late husband, John, where she established her own practice advocating for indigent youth who had experienced sexual and physical abuse. Lavelle’s dedication to serving her community continued until her retirement. Now a widow, Lavelle lives alone with her two rescue dogs, Trixie and Lily.

What began as a casual conversation over coffee has blossomed into a profound friendship grounded in mutual respect and a love for Syracuse University. Despite their differing backgrounds and life experiences, Saad and Lavelle found common ground in their alma mater, forging a connection that has become dear to both. “She’s such a gem,” Saad remarks, sharing how he and his partner, Jason, have become close to Lavelle, often helping with chores around the home or enjoying conversations over brunch.

Along with Saad’s partner, Jason, the three have become pillars of support for each other, offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear when needed most. In February 2023, Lavelle was deeply saddened by the passing of her classmate and dear friend, Charlie Raffe ’60, L’62. After one of Saad’s visits to campus for a JDi Residency, he returned to Phoenix with a heartfelt gift for Lavelle—a printed copy of her Class of 1962 composite, featuring photos of the young Lavelle and Raffe. This thoughtful gesture, along with the friendship and camaraderie, was a touching moment for Lavelle. Whether it’s assisting with home projects or simply enjoying each other’s company, their bond continues to strengthen with each passing day.

As they reflect on their journey from strangers to friends, Saad and Lavelle are reminded of the profound impact a chance encounter can have on one’s life. Through their friendship, they exemplify the enduring spirit of the Syracuse University community—a community built on connections, shared experiences, and a commitment to making a difference in the world. Though their paths may have diverged, George Saad L’25 and Sheilah LaValle ’59, L’62 will forever be united by their love for Syracuse Law and the special bond they share.

Professor Gregory Germain on the First Witness of the Trump Hush Money Trial

Professor Gregory Germain spoke with Salon after the first witness, former National Enquirer chairman David Pecker, was called in the Trump hush money trial.

Germain said how Pecker’s role in the hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels “relates to the charges against Trump” is “not clear.” He emphasized that the former president’s charges pertain to falsifying business records in connection with Daniels’ payoff. “I don’t see how the ‘catch and kill’ scheme is relevant to the business records charges, except maybe to show that Trump was trying to hide negative information from the public.”

To prove the charges against the former president, the prosecution “must show” that Trump falsified them “to commit fraud on someone” and “hide a separate independent crime,” Germain explained, reiterating he doesn’t see Pecker’s testimony relating to the “elements that the prosecution has to prove.”

Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic Statement on Johnson v. Grants Pass SCOTUS Case

Syracuse University College of Law’s Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) is proud to join 43 other organizations, including the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the UCLA Veterans Clinic, by submitting an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court in the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass.  The Amicus Brief reinforces the duty to ensure that the voices of our nation’s veterans are heard as part of the discourse surrounding this case.  There are over 35,000 unhoused veterans in our country, and fining or arresting unsheltered veterans unfairly complicates their pathway to stable housing.

As a recipient of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s new Legal Services for Homeless Veterans grant, the VLC has a new appreciation for the challenges facing homeless veterans.  We are keenly aware of how difficult it can be for veterans to navigate and secure VA benefits— especially for veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. We’ve seen firsthand the inequities rendered in the lives of homeless veterans when complex legal battles and unjust rulings prevent them from receiving critical benefits. 

As a legal services and outreach organization dedicated to serving the veteran community, we have a particular interest in this case because of the importance of ensuring that criminal enforcement actions do not further complicate access to housing, medical care, and benefits.  This case offers the Supreme Court an ideal vehicle to guide the Ninth Circuit and local governments in how to best address homelessness and promote positive outcomes for our nation’s veterans, which has far-reaching implications, even for our work here in Syracuse.

Professor Elizabeth Kubala

Executive Director, Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic

3L Amie Mbye Selected as the Inaugural Recipient of the Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75 Endowed Law Scholarship

3L Amie Mbye is the inaugural recipient of the Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75 Endowed Law Scholarship. The Scholarship was established with a generous gift from Syracuse University Trustee and College of Law Board of Advisors Member Richard M. Alexander L’82, a partner at Arnold & Porter, and his wife Emily, to honor the Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75.

Mbye is the Diversity & Inclusion Chair and Computers Editor for the Syracuse Law Review. She is also a member of the Black Law Student Association and the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society’s Black Law Student Association Mock Trial Team, which advanced from the regional round of the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial competition in 2023 and 2024.

She has spent two summers as a Law Clerk in Barclay Damon LLP’s Syracuse office. After graduation in May, she plans on taking the patent bar and returning to Barclay Damon as a first-year associate with the Intellectual Property practice group.

Mbye holds an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Agnes Scott College.

The Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75 Endowed Law Scholarship provides Syracuse Law students with the education and cultural context to enable them to carry forward the legacy of Judge McKee, who has served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for more than 27 years.

Judge McKee graduated from the College of Law in 1975 magna cum laude and as a member of the Order of the Coif and the Justinian Honorary Law Society. He began his legal career in private practice in Philadelphia, PA, before entering public service as an Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He then served as Deputy City Solicitor for Philadelphia, as a lecturer at Rutgers Law School, and as General Counsel for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

Judge McKee first took the bench in 1984 on the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. After a decade of service, he was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by President William J. Clinton in 1994, receiving his confirmation and commission later that same year. Judge McKee served as the court’s Chief Judge from 2010 to 2016.

If you are interested in supporting the Hon. Theodore A. McKee L’75 Endowed Law Scholarship, please click here.

Professor Cora True-Frost G’01, L’01 Speaks with USA Today & New Mexico Political Report on SCOTUS Hearing on the Abortion Drug Mifepristone

Professor Cora True-Frost G’01, L’0, discussed with USA Today the recent oral arguments in the Supreme Court of the United States case FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. The Alliance is seeking to roll back access to mifepristone across the country.

True-Frost noted that by tackling the apparent weaknesses in the doctors’ standing to sue and the broad remedies they demanded, the court was avoiding the knottier question of whether the judiciary should have a say in science-based decisions like the approval of drugs by the FDA.

“For the court to engage the merits of those arguments, they would be substituting their judgment for those of the experts at the FDA,” said True-Frost. “Focusing on the threshold issue of standing is a classic judicial move to conserve court resources and avoid making cases the court would rather not make.”

True-Frost also spoke with the New Mexico Political Report on the case. She discussed the fact that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito referred to the Comstock Act during oral argument, could be a kind of signal to the anti-abortion movement to try to bring a suit regarding that law.

If the nine justices determine that the case does have standing and rule in favor of the Alliance, then the implications could be devastating, True-Frost said and would go far beyond the question of medication abortion.

She said the effect would be “massive in terms of the impact of the regulatory state.”

“The effect of taking this pill out of circulation, off the menu for women who could choose it, affects this relationship between the administrative branch and the judiciary,” True-Frost said.

True-Frost said the implications are larger than just the FDA. She called it a “multi-prong attack against the doctrine called the Chevron deference,” which she defined as a policy of the courts to defer to agency decisions.

Professor Kat Macfarlane Responds to Competing Judge Shopping Bills

Professor Kat Macfarlane, an expert on local Federal court rules, recently spoke with Law360 for the article “Dueling Bills Highlight Partisan Divide Over ‘Judge Shopping’.” At issue are competing Senate bills from both parties that aim to limit ‘judge shopping.’

Macfarlane says what’s missing from the bills are any attempts to limit unfair judge assignments in criminal or non-political cases. Regarding Senator Chuck Schumer’s, D-N.Y., bill, she fears that “unrepresented, incarcerated, powerless parties” are not part of the considerations.

“There are so many examples of other cases in which parties get their cases assigned directly, there are all kinds of local rules that allow judges to pull what they call related cases onto their docket, senior judges and visiting judges get to select the type and number of cases they hear,” Macfarlane said. Another example is that, in certain district courts, when someone wants to challenge their federal conviction through a habeas petition, “there are rules that force the filing of our federal habeas petition to be directly assigned to the same judge that sentenced you.”

Professor Gregory Germain Discusses Trump’s Criminal Case

Professor Gregory Germain recently spoke with Newsweek about the Trump criminal case regarding hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.

In the article “Why Donald Trump’s Hopes of Trial Acquittal Are Slim”, Germain says “The D.A. is going to have a much easier time than Trump. It’s going to be very difficult for Trump to find jurors from the Manhattan jury pool who are likely to side with him, as Manhattan voters are overwhelmingly Democratic and quite liberal.”

Professor Kat Macfarlane on Federal Texas Trial Courthouse Maneuvering: “It’s absurd to give that much power to one person in the federal system”

Professor Kat Macfarlane recently spoke with Bloomberg Law for the article “Chief Judge Sought to Move New Appointee Out of Texas Courthouse.” The article revolved around Chief Judge Alia Moses of a Texas federal trial court’s attempt to reassign a newly appointed judge Ernest Gonzales out of her courthouse to another courthouse over a reported personal issue. The chief judge said the move was due to a conflict of interest, but that conflict has been resolved.

Macfarlane, who studies case assignment procedures, said it’s concerning that such a decision can be made by the chief judge individually with little oversight. Chief judges are not chosen or elected but rather are elevated to the position if they meet certain criteria set by federal law, including being under the age of 65. Still, many courts make decisions on matters like case assignment through consensus, rather than divisive votes.

“It’s absurd to give that much power to one person in the federal system,” Macfarlane said.

3L Dana Shearer Receives the John Goerner L’23 Memorial Scholarship

3L Dana Shearer has been selected to receive the inaugural John Goerner L’23 Memorial Scholarship. Goerner passed away in 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer while studying for his J.D. degree in the College’s JDinteractive (JDi) program.  To honor his legacy, members of the JDi class of 2023 dedicated their fundraising efforts to establish the John Goerner Scholarship with the intent of supporting JDi students facing demonstrated adversity who nevertheless persevere in their study of law at Syracuse.

At the College of Law, Shearer is a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society’s Virtual Advocacy Division, the First Generation Law Students Association, and the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

“Following law school, I plan to pursue criminal law. My passion and knack for oral argument have led me to the courtroom as an advocate. I was initially interested in wrongful conviction exoneration but have chosen to pursue the path of prosecution— a mission to do it right rather than make it right. I am still living in the mountains of North Carolina but have felt the tug to explore new possibilities recently. My ties to Asheville dissipate as my stepdaughter, who was by my side through the toughest of times, heads to Duke University this fall on a full scholarship. I am so proud of where she and I have landed in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity. Thank you for helping me along my journey in the pursuit of law. And thank you to John for being an inspiration to us all in the pursuit of kindness and generosity,” says Shearer.