Flexjet Chairman Kenneth C. Ricci to Deliver 2024 CSUILAW Commencement Address
Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci '86, Chairman of Flexjet and Principal of Directional Aviation Capital, will deliver the commencement address at Cleveland State University College of Law’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024. The ceremony will take place Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the KeyBank State Theatre.
“As our distinguished alumnus and a member of our CSU|LAW Hall of Fame, we are honored to have Kenn Ricci speak to 2024 graduates,” CSU|LAW Dean Lee Fisher. “Kenn is an extraordinary leader and exemplifies how our graduates can use the legal and leadership skills they developed throughout law school to forge a successful career path no matter where their interests lie.”
Alumni Profile: Lauryn T. Robinson ’21
Cleveland State University College of Law alum Lauryn T. Robinson’21 is an associate with Benesch’s litigation group, where her practice covers general commercial litigation, consumer class actions, and transportation and logistics-related claims.
Robinson regularly defends retail and e-commerce clients against class actions alleging unfair or deceptive business practices, provides counsel related to retail and e-commerce issues, and represents a variety of clients ranging from financial institutions to freight brokers.
Alumni Profile: Sarah Flannery ’02
Cleveland State University College of Law alum and Hall of Fame member Sarah Flannery ’02 leads Thompson Hine’s immigration practice group where she manages numerous relationships in the corporate sector, being the liaison who facilitates matching foreign national talent with U.S. companies’ hiring needs. Flannery has been with Thompson Hine since graduating CSU|LAW. She originally joined the firm’s labor and employment group, but she quickly discovered an interest in immigration work.
“I have the privilege of being in a practice area where I continuously see individuals achieving big dreams, and it is exciting to witness,” said Flannery.
Criminal Justice Forum: Wrongful Conviction in Sex Offense Cases
How to Re-Examine Convictions While Protecting Victims
Professor Jonathan Witmer-Rich will lead a discussion of wrongful conviction, focusing on the case of John Thompson, who was released in October 2023 after serving 23 years for a crime he did not commit. The program will feature both Mr. Thompson and prominent local attorney Rufus Sims, CSU|LAW '87, who represented Mr. Thompson and secured his release. Laura Greig, Director of CSU's Terry Gilbert Wrongful Conviction Clinic, will discuss problems that contribute to wrongful convictions, and will discuss the work of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic.
Monday Morning Message 4.1.24 The Secret to Getting Ahead
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” - Mark Twain
This is a message to our students who will graduate in less than 60 days. The Ohio Bar Exam is not until July 2024, so it may be surprising to some that this morning’s message is about preparing for that exam. But the 2-day exam is probably the most difficult test you’ll ever take, the stakes are high, and there isn’t much time between graduation in May and the bar exam in July.
It’s not too early to prepare. Studying for the bar exam is a marathon, not a sprint. There are no shortcuts.
Monday Morning Message 3.25.24 Special Edition: Faculty/Staff Focus
"I am not a teacher, but an awakener." – Robert Frost
Monday Morning Message 3.18.24 Special Edition: Student Focus
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – Gail Devers
Monday Morning Message 3.11.24 Our Faculty's Fingerprints
“Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch.” - Judy Blume
Not a week goes by when I don’t receive a positive message about the extraordinary teaching of our faculty. I’m pleased to share emails I’ve received these past few months. Our faculty’s fingerprints will never fade from the lives they’ve touched.
Associate Dean and Professor Carolyn Broering- Jacobs / Assistant Dean Nick De Santis
CSU|LAW Students Taneisha Fair and Anastasia Sakairoun Appointed to Cleveland’s Inaugural Commission on Black Women and Girls
Two Current Cleveland State University College of Law students, 3LE Taneisha Fair and 3L Anastasia Sakairoun, were among the nine members recently appointed to Cleveland’s inaugural Commission on Black Women and Girls. Taneisha and Anastasia, both Dean's Leadership Fellows at CSU|LAW, were sworn-in by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in February.
The commission exists to advocate for programs and legislation that’s intended to improve outcomes for Black women and girls, along with their families and communities, by addressing systemic inequalities and structural obstacles that lead to poor outcomes faced by Black women in Cleveland.
Julian Gilbert ’23 Selected to Receive Distinguished Burton Award
2023 Cleveland State University College of Law graduate Julian Gilbert was selected as 2024 recipient of a Burton Award, run in association with the Library of Congress, presented by Law360, and co-sponsored by the American Bar Association. Julian is the first person from CSU|LAW to receive this prestigious “Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award” which has been presented since 1999 for outstanding student lega