Courts and Law

Brooklyn Law School marks the start of its 2023-24 year with a convocation for incoming students

August 29, 2023 Rob Abruzzese
David D. Meyer (right), President and Joseph Crea Dean of Brooklyn Law School, standing alongside Hon. Ramon Reyes Jr., U.S. Magistrate Judge for the EDNY and member of the BLS’ Board of Trustees, in front of the incoming class of 2023-24.
Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Law School
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Brooklyn Law School’s incoming class was welcomed into the community on Monday, August 21 with advice and words of wisdom from alumni, faculty, and the newly-appointed President and Joseph Crea Dean, David D. Meyer, at a Convocation held in the U.S. District Courthouse for the Eastern District of New York.

A view from inside the Ceremonial Courtroom at the U.S. District Courthouse for the Eastern District of New York, where Brooklyn Law School held its convocation for incoming students.

Meyer, who reminisced about the excitement and anxiety of his own law school convocation, encouraged the students to embrace the hard work and stress that lies ahead. “What lies ahead for you is the thrill of discovery. The first year of law school reveals a hidden world of policy and law that lies just beneath the surface of everyday interactions,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with the students pledging an oath of professionalism, administered by the Hon. Ramon Reyes Jr., U.S. Magistrate Judge for the EDNY and a member of the BLS’ Board of Trustees.

A group of incoming students at the Brooklyn Law School Convocation, marking the start of their journey towards becoming lawyers.

The ceremony marked the official start of the journey towards becoming lawyers for nearly 400 new students. Miriam Baer, Vice Dean and Centennial Professor of Law, shared statistics and fun facts about the incoming class, which includes 397 J.D. students, nine new LL.M. students, eight transfer students, and three exchange students from France, The Netherlands and China.

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Vice Dean Miriam Baer shared statistics and fun facts about the new incoming class at Brooklyn Law School’s Convocation.

The class is incredibly diverse, with students hailing from five continents and 30 countries, speaking 42 languages and dialects other than English. Baer also highlighted that 25 new students have relatives who are alumni, showcasing the strong legacy of the institution.

William Araiza, Stanley A. August Professor of Law, pointed out that the incoming class begins its legal education during a challenging time in history, marked by racial justice reckoning, climate change, war in Europe, and multiple indictments of a former U.S. president running for election. “In America, political issues become legal issues and legal issues become political issues. There’s no shortage of need for dedicated, smart, creative problem-solvers with knowledge of the law,” he said.

Professor William Araiza addressing the incoming students about the challenges and needs for creative problem-solvers in the current political and legal landscape.

Alumna Jennifer Jorczak, general counsel for Tides Advocacy, advised the students to let excitement win over anxiety as much as possible and reminded them to take care of their mental health and relationships. “Remember that you’re human,” she said.

Alumna Jennifer Jorczak advising the incoming students to maintain a balance between excitement, anxiety, and self-care during their journey at Brooklyn Law School.


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