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SUMMER 2022 |
Launch of Williams Commissions Legal Fellows Program |
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In the Fall of 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission implemented its Legal Fellows program in the Third, Fifth, and Eighth Judicial Districts. Legal Fellows are recent law school graduates, who are interested in pursuing a legal career in public service. The Fellowship is a one-year program renewable for one additional year at the discretion of the Commission. The Commission expects the program to provide a pipeline to promote diversity in the courts. The Legal Fellows will be exposed to a variety of legal areas by rotating in the various courts for the judicial district where the Fellow is assigned. Rotations include Supreme Civil, Commercial Division, Medical Malpractice part, Family Court, Court of Claims, and Surrogate’s Court. The Legal Fellow will be engaged in substantial legal research and writing (i.e., motion decisions, suppression motions, jury charges). It is our hope that the Fellows program will provide a pipeline for more diversity in both the legal profession and in New York State Courts. The Legal Fellows Program will also offer a special window into the justice system. Forums will be conducted for the Legal Fellows to meet with judges, elected officials, government appointees, and public policy makers to learn about their work in public service as well as their individual professional experiences. Together with the Fellowship assignments, these forums will provide practical insight into the courts and professional opportunities in the legal system. The Williams Commission currently has three Legal Fellows: Rosa M. Leon, who is assigned to Albany, Robert Hershey, who is assigned to Syracuse, and Jennifer Lopez, who is assigned to Buffalo. |
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Robert Hershey received his Juris Doctor in May 2020 and is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. He began his Fellowship on Monday, November 29, 2021. |
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Rosa Leon received her Juris Doctor in May 2021 and is a graduate of University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. She began her Fellowship on Thursday, January 6, 2022. |
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Jennifer Lopez received her Juris Doctor in June 2021 and is a graduate of CUNY School of Law. She began her Fellowship on November 12, 2021. |
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