EDNY Day at Brooklyn Law School Draws 22 Federal Judges for Full Day of Programs

Twenty-two federal judges from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York took part in EDNY Day at Brooklyn Law School on Thursday, Oct. 17. The judges, who serve as Article III judges, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges, visited nine classes throughout the day with 400 students, spoke at lunchtime sessions hosted by student organizations, and participated in a town hall meeting in the evening, followed by a reception. The day offered students a unique opportunity to meet and learn from prominent federal jurists, including those who also are alumni of the Law School, including former dean I. Leo Glasser ’48; Sterling Johnson Jr. ’66; Edward Korman ’66; Robert Grossman ’73; Nancy Hershey Lord ’80; and Ramon E. Reyes Jr. ’92, a member of the Board of Trustees.

More than 300 students attended the four lunchtime panel discussions with judges on Working in Chambers: Interning and Clerking; Effective Advocacy in the Courtroom; Pro Bono and Pro Se Litigation; and Well-being in Law School and Law Practice. An early evening town hall moderated by Dean Michael Cahill drew more than 200 students and faculty members to the Moot Court Room. Chief Judge Dora Izizarry was joined by Glasser, Korman, Hershey Lord, and Reyes, along with Judges Ray Dearie and Lois Bloom, to discuss the role of the judiciary and share their personal experiences with law students. The town hall included a lively debate among the judges on topics as varied as the value of clinical education, challenges and opportunities presented by new technology, and the prudent way to manage social media.

“In classes and conversations throughout the day, the EDNY judges provided our students with a window into the life of the law—practical lawyering tips, career paths, professional challenges, the state of the justice system, and the role of the courts in our constitutional democracy,” said Professor Jodi Balsam who, along with Professor Maryellen Fullerton, spearheaded the program. “We were privileged to have them share their wisdom and experiences with us and look forward to continuing this program for the benefit of our students.”

The Eastern District of New York (Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties) has a diverse population of 8 million people and encompasses major international air and sea ports and commercial activity. It is one of the most active federal courts in the country for cases involving national security, complex white-collar crimes, bankruptcy, civil rights, public corruption, and more. With the Court’s main building located just several blocks from the Law School, the EDNY offers students a range of opportunities to enhance their law school experience and interact with federal judges, federal prosecutors and defense attorneys, and court staff. Many alumni of the Law School over the years have served as law clerks for members of the EDNY bench. Dong Lee ’13, who serves as law clerk for Chief Judge Irizarry, took part in the Working in Chambers lunch panel.

The planning committee also included Professors Stacy Caplow, Michael Gerber, Cynthia Godsoe, Joel Gora, and Cecilia Silver, who were assisted by Linda Harvey, Chief of Staff and COO, and Christopher Gibbons and Clorinda Valenti from the Office of External Affairs.

View pictures of EDNY Day Town Hall here