Syracuse Law Welcomes 2024 Incoming Class

Syracuse University College of Law recently welcomed the incoming class of J.D., LL.M., Exchange, and Advanced-Standing J.D. students during orientation and Convocation.

Dean Terence Lau L’98, presiding over his first Convocation as dean, shared with the students, “Over the coming months and years, we will challenge you. We will push you to your limits. But we will also nurture your intellectual curiosity, bolster your confidence, and help you unlock your full potential. This is our solemn commitment to you.”

James L. Kelly L’99, Partner, Chair, New York Private Equity at DLA Piper was the convocation speaker. Amongst his advice to the incoming students was “Long-term success is not so much about all the things you do right but more so your ability to continue onward in the face of a major setback.  Stay calm when things don’t go well.  But here is a bit of a twist to this.  Stay calm when things go well, too – this is often more important.  Being calm in these times will bring forth your virtue, make you someone that others want to be around, and eventually turn you into a leader.” 

Syracuse Law welcomed 137 on-campus J.D. students from 22 states and seven countries and 106 students in the hybrid online J.D. program (JDinteractive) representing 25 states and two countries.  In the J.D. class, 10% are veterans or military-connected and 24% are first-generation higher education students.

The 20 LL.M. students hail from Afghanistan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, and Taiwan with 12 holding advanced degrees. The class features Federal Attorneys, Federal Judges, human rights activists, and police investigators among other professions.

The eight Advanced Standing J.D. students come from three states and five countries. Syracuse Law also welcomes two exchange students from the University of Rome’s Tor Vergata in Italy and a Visiting Scholar from the University of Bialystok.

“This diversity enriches our community and enhances the collaborative learning environment that defines Syracuse Law, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey ahead,” says Dean Lau.