Summer Institute Participant Resources

Welcome to the Sixteenth Annual Fordham Law Summer Institute!

The Participant Resources webpage contains a range of information to help you prepare for this program and your stay in New York City.

The Summer Institute has been designed to give you an overview of the U.S. legal system and some of the most important areas of substantive law for global lawyers today. As you will see from the program schedule, you will be learning from some of the country’s leading legal academics and practitioners.

New York is a wonderful city, and we encourage you to take full advantage of the social and cultural activities that are available here. We stand ready to help ensure that your visit will be an outstanding professional and personal experience – one that you will remember forever.

We look forward to welcoming each of you on July 10th.

  • Attendance Policy

    Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. Participants who fail to attend at least 80% of program classes will not receive a program certificate. The attendance sheet will be removed once the session begins, and students who arrive late for class will not be counted as in attendance. Accordingly, please arrive at least ten minutes before the start of each session. Please note that program sessions marked as "optional" are not included in this attendance policy.

    Students who leave a class before it ends will be marked absent for that class.

    Academic Credit

    Fordham Law does not award academic credit for this program. However, we are happy to coordinate with participants in order to help them receive academic credit from their home institutions. These participants will be given a graded evaluation based on a take-home exam that will be given at the end of the program.

    Participants who require this evaluation must complete the brief online Exam Survey prior to the start of the program. In the survey you must indicate the name and email address of the person to whom an official report of your participation in this program and grade should be submitted. Grades will be provided on the standard A-F scale. Please note that we are not able to provide an official University transcript.

  • Unless otherwise noted:

    • Morning: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Room 3-04
    • Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Fordham Community Dining Hall, First Floor, 1-05
    • Afternoon: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Room 3-04

    A paper copy of the updated schedule will be distributed to participants on the first day of the program.

    Tentative Program Schedule
    Date/TimeTopicFaculty/Notes
    Sunday, July 9 Check in to Fordham Housing check in between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    Monday, July 10
    10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
    Third Floor Foyer
    Program Sign-In  
    Monday, July 10 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Group Lunch  
    Monday, July 10 Afternoon Introduction to the U.S. Legal System Professor Anthony Agolia
    Monday, July 10 4:30 p.m. Group Photo  
    Monday, July 10 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Happy Hour All Stars Sports Bar and Grill
    327 W 57th St
    Tuesday, July 11 Morning Introduction to the U.S. Legal System Professor Anthony Agolia
    Tuesday, July 11 Afternoon U.S. Tax Law and Policy Professor Linda Sugin
    Wednesday, July 12 Morning Constitutional Law – Structural Issues Professor Martin Flaherty
    Wednesday, July 12 Afternoon Constitutional Law – Rights and Liberties Professor Martin Flaherty
    Thursday, July 13 Morning Class/Free Time TBA  
    Thursday, July 13 Lunch on your own  
    Thursday, July 13 Afternoon Contract Drafting and Negotiation Jose Luis Guerra, Esq.
    Friday, July 14 Morning LL.M. Information Session Martin Slavens, Director of Graduate Admissions 
    Friday, July 14 Lunch on your own  
    Friday, July 14 Afternoon Free Time  
    Monday, July 17 Morning Intellectual Property Law Professor Matthew Asbell
    Monday, July 17 Afternoon Information Technology Law Professor Tom Norton
    Tuesday, July 18 Morning Civil Procedure and Litigation Professor Howard M. Erichson
    Tuesday, July 18 Lunch on your own  
    Tuesday, July 18 Afternoon Arbitration, Mediation, Negotiations Assistant Dean Cecilia Caldeira 
    Tuesday, July 18 7:10 p.m. Major League Baseball Game: New York Mets vs.Chicago White Sox (optional) Citi Field location and travel information
    Wednesday, July 19 Morning Legal English Workshop: U.S. Legal Research (optional) Professor Alissa Black-Dorward
    Wednesday, July 19 Lunch on your own  
    Wednesday, July 19 Afternoon Defamation and Privacy Professor Benjamin Zipursky
    Thursday, July 20 Morning Visit to Metropolitan Museum of Art  
    Thursday, July 20 Lunch on your own  
    Thursday, July 20 Afternoon Class/Offsite Visit/Free Time TBA  
    Friday, July 21 Morning Class/Offsite Visit/Free Time TBA  
    Friday, July 21 Lunch on your own  
    Friday, July 21 Afternoon Class/Offsite Visit/Free Time TBA  
    Monday, July 24 Morning U.S. Evidence and Trial Practice Professor James Kainen
    Monday, July 24 Afternoon Corporations Professor Caroline Gentile
    Tuesday, July 25 Morning Mediation Assistant Dean Cecilia Caldeira
    Tuesday, July 25 Lunch on your own  
    Tuesday, July 25 Afternoon Mergers and Acquisitions Professor Caroline Gentile
    Wednesday, July 26 Morning Corporate Reorganization in Bankruptcy Giorgio Bovenzi, Esq.
    Wednesday, July 26 Lunch on your own  
    Wednesday, July 26 Afternoon Criminal Law Professor Cheryl Bader
    Thursday, July 27 Morning Contract Law Professor Mark Patterson 
    Thursday, July 27 Lunch on your own  
    Thursday, July 27 Arrive by 1:45 p.m. Visit to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Law Firm Ben Indek, Esq. and colleagues TBA 
    Friday, July 28 Morning Free Time  
    Friday, July 28 1:00 p.m. Closing Celebration at TBA  
    Saturday, July 29 Check out of Fordham Housing Leave keys with security officer in McMahon Hall. Must check out by 10:00 a.m.

     

  • Course Materials

    Course materials will be available on Blackboard, and accessible with your Fordham username and password, closer to the start of the program. These materials are for 2023 Summer Institute participants only, and should not be shared outside of the program or used for any other purpose.

    Presentations

    Course presentations will be posted in Blackboard if and when they become available throughout the program. These presentations are for 2023 Summer Institute participants only, and should not be shared outside of the program or used for any other purpose. Note that not all professors may have presentations or elect to have their presentations made available online.

    Participants may not record program lectures without the express permission of the professor or presenter. Recordings of program lectures should never be uploaded to the internet or shared with anyone outside of the Summer Institute.

Housing Information

The address for Fordham Summer Institute housing is McMahon Hall, 155 West 60 Street, New York, NY 10023.

  • Fordham will provide linens, pillows, and towels for your use. Although there is a kitchen in these apartments, they do not come equipped with dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment.

    McMahon Hall has three laundry rooms available for use by program participants. There is no charge for use of the washers and dryers, but participants must provide their own detergent. Rooms will be cleaned professionally before and after the participant’s stay, not during.

  • Students who have reserved a room in program housing will be staying at Fordham University's McMahon Hall, 155 West 60 Street (between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue), New York, NY 10023. This facility has 24-hour security. You are required to show your Fordham identification card each time you enter the housing facility.

    Participants may check in at the housing facility any time beginning the morning of Sunday, July 9. Other summer groups will be checking in simultaneously; participants should expect to encounter delays at check-in. A Fordham staff member will greet participants between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with keys and ID cards. The security guard on staff will greet those who arrive outside of these hours. Students must depart from the housing on or by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29. Students may leave keys with the security guard on staff. Please note that there will be a charge for lost or stolen keys, so please keep your key in a safe place.

    McMahon Hall hosts a variety of groups throughout the summer that are very tightly scheduled. It will not be possible for any Summer Institute participant to check in before Sunday, July 9 or check out after Saturday, July 29 under any circumstances. If you would like to extend your stay in New York before or after the program, you should secure alternate accommodations before your arrival in New York.

  • The McMahon Hall mailroom is closed during the summer. Summer residents cannot receive mail at their McMahon Hall address.

    Summer Institute participants may arrange to receive mail and packages at the International and Non-J.D. Programs office in the Law School building. Summer residents are reminded that this mail service is provided as a courtesy and should not be abused; excessive deliveries may result in the assessment of an administrative fee, and we are unable to return packages to an alternate address after the program has ended.

    Mail and packages should be addressed as follows:

    [Participant Name]
    International and Non-J.D. Programs
    Fordham Law School
    150 West 62 Street, Suite 8-131
    New York, NY 10023
    U.S.A.

    It is important that all of the above information is included in the address information, as failure to do so may result in your package being misdirected or lost. Fordham Law School cannot accept liability for lost or damaged packages or mail.

  • As a participant in the Summer Institute, you are subject to all University housing and other rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in your ejection from McMahon Hall and the Summer Institute program. We will review these rules and regulations on the first day of the program, and the Office of Residential Life will provide information at move in.

    All participants will be provided with an ID for access to Fordham’s campus. It is important to keep this ID card with you at all times. Lost ID cards must be replaced for a fee of $25.00.

    Participants should be advised that New York City has very strict anti-smoking laws. It is illegal to smoke in public buildings, public parks, the student dormitory, on beaches and boardwalks, and where marked. Smoking is also illegal throughout the subway and bus system, even on outdoor train platforms.

Passport and Visa Information

Federal regulations require all non-immigrants attending the Summer Institute on visas sponsored by Fordham to check-in with the Office for International Services (OIS). Most of the check-in process is handled via the online portal accessible at www.fordham.edu/ois with instructions provided via email. Further information regarding visa regulations will be provided on the first day of the program. Summer Institute students holding a Fordham-sponsored visa should bring their I-20 form, passport and I-94 card with them on the first day.

Do not visit any Office of International Services (OIS) location without permission or arranging an appointment.

  • Fordham Law strongly recommends that all Summer Institute participants arrange for health insurance coverage for their time in the United States. Participants are encouraged to check with their current provider to see if coverage extends to their stay in New York.

    Participants who are not covered are strongly urged to purchase insurance. Participants are not automatically covered by Fordham University's health insurance, and may be held liable for any emergency medical expenses they incur during their time in the United States.

    International participants are invited to purchase basic health insurance coverage offered via Fordham University. The plan available to Summer Institute participants covers the duration of the program and costs $203.66. To enroll, participants should visit the webpage for enrollment. (The link to purchase will be available July 1, 2023.) Any issues, questions, or inquiries regarding insurance should be sent via email to [email protected]

    Coverage is only available to international, or "non-immigrant" students. This coverage is not available to U.S. citizens, resident aliens, or permanent residents.

  • Clothing

    There is no dress code for classes held at Fordham Law. Students should bring at least one or two business outfits for visits that are part of the program. For those visits, dress conservatively (no sneakers, jeans, or t-shirts; women should not wear low-cut blouses or short skirts). Many people like to dress festively for the Closing Luncheon.

    New York City may be hot and humid in July, but most places are air-conditioned, and some heavily so, particularly within the Law School. It is advisable to dress in layers, and to always have a sweater, jacket, or long-sleeved shirt on hand.

    It can rain heavily in July in New York so you may want to bring an umbrella, or purchase one while you are here. It is absolutely essential that you also have a pair of comfortable walking shoes!

    Computers

    Students may want to bring laptop computers with them but this is not required. Wireless access will be available in the Law School and in program housing for students who do bring a laptop with them.

    All program materials will be provided in digital form; printed copies will not be made available. Fordham Law students will be using the library to study for the New York Bar Exam at this time and Summer Institute students should not use the Library unless absolutely necessary.

  • NYC GO - official NYC guide by the New York City Tourism + Conventions

    New York Magazine - offers articles on restaurants, bars, entertainment, fashion, and shopping

    Menupages - listings of restaurants by neighborhood and cuisine, you can look at menus, prices, websites, read reviews, and leave comments

    Google Maps - easy to follow directions by subway, car, or on foot

    MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) - official website for NYC Metro, MTA Trip Planner will help you find subway directions

    New York City Information - Dial 311

    Traveling the New York City Subway System with MetroCard

    The most common way to travel the subway system is by purchasing a MetroCard. The charge for a new card is $1.00. There is a flat fare for every subway ride, no matter how short or long your trip may be. The fare for a single ride is $2.75, but purchasing a SingleRide ticket is $3.00 (the $1.00 MetroCard fee does not apply to SingleRide tickets). You can save money by purchasing several rides in advance. For $33, the 7-day Unlimited Ride MetroCard will allow you to make unlimited trips for 7 days from your first use. There is no charge when you use your MetroCard to transfer from a bus to a subway, or subway to bus.

    Check MetroCard fares.

    You can also enter the subway by using contactless payment (e.g., Apple Pay or a tap-enabled credit card) or the OMNY app at the turnstile.

  • New York City is served by at least two international airports – John. F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty (EWR). From either airport, you can take a taxi, train, or bus to reach Manhattan.

    The program housing is located at 155 West 60 Street, between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue. Program classes will take place in the Law School building, 150 West 62 Street, between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue.

    Participants should be advised that Fordham University has two campuses in New York City. Fordham Law School and the Summer Institute program housing are located on the Lincoln Center Campus on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. No program activities will take place at the main university campus, which is in the Bronx section of New York City. Participants should make this distinction when advising taxi drivers of their final destination.

    Participants should ignore offers of transportation from solicitors in the terminal. Go to ground transportation information counters, bus stops, and taxi dispatchers for safe and legitimate transportation. Ignore non-uniformed people offering to assist with baggage.

  • From John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport

    By Taxi

    Upon leaving the arrival area of the airport, look for the taxi queue. For trips to Manhattan from JFK International Airport, there is a flat fee of $70 (plus tax), not including tolls or tip. Rates will be higher from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. It is customary to tip 15-20% for good service. You may be charged a toll depending on the route your driver takes. Generally, the only applicable tolls for a trip from JFK International Airport to Fordham Law School would be a $6.55 toll for using the Hugh L. Carey Brooklyn Battery or Queens Midtown tunnels. Up to four riders can take a taxi together.

    By NY Airport Bus Service

    NY Airport Service operates shuttle vehicles between JFK and Manhattan. The fare is approximately $50 one-way for a shared shuttle from JFK to Manhattan. Bus stops are located outside the baggage claim area at every terminal. The trip generally lasts 45-60 minutes and there are several stops in Manhattan. Participants should exit at Port Authority Bus Terminal (Eighth Avenue and West 42 Street). From there, it is a short taxi or subway ride to Fordham Law School. If you are taking the subway, take the A/C train to 59 Street – Columbus Circle. Get more information on the NY Airport Shuttle.

    By Train

    Train travel from JFK Airport to Manhattan is generally the cheapest option; however, it is also the most time consuming. Participants should take the AirTrain to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) at Jamaica Station, then take the LIRR to Penn Station. The one-way cost for travel from JFK to Penn Station is between $15.75 and $18.75, depending on the time of day. (Paying for fares onboard the LIRR is significantly more expensive.) From there, it is a short taxi or subway ride to Fordham Law School. If you are taking the subway, take the A/C train to 59 Street – Columbus Circle. Read more information about MTA AirTrain.

  • From Newark Liberty (EWR) International Airport

    By Taxi

    Upon leaving the arrival area of the airport, look for the taxi queue. Rides in taxis from Newark are metered fare, and there is a $5 surcharge for trips during early mornings (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) and late afternoons (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.). Fares will vary greatly depending on whether there is traffic entering Manhattan (as there often is), but can be estimated to be $55 or more, not including tolls, surcharges, or tip. It is customary to tip 15-20% for good service. There is a $15 toll for all Hudson River crossings. There is also a variety of private taxi firms which offer flat rates to Manhattan. Up to four riders can take a taxi together. Read more information on taxi services.

    By Bus

    Newark Airport Express offers a shuttle bus for $18.70 ($33 round trip). Buses run every 45 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. and the trip generally takes between 45-60 minutes. Participants should exit at Port Authority Bus Terminal (Eighth Avenue and West 42 Street). From there, it is a short taxi or subway ride to Fordham Law School. If you are taking the subway, take the A/C train to 59 Street – Columbus Circle. Read more information on bus or coach services.

    By Train

    Newark Airport’s internal monorail, the AirTrain, connects with NJ Transit trains to New York Penn Station. Take any NJ Transit train that goes to New York Penn Station. The ticket—including the AirTrain and the NJ Transit train—will cost about $23.50. From Penn Station, it is a short taxi or subway ride to Fordham Law School. If you are taking the subway, take the A/C train to 59 Street – Columbus Circle.

    There are two “Penn Stations” on the NJ Transit Line. Participants should disembark at New York Penn Station, not Newark Penn Station. New York Penn Station will be the last stop. Read more information about train services.