Office of Professionalism

Fordham Law School is committed to helping students develop the full range of competencies they will need to pursue their passions and flourish in the rapidly evolving legal landscape. We recognize that to truly excel, new lawyers must not only possess strong analytic skills and legal knowledge, but also be able to craft solutions, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and cultivate their personal health and well-being. The Office of Professionalism has developed a robust set of leadership, wellness, and professionalism initiatives designed to help students develop the social, emotional, and cultural competencies necessary to deliver outstanding legal representation and lead satisfying lives in the profession.

First-year students begin to shape their professional identities and develop essential workplace skills through a robust first-year curriculum -- beginning at Orientation and continuing through January Orientation and the year-long House System programming. First-year professionalism programs focus on topics such as mental health and wellness, multi-cultural competence, growth mindset, disagreeing for understanding, financial literacy, and professional etiquette.

Upper-year students can continue to build on these lessons by partaking in the Professionalism Fellows Program, serving as Peer Mentors or BSA Advisors, and enrolling in for-credit courses such as Peer Mentoring & Leadership and Positive Lawyering. Finally, a series of school-wide wellness and community-building initiatives foster a culture of inclusion and well-being within the Law School and ensure that all members feel supported.

Office of Professionalism News

At Orientation, Incoming Students Begin Their Law School Journeys

At Orientation, Incoming Students Begin Their Law School Journeys

The Fordham Law School building buzzed with activity once again as the newest class of students met one another and Law School leaders during orientation this month. More than 550 …

Four Tips from Legal Professionals on How To Approach Your Career 

Four Tips from Legal Professionals on How To Approach Your Career 

The Center on Asian Americans and the Law hosted a “Professionalism and Career Advice Panel Discussion” for Fordham Law students featuring three accomplished Asian American speakers, who spoke about their …

Fordham Law’s Entrepreneurial Law Program, Peer Mentoring & Leadership Program Recognized by Bloomberg Law

Fordham Law’s Entrepreneurial Law Program, Peer Mentoring & Leadership Program Recognized by Bloomberg Law

On Jan. 27, Bloomberg Law recognized Fordham Law School’s Entrepreneurial Law Program and Clinic and Peer Mentoring and Leadership Program as two of the most innovative programs in the country. …

Law Alumni Share Timeless Advice with First-Year Law Students

Law Alumni Share Timeless Advice with First-Year Law Students

At a special orientation event for first-year students at the Fordham School of Law, five accomplished alumni and President Tania Tetlow—a former federal prosecutor and law professor herself—shared career advice …

At Orientation, Incoming Students Welcomed Into the “Fordham Law Family”

At Orientation, Incoming Students Welcomed Into the “Fordham Law Family”

The Fordham Law School campus buzzed with activity as the newest class of students met one another and Law School leaders during orientation this month. More than 500 students enrolled …

Giving Back to Fordham Law, an Alumnus Invests in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Giving Back to Fordham Law, an Alumnus Invests in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Following the May 2020 murder of George Floyd and the ensuing outcries about structural racism in society, Fordham Law School, like institutions everywhere, looked inward—and, a few months later, produced …

Reimagined Spring Orientation Shines Spotlight on Growth Mindset

Reimagined Spring Orientation Shines Spotlight on Growth Mindset

Fordham Law School’s third annual spring orientation expanded this year into a two-day format, taking place on Jan. 18 and 19 for day division students. The theme for this year’s …

New Students Take Oath of Professionalism

New Students Take Oath of Professionalism

On August 23, 434 first-year J.D. students joined together to take their oath of professionalism as a part of their orientation programming.  The oath of professionalism is a pledge taken …

Associate Dean Linda Sugin Honored for Transforming the Student Experience

Associate Dean Linda Sugin Honored for Transforming the Student Experience

In her role as associate dean for academic affairs over the past four years, Linda Sugin has been instrumental in spearheading a number of key strategic initiatives that have transformed …

Fordham Law Kicks Off First Annual Wellness Week

Fordham Law Kicks Off First Annual Wellness Week

The Office of Professionalism is expanding upon Fordham Law’s annual Mental Health Day by launching the Law School’s first-ever Wellness Week. Doubling down on the school’s already robust wellness offerings, …

Fordham’s Lawyers of Tomorrow Take Oath of Professionalism 

Fordham’s Lawyers of Tomorrow Take Oath of Professionalism 

On August 24, Fordham Law School’s new class of full-time and evening J.D. students capped their orientation week with a recitation of the Fordham Law School Professional Oath. Traditionally, J.D. …

Fordham Law Names Inaugural Class of Professionalism Fellows

Fordham Law Names Inaugural Class of Professionalism Fellows

Fordham Law’s office of professionalism has launched a new one-year fellowship program for six upper-year students with an interest in and commitment to promoting professionalism, mentorship, and inclusion within the …

Spring Orientation Adds Professional and Leadership Training to the Law School Curriculum

Spring Orientation Adds Professional and Leadership Training to the Law School Curriculum

“Professional and leadership skills are crucial to success as a lawyer,” says Fordham Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Sugin. “Law schools are just starting to recognize that we …