The Center serves as a vibrant intellectual hub where students, alumni, faculty and the broader community engage with the judiciary in meaningful and varied ways.

We are deeply grateful to our alumni community for their continued support, and to the judges and clerks who generously contributed their time and insights through our events and initiatives.

Eastern District of New York Headlines 2025 Judicial Day in Residence

In March, the Fordham Law community had the unique opportunity to interact with 21 judges from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.), including two Second Circuit judges who sit in the E.D.N.Y. by designation. 

Throughout the day and evening, members of the 1L class had a judge co-teach at least one class.  The participating judges also co-taught some upper division classes.  The judges engaged with faculty and students over an informal lunch, interacted with cohorts of student leaders from various organizations over coffee, and participated in a dynamic town hall discussion with the Law School community followed by a reception.

“It was a privilege for the E.D.N.Y. judges to participate in Fordham’s Judicial Day in Residence,” said Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie. “It was not only a unique learning opportunity for the students, but a rewarding experience for our judges to co-teach with the outstanding Fordham faculty and to engage with students. The E.D.N.Y. Judicial Day in Residence was truly a special experience for all.”

Federal Judge J. Michelle Childs Contends that Role of D.C. Circuit is More Important than Ever

In February, the Center welcomed Judge Childs as its 2025 Distinguished Jurist in Residence. The centerpiece of her visit was a lecture exploring the historical role of the D.C. Circuit, commonly referred to as the “second-highest court of the land,” and its distinctive docket, which primarily deals with administrative law and constitutional law.

“We are often called to address questions relating to the structure of our government, separation of powers, federal employees and officers, and national security,” Judge Childs said. “These cases require us to think carefully, not only about the specific parties to a case, but also about the impact a particular ruling may have on the country as a whole.”

Learn more about the CJEC’s Distinguished Jurist in Residence Program and visit our FLASH page for our lecture archive.

First to the Bench:

Hon. Maria Araújo Kahn ’89 Reflects on Her Journey to the Bench: “It’s a Dream to be in the Position I’m in”

While a student at Fordham Law focusing on pursuing a career path in public interest Judge Kahn never predicted she would one day be a judge. Thirty-five years later, she sits on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals hearing appellate cases arising from the federal district courts within the circuit.

“Don’t use law school as a limit. Expose yourself to different areas because you don’t know whether you’ll like something. There’s no one path to becoming a judge,” Judge Kahn said.

In October, Judge Kahn returned to Fordham Law as the 2024 First to the Bench Jurist. The First to the Bench Program brings first-generation jurists to the Law School to speak to the entire law school community—law students, alumni, faculty, and staff—about their career path and experiences on the bench.

Celebrating Fordham Law’s Newest Judges

Judge Joseph Laroski ’97 Reflects on His Winding Career in International Trade Law

The path to the bench for Judge Laroski began when he was a young boy looking out at the ships from the bench near his New Jersey family home. By the time he was unanimously confirmed as a judge to the U.S. Court of International Trade in 2024, he had developed extensive experience representing the United States in trade negotiations involving markets through the Pacific Rim, Europe, and Africa, as well as litigating cases on behalf of clients that produced commodities ranging from outboard motors and steel to shrimp and live swine.

In September, Laroski returned to Fordham for an engaging fireside chat led by Suzanne Endrizzi ’96, assistant dean, to an audience filled with faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Judge Kyu Young (Mike) Paek ’08 Reflects on His Journey to the Bankruptcy Bench

In April, the CJEC in collaboration with the Center on Asian Americans and the Law and the Corporate Law Center welcomed Judge Paek back to the Law School for an engaging conversation about his path to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the S.D.N.Y.

Judge Denny Chin '78 (2d Cir.), one of Paek’s mentors, moderated the conversation bringing full circle the wealth of support that the Fordham community provided throughout his career journey.  Paek reflected on his Fordham roots from the impactful professors to his first clerkship with Judge Stuart Bernstein '75 (ret.) 

View from Chambers: Delaware Court of Chancery with Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster 

Fordham Law students got an up-close look at a jurist from one of the most consequential state courts adjudicating high-stakes business disputes and corporate governance matters, with a visit and lecture from J. Travis Laster, vice chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

In March, Vice Chancellor Laster visited Fordham to give the 22nd Annual Albert A. DeStefano Lecture on Corporate, Securities, and Financial Law. Earlier in the day, the CJEC collaborated with the Corporate Law Center to host a View from Chambers featuring Laster.  

The View from Chambers series is designed to shine a spotlight on a diverse slate of judges from a range of courts on the federal and state levels. It also provides an invaluable opportunity for the Fordham Law community, particularly current students, to learn about the inner workings of the judiciary. 

Pamela Bookman

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law

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James J. Brudney

Joseph Crowley Chair in Labor and Employment Law

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Suzanne M. Endrizzi ’96

Assistant Dean

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Paul Radvany

Clinical Professor of Law

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Aaron Saiger

Professor of Law

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