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Proferssor Gregory Germain writes “The Manhattan District Attorney’s Convoluted Legal Case Against Donald Trump Gets More Convoluted”

May 8, 2024

Professor Gregory Germain has written a legal analysis of the Trump hush money case.

To request an interview with Professor Germain, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, executive director of media relations, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or Rob Conrad, College of Law Director of Communications and Media Relations at rtconrad@syr.edu.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Donald Trump with a “Class E” felony (the lowest felony in New York) under New York Penal Law § 175.10, for reimbursing his prior attorney, Michael Cohen, the $130,000 Cohen paid to Stormy Daniels to sign a non-disclosure agreement in the waning days before the 2016 election, and disguising those payments as attorney fees. What does the District Attorney have to prove under NYPL § 175.10?

The case requires peeling an onion containing multiple layers of legal doctrine leading nowhere.

First, NYPL § 175.10 requires proof that the defendant committed a misdemeanor under NYPL § 175.05 (“A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree [175.10] when he commits the crime of falsifying business records in the second degree [175.05], and . . . ”). So the first step is for the District Attorney to prove the misdemeanor under Section 175.05.

Section 175.05, in turn, provides that the defendant is guilty of a misdemeanor “if, with the intent to defraud, you make, or even cause through other means, a false entry in an enterprise’s business records.”

So the District Attorney must first prove that Trump made the false business records “with the intent to defraud” in order to satisfy the misdemeanor under Section 175.05 that is a predicate to the felony under Section 175.10. The District Attorney has not explained who Trump intended to defraud by falsifying the business records.

There are some appellate division cases that have suggested that a showing of intent to mislead is sufficient to satisfy the “defraud” requirement, although that loose reading of a criminal statute is dubious because criminal statutes are normally strictly interpreted, and “defraud” has a well-defined legal meaning. Why would the legislature use the word “defraud” if they intended to criminalize an intent to mislead someone without the usual additional requirements for fraud, like proving that a victim suffered damages by relying on the truth of the misrepresentation.

In addition, the two year statute of limitations on the misdeamenor (New York law, CPL § 30.10(2)(a)) expired long ago, and the District Attorney did not charge Trump with the misdemeanor. It is not clear whether the felony can stand when the misdemeanor is time barred. The felony statute requires showing that the misdemeanor was committed, since the felony is really a penalty enhancement on the misdemeanor.

Second, in order for the business records misdemeanor to be bumped up to a Class E felony under Section 175.10, “his intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.” So, in addition to proving that the business records were falsified to “defraud” someone, the District Attorney must show that Trump falsified the records to commit “another crime” separate from the fraud.

Judge Marshan allowed the District Attorney to proceed with the criminal prosecution without detailing exactly what the “fraud” or “other crime” was. The District Attorney merely suggested that Trump may have committed state tax fraud, or violated the federal election laws, or violated New York election laws, but was not required to spell out the violations, or to pick which of them applied to each of the two separate crimes that must be proven under Section 175.10.

Well, now the District Attorney has told the court which horse he intends to ride in the case. It’s New York Election Law § 17.152. What is that?

New York Election Law § 17.152 makes it a misdemeanor to “conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to public office by unlawful means.” There are very few cases applying this rather obscure statute, but on its face it requires showing an “unlawful” conspiracy. So the misdemeanor requires proof of intent to “defaud,” the felony requires proof of intent to commit or cover up an independent crime, and the independent crime requires proof of a conspiracy by “unlawful means.” What is the “fraud” or “unlawful means?”

Oh, and that Election Law misdemeanor is also barred by the two year statute of limitations on misdemeanors.

The District Attorney and many pundits have suggested that these three statutory requirements can be met merely by showing that Trump made the false records intending to influence the election. But everything that every candidate does is an attempt to influence an election. To constitute a felony, the acts to falsify records must have been “fraudulent” and “unlawful,” and that’s the catch. What makes paying hush money “fraudulent” and “unlawful?” Running for office is not like selling securities to the public. There is no statute requiring full disclosure of all material facts. Politicians have the highest level of free speech protection for their campaigns.

Some experts have suggested that the District Attorney does not need to prove that the underlying payment to Stormy Daniels was a crime, only that Trump thought it was a crime. I disagree. One cannot “intend” to commit or cover up a crime if what one intended to do was not a crime. Yes, there are cases saying that the prosecutor need not charge and convict the person of the independent crime, but that does not excuse the prosecutor from proving that the intended act was in fact a crime. If someone created false business records to cover up what they thought was a crime, but what they thought was a crime was in fact legal, then they would not be guilty under the statute. Cases like People v. Taveras, 12 NY 3d 21 (2009), which held that the Section 175.10 only requires a showing of intent to commit the crime, even if the person did not go through with the crime, or People v. Thompson, 124 A.D. 3d 448 (NY App Div. 2015), which held that the person does not have to be charged with or convicted of the separate crime, are not on point. What was intended must be a crime, and the District Attorney must prove that it was or would have been a crime if the defendant followed through, in order to meet the statutory requirement. Falsifying business records with intent to commit a legal act is not a crime under the statute.

The District Attorney will be able to prove the facts that he has alleged. Despite Trump’s denials, the argument that Michael Cohen paid $175,000 to Stormy Daniels on his own does not seem credible. There surely was an understanding that Trump would reimburse Cohen for the payments. We do not know why the payments to Stormy Daniels were made by Michael Cohen. I suspect that someone (maybe Michael Cohen) suggested structuring the payments that way to prevent a paper trail back to Trump, so that he could plausibly deny paying hush money to a porn actress if the payment became public.

But why were those payments “unlawful” or “fraudulent?” Who even knew about and could have been misled by the false business records at the time of the election? How would Trump even know about the obscure New York Election Law § 17.152 provision that he is being accused of intentionally concealing? These are fundamental problems with the legal theory underlying the case.

But if it would have been legal for Trump to have paid Stormy Daniels directly, then disguising the payments through Michael Cohen did not show an “intent to . . . conceal another crime,” nor a conspiracy to “unlawfully” influence an election. The District Attorney’s case is now based on three criminal statutes all of which depend on separate frauds or crimes that have not been clearly alleged or proven.

Where does the case go from here. The outcome of the trial will likely depend on Judge Merchan’s jury instructions. Will Judge Merchan’s instructions require the jury to identify the specific fraud and independent unlawful act made to influence the election separate from the business records falsification, or will the instructions only require proof that Trump tried to hide his hush money payments to influence the election, ignoring the requirement to clearly identify a separate fraud and unlawful act.

If Trump is convicted, will Judge Merchan sentence him to prison on a first-time non-violent Class E felony, creating a constitutional crisis in the middle of the election? Or merely give him probation and leave him free to rail against the corrupt judicial process while appealing his conviction. If the judge sentences Trump to prison, will it be upheld on appeal? And if Trump goes to prison, what happens to the election?

If the Democratic Party thought that this prosecution would benefit their election, I think they blundered badly. Trump is benefitting from the publicity, successfully portraying himself as the victim of a political witch hunt. Ultimately, the election will not be decided by the courts. Trump could run for and be elected president whether he’s convicted and sent to jail or not. And the greater the penalty, the more likely he will win the election. Knowing that they can’t knock Trump out of the race, what is the prosecution’s end game?

College of Law Celebrates the Class of 2024 Commencement

May 7, 2024

Judge Graves delivering the commencement remarks from the podium — Commencement Speaker the Hon. James E. Graves Jr. G’80, L’80, U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Syracuse University College of Law recently held Commencement exercises for the Class of 2024. The Class of 2024 includes 208 recipients of the J.D. degree, 26 LL.M. graduates, and one S.J.D. degree .

Class of 2024 Commencement Speaker the Hon. James E. Graves Jr. G’80, L’80, U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, said, in part, “Begin each day expecting that the world owes you nothing, because it doesn’t, and then you will be delighted with every kind word, every helping hand, and every little smile, which is given to you during the day. Remember that as you go through life you will inevitably encounter and interact with people. You’re making memories for those people. Make those memories, those moments, positive.”

Dean Craig M. Boise awards a diploma to an LL.M. graduate

Dean Craig M. Boise said to the Class “In a world that is increasingly characterized by division, injustice, and inequality, the need for principled, compassionate, and courageous advocates has never been greater. You are the future leaders of the legal profession, and the challenges that lie ahead will require vision, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to justice. Let your actions speak louder than words and let your commitment to justice be a beacon of hope in a world that is often filled with darkness.”

Professor Kelly Curtis received an award from Omnia Shedid — Teaching Professor and Associate Dean of Academic and Bar Success Kelly Curtis receiving the Res Ipsa Loquitor Award.

During Commencement, the J.D. Class of 2024 awarded Teaching Professor and Associate Dean of Academic and Bar Success Kelly Curtis the Res Ipsa Loquitor Award (voted upon by the graduating class in recognition of a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to the College of Law) and Assistant Director of Student Experience Vicki Donella the Staff Award (voted upon by the graduating class in recognition of a College of Law staff member in recognition of their support of students and faculty, and their accomplishments that make the College run day-to-day.)

Students gather in their caps and gowns during the 2024 commencement ceremony

The LL.M. Class of 2024 awarded Associate Professor of Law Jenny Breen the Lucet Lex Mundum Award (voted upon by the graduating LL.M. class, it recognizes the professor who has made a significant impact on the success and experiences of LL.M. students during their studies.)

Academics from Adam Mickiewicz University Visit the College of Law for Research Projects

May 7, 2024

The College of Law’s Memorandum of Understanding with Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in Poznań, Poland continues to provide opportunities for academic collaboration between the Universities. Most recently, three academics from AMU spent a few days in Syracuse between stops in Washington, DC, and New York City as part of their research trip to the United States, possible thanks to financing through the Polish National Research Centre. The visit to Syracuse was facilitated by the College of Law’s Office of International Programs.

The visitors were:

Igor Gontarz, a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences of AMU, where he is preparing a dissertation under the supervision of Professor Dr. Hab. Wojciech Piątek [1]. His scientific interests focus on the automated activity of public administration (especially towards the citizen), the issues of judicial review of algorithmic decision-making, and challenging automated activity. He is the principal investigator in the research project “Control of Automated Decision-making Systems Employed in Administrative Proceedings” and a team member on the project devoted to “Appealability of Administrative Court Judgments”.

Professor Wojciech Piątek is a professor of administrative law and procedure at AMU. He has authored more than 100 papers focused on administrative, administrative enforcement and court administrative proceedings from the European, comparative, and national (Polish) legal perspectives. He is the principal investigator in research projects devoted to supervision over courts and judges, appealability of administrative court judgments, and simplifications in administrative proceedings in Visegrad Countries.

Michał Szudrowicz is a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences at AMU, where he is preparing a dissertation under the supervision of Professor Dr. Hab. Andrzej Skoczylas, who is a Polish Supreme Administrative Court judge. His scholarly interests focus on communication between courts and society as well as the operation of the open justice principle (with particular reference to administrative courts). He is a team member on the research project “Appealability of Administrative Court Judgments”.

Their visit to the College of Law started with a tour of the Law Library where they were given information on research services they could use for their scholarship by Christine Demetros, Assistant Director for Student Learning. Then Professor Piątek attended Professor Keli Perrin’s L’04 Regulatory Law and Policy class.

“Professor Piątek gave a brief overview of how administrative law is structured in Poland. Poland is a civil law country with a Supreme Administrative Court and a Constitutional Tribunal. The United States has a common law legal system and neither of those courts. It was a wonderful comparative law discussion,” says Perrin.

Gontarz and Szudrowicz presented on their dissertation topics to a group of College of Law students and faculty. Later, the group was hosted by the Hon. Thérèse Wiley Dancks L’91, United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York, for an informal discussion about the federal court system and the court system in Poland.

The visitors finished the day by attending Professor Brian Gerling’s L’99 Technology Law and Innovation Practice class.

Their second day began with a meeting with University Professor David Driesen, who visited AMU to research Poland’s democratic decline for his book, “The Specter of Dictatorship: Judicial Enabling of Presidential Power.”

“Since my visit, the opposition to the autocratic Law and Justice Party has taken control of the Parliament, so I was eager to learn more about how the process of restoring democracy was going. I learned a lot about that in speaking with Professor Piątek and his students. And I was pleased to be able to share some details about our administrative law system relevant to their research,” says Driesen.

The formal part of their visit concluded with Professor Piątek delivering a lecture together with Dr. Kamil Joński, from SGH Warsaw School of Economics to the College of Law faculty on “New” versus “Old” judges in the Polish Supreme Administrative Court – is it important which judge adjudicates your case?

An important part of the visit to the College of Law was the opportunity for the visitors to casually meet and interact with ISPL students during breaks by using the Institute for Security Policy and Law (ISPL) as a workspace, kindly provided by ISPL Director the Hon. Jamie Baker.

“You might not think there would be a lot of crossovers between administrative law professors and students and national security, but we had a lot of discussions pertinent to the rule of law and democracy,” says Faculty Fellow Maria Cudowska. ““One of the reasons why ISPL is a great hub for international visitors are the people who work here. Our research assistants are an invaluable asset of the College of Law community, they are deeply invested in creating a collegial and collaborative environment.”

Because their visit was so short, it would be hard to make connections and rapport with College of Law students and faculty if not for the ISPL.

“I have to give credit to the ISPL research assistants who went above and beyond in making our visitors feel welcome. The Ph.D. students are about the same age as the law students so that made a difference for both sides in establishing relationships,” says Cudowska.

The AMU visitors found their brief stay in Syracuse very beneficial to their scholarship and created lasting connections with faculty and students.

“The aim of our stay was exclusively scholarly. Our goal was focused on presenting our research whilst learning from our American counterparts by attending classes and performing library research on the system of appealing administrative decisions of administrative bodies (agencies) to the American courts (both at federal and state levels) as well as how the judiciary and public administration are open to citizens’ needs (mainly at the courts level – the idea of open justice) and to what extend they are digitalized (mainly at the public administration level in issuing and controlling of automated decisions.)

In reality, we received much more information than we expected. The consultations with Professors Driesen and Perrin gave us a deep view of the American administrative procedure and judiciary. The discussions had both a theoretical and a practical perspective. We got to learn many details that are not easily accessible in books. The same impression is connected with the presentations that we gave to professors and students.

In addition, research done in the library was entirely useful. We had an opportunity to go through electronic and manual sources and collected a broad array of materials and documents that now are a remarkable point for studying American administrative procedural law.

The social component of our short stay in Syracuse is worth stressing. We met many friendly scholars who offered us their time and company coffee in the Institute for Security Policy and Law as well as caps and scarfs from the Syracuse University store that were useful during the freezing Syracuse days.

Undoubtedly, we will keep in mind all our experiences from Syracuse with a hope for a comeback!” said the visitors from AMU.

[1] Habilitated doctor (Eng.), doktor habilitowany (PL). An academic degree awarded to a person who holds a doctoral degree; has scientific or artistic achievements, which constitute a significant contribution to the development of a specific discipline, Act of 20 July 2018, the Law on Higher Education and Science
Place of publication: (Dz. U. z 2023 r. poz. 742, z późn. zm.)

Prof. Wojciech Piątek, Igor Gontarz, Michał Szudrowicz

Pursuing the American Dream: From A Village in Egypt to Law School in Syracuse

May 3, 2024

Omnia Shedid L’24, ’24 M.P.A. (MAX) was born in a small, rural village in Egypt. As a child running through her grandparents’ corn fields, she never imagined she would one day walk the halls of the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit while supporting work that would impact the lives of many Americans.

“As a girl, my village felt like my entire universe. I never thought I would graduate college, let alone have the experiences I have had at Syracuse Law,” says Shedid, who is a dual degree candidate also completing a master’s degree in public administration (M.P.A.) at the University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Omnia posing in front of the Maxwell School

“My upbringing did more than teach me how to overcome adversity. It instilled in me a passion for helping others, particularly through the law.”
Omnia Shedid L’24, ’24 M.P.A.

When she moved to the U.S. at age 6, her family settled in Baltimore. Shedid and her siblings were raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to make ends meet but still found time to study for her U.S. citizenship exam—demonstrating the kind of work ethic that has inspired Shedid’s discipline throughout law school.

“Growing up poor, you learn quickly how valuable helping others can be. And, growing up as an immigrant in America, you learn that disadvantaged communities are the first to be affected by harmful implications of certain laws and policies, yet they are the last to receive support in navigating the circumstances caused by those implications,” says Shedid. “My upbringing did more than teach me how to overcome adversity. It instilled in me a passion for helping others, particularly through the law.”

“Syracuse Law has allowed me to explore the intersection of law and policy, and, while that has sometimes been challenging, it has been rewarding to learn how these two disciplines can work together to improve people’s lives,” she adds.

A graduate of Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Shedid took a few years off before deciding on law school. When she made the decision to pursue a law degree, Syracuse Law impressed her with the opportunity to earn a joint degree in law and public administration, something few other universities offered. Shedid was also fascinated with the various legal clinics and experiential learning opportunities that the School offered.

Today, she is president of the Class of 2024, a member of the Advocacy Honor Society’s Trial and Alternative Dispute Resolution divisions and a Notes and Comments editor for the Journal of Science and Technology Law.

Last year, she worked at the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, helping veterans access much needed resources. She also took on two prestigious summer internships. In 2022, Shedid served as one of three Judge William C. Clifton Sr. law clerks at the Office of the Attorney General of Rhode Island. The following summer, she worked at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which was made possible by the support of the Syracuse Public Interest Network grant.

Shedid credits many professors for guiding her along the way, particularly Professor Aliza Milner, who is the director of legal communication and research.

“Professor Milner met me as a confused, lost first-year law student and helped me find my way,” says Shedid. “Since then, she has taught me how to advocate for myself and those around me. She is an inspiring attorney and one of the most encouraging teachers I’ve ever had. I feel very fortunate to have learned from her.”

Shedid will graduate this spring with a dual degree and a job waiting for her as an honors attorney with the U.S. government—bringing together her interest in law and public policy.

“My late grandfather once told me ‘You must always think about the people around you, and you must treat them with kindness and compassion,’ and that is what studying law and policy means to me. I want to ensure that the law is accessible to people and that it empowers and protects them. I care a lot about this country, and I believe it deserves leaders and policies that serve everyone,” she says. “I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Syracuse Law that have prepared me for the attorney and leader I hope to be, while allowing me to serve my fellow classmates and the Syracuse community.”

Omnia walking up the steps in front of the Maxwell School and looking behind her

3L Came to Syracuse Law With an “Anything Is Possible” Attitude That Has Led Him to Numerous Opportunities

May 3, 2024

You’d think becoming the first lawyer in your family would be accomplishment enough, but that is just one item on a long list of achievements for Nathanael Linton L’24. His “anything is possible” attitude has opened many doors over the past three years as a residential student at Syracuse University College of Law.

One of the things that attracted the Middleton, New York, native and former charter school teacher to Syracuse Law was the wide range of clinics, clubs, externships and other activities available to him. When he was accepted to Syracuse Law with a merit scholarship, he knew he had to make the most of his time, not only in his pursuit of international law but also with as many other opportunities he could fit into his already demanding schedule.

Over the past three years, he’s done just that. Linton is a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society’s trial and appellate divisions; managing editor of the Journal for Global Rights, member of the Student Bar Association; and research assistant helping national security expert Professor Emeritus William C. Banks.

“From when I was a little kid, I told my mom I wanted to be a lawyer—and maybe one day sit on the Supreme Court. My parents did push me to do great things, and their sacrifice and dedication have given me the room to develop an optimistic outlook on things and be grateful for every opportunity.”
Nathanael Linton L’24

Linton has also had some valuable externships over the summer breaks, which included working as a judicial intern for Judge Daniel J. Yablonsky L’86 in 2023, where he focused on the domestic violence docket in family law in New Jersey; and, in the fall of 2023, as a legal extern with the SUNY Upstate Office of General Counsel. This semester, he is working at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.

Linton reaches for a book on a library shelf

One of the most exciting opportunities Linton has received, however, was being named the 2023-2024 student representative to Syracuse University’s board of trustees. His responsibilities include writing three to four reports to the trustees, updating them about current issues at the law school and keeping them apprised of various student issues. He sits in on executive board meetings, as well as takes part in the Student Experience Subcommittee and the Academic Affairs Subcommittee.

“It’s really a privilege to interact with people who want to see all aspects of Syracuse University thrive, while also advocating for the law school,” Linton says. “It’s been an amazing experience and has allowed me to develop an even larger skillset.”

Linton looks down at a folder while sitting at a desk

Linton credits his parents for his eagerness to grab on to every opportunity in his path. “From when I was a little kid, I told my mom I wanted to be a lawyer—and maybe one day sit on the Supreme Court. My parents did push me to do great things, and their sacrifice and dedication have given me the room to develop an optimistic outlook on things and be grateful for every opportunity,” he says, noting that one of his proudest days was being able to give his parents a tour of the Court of Appeals in Albany, New York. “I think that’s when it hit them that I was really on my way to being a lawyer.”

He credits the many experiences he has had over the past three years at Syracuse Law for “preparing me to meet the challenges ahead by giving me a solid foundation to build upon.”

Linton is also grateful to the faculty, alumni, classmates and others who have guided and mentored him along the way, particularly Teaching Professor Aliza Milner, who helped him during the process of applying for externships and wrote him a stellar letter of recommendation. “I consider her a mentor because she takes the time to meet with me and encourage me—and that’s an awesome thing,” he says.

As he prepares to graduate, Linton is looking forward to his next chapter—clerking for the New York State Court of Appeals on the Central Legal Research Staff as a staff attorney. His role will involve making recommendations to judges on whether or not to grant motions to appeal.

Eventually, he hopes to pursue a federal clerkship at the appellate level or go into appellate practice. One possible dream job is to work for the Office of the Solicitor General, and then possibly private practice at some point. And, because he will continue to believe that “anything is possible,” he’s not giving up on getting to the Supreme Court one day.

Linton in his cap and gown on the Syracuse University campus

Moving From Place to Place, Ex-Marine, Entrepreneur Shifts His Career to Law Thanks to Flexibilty of JDi Program

May 3, 2024

Jason Barnes working on a laptop in a brightly lit conference room

After six years with the U.S. Marine Corp. as an artillery officer and a nuclear weapons security officer, Platoon Commander Jason Barnes L’24 became used to moving from place to place every few years. He and his wife, who is on active duty with the U.S. Navy, along with their two children, are currently living in Oahu, Hawaii, but Barnes knows they will be stationed elsewhere in the not-so-distant future. Because of this, attending a residential law school program was out of the question, but the Syracuse University College of Law JDinteractive (JDi) program was just the right fit.

“Syracuse Law’s JDi program has been an excellent opportunity for me to create a new career for myself. There was no other way I could have reached that goal without the flexibility that Syracuse’s JDi program had to offer.”
Jason Barnes L’24

After leaving the military, Barnes was a CrossFit coach and gym owner from 2014 to 2017 and went on to work as a fitness coach when he sold his business. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Barnes decided it was a good time to look for a career change.

“The intellectual challenge associated with the legal profession intrigued me, and I thought, ‘I wonder if I can go to law school?’” says Barnes, who is a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. As he explored further, he saw that the flexibility of the JDi program would allow him to balance raising two children with earning a law degree from a school almost 5,000 miles away. He was accepted into the JDi program and began his coursework in the fall of 2021.

Barnes admits that the first semester was “a bit like finding your way through the dark.” However, his final semester grades proved to him that he was on the right path.

“Being successful during my first semester affirmed that I was where I should be,” he says. “The unapologetic intellectual challenge of the first semester for a 1L is amazing. I’ve never been academically challenged this way, but I found it refreshing.”

Working his way through that first semester led to one of the highlights of his law school experience—helping 1Ls as a legal communications research assistant (LCRA) and an academic success fellow (ASF).

A student pays attention during a presentation

“I really enjoy helping people and teaching others how to succeed—serving others, showing them how to study, tackling problems,” he says. “These are some of the same qualities that drew me to my military career. More than anything else, I enjoyed seeing others achieve what they often thought was impossible.”

As Barnes prepares to graduate this spring, he is pleased with the knowledge he gained from the JDi program. “It honed my analytical communications skills, and I noticed I can tackle problems in day-to-day life more effectively now,” he says.

As for the future, Barnes says, “I plan to grow where planted” when he and his family move on to his wife’s next assignment. He hopes to land in civil litigation with a focus on business law, although he is also drawn to entrepreneurship and other business-related areas, as well as the “adversarial component” of litigation.

“Syracuse Law’s JDi program has been an excellent opportunity for me to create a new career for myself,” Barnes says. “There was no other way I could have reached that goal without the flexibility that Syracuse’s JDi program had to offer.”

Internship and Externship Experiences, Faculty Mentors Helped 3L Find His Calling in Criminal Law

May 2, 2024

Peraza in the courtroom looking at the camera

When Daniel Peraza Soles L’24 started at the Syracuse University College of Law, he wasn’t sure what area of the profession he wanted to pursue. But, after taking classes from experts in the field and participating in externships and internships over two summers, he decided that criminal law was the way to go.

Two pivotal experiences helped shape his choice. The first was working in the summer of 2022 as an extern at the Public Defender’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orlando, Florida. He credits “four amazing felony attorneys” from the Public Defender’s Office for serving as mentors and allowing him to see what goes into preparing for a criminal court case.

“I was able to sit in on psychological evaluations, go into jail cells and meet with the clients and more,” he says. “It’s interesting work, and I started to see how this experience also helped people along the way.”

His second experience, in the summer of 2023, helped to solidify his decision when he worked as an intern with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of New York.

Peraza working on a laptop with classmates in Dineen Hall

“The work I did there was invaluable,” he says. “I was given many opportunities to come up with my own creative ideas to help the attorneys assist clients in any way possible.”

This led Peraza Soles’ interest in finding out more about the defendants’ backgrounds. “Part of the work of a criminal defense attorney is discovering as much as they can about an individual’s health or family struggles in order to bring these things to light and see how we can make their experiences known at sentencing,” he explains. “You’re dealing with someone’s life, so it’s incredibly important information to have at the time a person is sentenced. It’s not about asking for people to be let off for their actions, not at all. It’s more about wanting to make sure the court understands what each person has been exposed to and get them the help they need, so one day they might be able to reintegrate into society.”

His interest in criminal law led him to write “People Not Numbers,” a class assignment on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), which, while not an exact indicator, can show the likelihood between the aspects of the home life of minors—negligence, abuse or exposure to drugs and alcohol, for example—and future criminal involvement.

Of course, his coursework and interaction with Syracuse Law faculty over the past three years has also helped affirm his decision. He is grateful to Lauryn P. Gouldin, the Laura J. & Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, Crandall Melvin Professor of Law and director of the Syracuse Civics Initiative, who teaches various courses related to criminal law for being a mentor to him. Gouldin’s scholarship focuses on the Fourth Amendment, and Peraza Soles is grateful to her for “helping me to understand criminal procedures and letting me talk her ear off about what I think about the Fourth Amendment,” he says.

He is also especially appreciative of Professor of Law Todd Berger, director, advocacy programs, and a former public defender, for helping him to understand what he could expect in criminal law and assisting him in developing his litigation skills; as well as Associate Teaching Professor Courtney Abbott Hill L’09 for helping him learn to properly prepare legal documents, providing feedback on resumes and cover letters, and encouraging him to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) after 1L, so he wouldn’t have to stress about it as he studies for the bar this summer.

Peraza Soles has been very involved in Syracuse Law since he enrolled. As a 2L, he was vice president of the International Law Society and participated in three different advocacy competitions, most notably the Ulvaldo Herrera National Moot Court Competition. He is grateful for his involvement with the Advocacy Program, which he calls “fantastic advocacy learning experience.”

This year, Peraza Soles is the executive director of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society, something he encourages all students to look into, as it is ranked in the top 15 in the nation. And, thanks to his involvement and hard work, Peraza Soles was the recipient of the Syracuse Law’s Rhoda S. and Albert M. Alexander Memorial Scholarship in recognition of his commitment and dedication to public service.

Peraza chatting with a group of students in the hallway of Dineen Hall

Today, Peraza Soles is preparing for his next chapter post-graduation—a full-time job working at the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office. He is excited to use the skills developed over the past three years to represent the rights of others in a court of law.

“Law school is as challenging as people say it is, but if you can get through 1L, you’re golden,” he says. “Keep an open mind when you head to law school and look at different areas to see which ones appeal to you. You just never know. I didn’t imagine going in to criminal defense when I started here three years ago, but then something clicked, and I saw what I think is a great fit for me.”

Work in National Security, Military and Veterans Opportunities Guide Legal Career

May 2, 2024

Meghan Wright sits outside on a bench in memory of an alum who passed away in the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001

Meghan Wright L’24 is too young to remember much about the events of 9/11, but, living in Westchester, New York, just outside New York City, her mother knew people who had died in the Twin Towers. This gave Wright a “healthy respect” for the attack on the U.S. and impacted her choice to study national security law at Syracuse University College of Law.

Meghan Write stands in front of a white wall and sign for the Institute for Security Policy and Law

Wright earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in history and security threat assessment and terrorism studies from Iona College. As she began researching her next steps, she came across Syracuse Law’s Institute for Security Policy and Law (SPL) led by the Hon. James E. Baker and decided that was the path she wanted to pursue. Wright took a year off after graduating from college to give herself ample time to study for the LSAT, and, when the time came, Syracuse Law was the only place she applied. Wright credits that gap year for helping her score high enough on the exam to not only be accepted into Syracuse Law but also be a recipient of a Dean’s Scholarship, which helped make her goal financially possible.

Since she began at Syracuse Law, Wright has fully immersed herself in her classes and the many other co-curricular opportunities the School offers. As a 2L, she served as president of the National Security Student Association, and, this year, she is the president of the Military and Veterans Law Society. Wright has also contributed to the Journal for the Global Rights Organization.

Meghan Wright shaking a woman's hand sitting at a desk in front of a Military and Veterans Law Society sign.

She is particularly proud of is the work she has done for Syracuse Law’s Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic. Her work assisting veterans is especially important to her, as her father served in combat during Operation Desert Storm. At the clinic, she works with veterans on either discharge upgrade claims or claims for disabilities incurred in or because of service.

“It’s important to me to help the veteran community, as it has always been an important aspect of my life. My work has also prepared me for my career because neither the government nor a client wants to hear, ‘I missed that deadline,’ so I’ve learned to better organize tasks and prioritize other responsibilities,” she says.

Wright has enjoyed her course work over the past three years and credits Teaching Professor Elizabeth Kubala, a U.S. Army veteran and executive director of the Veterans Legal Clinic; and Associate Teaching Professor Laurie Hobart, a former national security lawyer within the U.S. intelligence community, as role models.

Photos of Meghan Wright as a child with her brother, holding a black lab puppy

Meghan Wright standing on a yellow ledge in front of a mountain range in Peru

Meghan Wright sits in a truck drinking a soda while outside on a mission trip

Giving back to others was something instilled in her as a child. “My mom always had opportunities for my brother and me to participate in different service opportunities growing up. My family fostered dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which was always so much fun, and I took advantage of a lot of service opportunities while attending Iona,” she says, noting volunteer experiences at nursing homes and soup kitchens, as well as mission trips to Mississippi, Peru and Zambia.

“Serving others has always been a big aspect of my life, which is why I really enjoy the opportunities Syracuse Law offers, like the Veterans Legal Clinic, to use the skills I’m learning to help others.”
Meghan Wright L’24

Meghan Wright sits in a white chair in the hallway of Dineen Hall in front of windows.

As Wright prepares to graduate, she is eager to see what the future brings.

“In an ideal world, I would like a career that marries national security law and criminal law, while also being able to take on some pro bono cases for veterans’ benefits on the side,” she says. “My experience at Syracuse — from the course work to the prestigious faculty to the chance to put my legal skills to work helping others — has prepared me to take the next step, and I’m excited to make my mark.”

From Courtroom to Courtside: Externship Offers Insight into the Legal Side of Professional Sports

May 2, 2024

Zach Mazuzan site in front of Dineen Hall outside on a bench smiling

Zachary Mazuzan L’24
The Brooklyn Nets, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) Global, Brooklyn, New York

Zachary Mazuzan L’24 came to law school with an interest in learning about the intersection of law and business in the world of sports. In the fall semester, he was able to turn his goals into a reality through a full-time externship with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) Global. BSE Global is the parent company of Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Liberty, NBA G League team the Long Island Nets, and NBA 2K League affiliate NetsGC. The position reported directly to Jeff Gewirtz, Executive Vice President of Business Affairs & Chief Legal Officer at BSE Global.

Zachary Mazuzan at a Brooklyn Nets game smiling for the camera courtside with three other friends

Grateful for the support from the Externship Opportunity Fund and generous alumni donors, Maruzan was able to ease the financial challenges associated with undertaking an unpaid externship in New York City for the semester. This assistance also provided an opportunity for him to explore a new field of law.

“My externship was an opportunity to see how a professional sports organization operated outside of just the athletic events that we as fans love to watch,” he reveals.

“From sponsorship agreements, marketing plans, and ticket sales, to proper insurance coverage, creating ways to bolster fan experiences, and staying up to date with new league rules, there are so many moving parts behind the scenes. This externship was an opportunity to learn about the true breadth of work that goes into how sports organizations function!”
Zachary Mazuzan L’24

Zachary Mazuzan in a courtside photo at a Brooklyn Nets game smiling with his parents.

Having a unique look at an in-house counsel legal role enabled Maruzan to see first-hand the diversity in workflow from day to day on a range of matters spanning different areas of the law. Many of the professionals that he worked with emphasized that finding success in the world of sports goes beyond simply loving the sport the team plays. Being a fan is simply a plus, and your focus needs to lie on honing your legal skills and being able to demonstrate value to the company.

Zachary Mazuzan sits at a table in the Neporant Cafe, working on a laptop with a coffee cup in front of him on the table

Back at school, Mazuzan is a member of Syracuse Law Review and a part of both the Trial and Alternative Dispute Resolution Divisions of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honors Society.

Post-graduation, he has accepted a job with a law firm in Washington, DC. “I hope to work in their transactional practice groups,” he says, “because that seems to be the most transferrable skillset into an in-house role with a sports team. I hope to equip myself with a transactional skillset and stay in touch with the connections I have made to keep an eye out for future opportunities in the world of sports!”

Pursuit of Family Law Fulfills Path to Helping Children in Need

May 2, 2024

Alexis Gilman ’20 (NEW), L’24 already loved Syracuse University before she applied to law school. After all, she had spent four years on campus as an undergraduate earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Gilman loved the atmosphere and the reputation of the University. So, when she decided to follow her passion into child advocacy/child welfare law, Gilman knew the next step was a law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law.

Gilman at a Syracuse basketball game in the JMA Wireless Dome during her undergrad

“I’ve always cared about helping children involved in the legal system,” she explains. “I knew that pursuing family law was a way I could truly help children faced with difficult situations, and I felt really drawn to that.”

While Syracuse Law does not have a specific concentration in child advocacy, Gilman found experiential courses like Trial Practice and Family Law Mediation to be especially interesting. She also took advantage of an externship during her second year of law school with the Hiscock Legal Aid Society’s Family Court Program, which provides pro bono counsel to those who cannot afford representation in mandated cases.

Gilman poses with a friend outside of Dineen Hall

“My experience here has made me much more confident in myself, both personally and professionally. It helped me see more clearly what kind of law I want to practice.”
Alexis Gilman ’20 (NEW), L’24

Gilman not only learned a lot from the experience, but she also found a role model in Amanda McHenry, managing attorney of the Family Court Program. “Amanda is so confident and such a good leader,” Gilman says of her mentor. “She has a lot of responsibility but is very graceful in the way she handles things. I look up to her, and being a part of the Family Court Program really helped me to solidify what kind of lawyer I want to be and how to be the best advocate possible in this area of the legal profession.”

Adding to her experience, Gilman spent last summer as a legal intern in the Domestic Violence Bureau of the Queens District Attorney’s Office. And, she is a member of Syracuse Law’s Family Law Society, an admissions ambassador and the senior notes editor of the Syracuse Law Review.

Gilman adds brochures to a folder in the admissions suite

Gilman says her decision to attend Syracuse Law has improved her life in so many ways. “My experience here has made me much more confident in myself, both personally and professionally. It helped me see more clearly what kind of law I want to practice. And, I also met my best friend in the whole world here,” she says.

After Gilman graduates this spring and passes the New York State Bar exam, she will go to work as an agency attorney for the Division of Family Court Legal Services at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) in New York City. In this role, she will work on child abuse and neglect cases brought in front of the court, representing the commissioner of ACS in Family Court to obtain the best outcomes for children and families. Gilman will also work with Child Protective Services (CPS) and other child welfare specialists to further the agency’s mission to protect children.

Gilman posing in front of the admissions suite

“This kind of work is not for everybody, but I think I have the heart to take on cases related to children and families who are often going through some of the worst times of their lives,” she says. “I’m confident that I’m someone who is empathetic and able to remain calm in emergency situations, and I hope to use these skills to help others and bring about some good. I am excited to take what I’ve learned at Syracuse Law and apply it to a career path I’m so passionate about.”