Fordham Law Summer Institute

About the Summer Institute

The program includes opportunities that allow participants to expand their professional networks and learn about the practice of law in the U.S. and U.S. LLM programs.

  • Core Classes

    The Summer Institute typically offers classes in Civil Procedure and Litigation, Constitutional Law, Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Contract Law, Corporations, Cross-Border Banking and Credit Risk Management, Criminal Law, Defamation and Privacy, Information Technology Law, Intellectual Property Law, Introduction to the U.S. Legal System, Landlord-Tenant Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Products Liability and Mass Torts, and U.S. Evidence and Trial Practice.

    Legal English: Drafting and Research & Special Workshops

    The Summer Institute has offered optional workshops to strengthen participants' legal English skills. These have included sessions on Legal Research and Writing a U.S.-Style Resume and Cover Letter. Students may also attend a workshop on Applying to LLM Programs, a specially-designed seminar for students who will apply to an LLM program at Fordham or elsewhere.

    Social Events

    Past Summer Institutes have included happy hour at a local bar, a Major League Baseball game, and a closing celebration.

  • The 2025 dates will be posted shortly. The 2024 schedule is below for reference.

    Unless otherwise noted:

    • Morning: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    • 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.
     
    Date/Time Topic Faculty/Notes
    Tuesday, July 9 Check in to Fordham Housing check in between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    Wednesday, July 10
    10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
    Third Floor Foyer
    Program Sign-In  
    Wednesday, July 10
    11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Welcome and Introduction to the Course

    Bernard Daraz, Director
    Jenna Pagnotta, Associate Director
    Program Co-Directors

    Wednesday, July 10
    12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
    Group Lunch  
    Wednesday, July 10
    Afternoon
    Introduction to the U.S. Legal System Professor Anthony Agolia
    Wednesday, July 10
    4:30 p.m.
    Group Photo  
    Wednesday, July 10
    5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
    Happy Hour Location TBA
    Thursday, July 11
    Morning
    Introduction to the U.S. Legal System Professor Anthony Agolia
    Thursday, July 11
    Afternoon
    Civil Procedure and Litigation Professor Howard M. Erichson
    Friday, July 12
    Morning
    Introduction to U.S. Legal Research (optional) Professor Wilson Holzhaeuser
    Friday, July 12 Lunch on your own  
    Friday, July 12
    Afternoon
    Class/Free Time TBA  
    Monday, July 15
    Morning
    Constitutional Law – Structural Issues Professor Martin Flaherty
    Tuesday, July 15
    Afternoon
    Constitutional Law – Rights and Liberties Professor Martin Flaherty
    Tuesday, July 16
    Arrive by 8:45 a.m.
    Visit to New York State Court The Honorable Shahabuddeen A. Ally, Supervising Judge
    Tuesday, July 16 Lunch on your own  
    Tuesday, July 16
    2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
    Contract Drafting and Negotiation Jose Luis Guerra, Esq.
    Wednesday, July 17
    Morning
    Products Liability and Mass Torts Professor Benjamin Zipursky
    Wednesday, July 17 Lunch on your own  
    Wednesday, July 17
    Arrive by 2:15 p.m.
    Visit to Morgan Lewis Ben Indek, Esq.
    Others TBA
    Thursday, July 18
    Morning
    Information Technology Law Professor Tom Norton
    Thursday, July 18
    Afternoon
    Defamation and Privacy Professor Benjamin Zipursky
    Friday, July 19
    Morning
    Writing a U.S.-Style Resume and Cover Letter (optional) Julie Anna Alvarez, Esq.
    Friday, July 19 Lunch on your own  
    Friday, July 19
    Arrive at 2:30 p.m.
    Visit to Metropolitan Museum of Art  
    Friday, July 19
    7:05 p.m.
    Major League Baseball Game: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Yankee Stadium
    1 E 161 Street
    Monday, July 22
    Morning
    Criminal Law Professor Gary Kaufman
    Monday, July 22
    Afternoon
    Contract Law Professor Francine Alfandary
    Tuesday, July 23
    Morning
    Landlord-Tenant Law Ouzy Azoulay, Esq.
    Tuesday, July 23
    Afternoon
    Cross-Border Banking and Credit Risk Management Professor Giorgio Bovenzi
    Wednesday, July 24 Free Time  
    Wednesday, July 24
    12:45 – 1:15 p.m.
    LL.M. Programs in the U.S. Q&A Session (optional) Assistant Dean Cecilia Caldeira
    Bernard Daraz, Director
    Wednesday, July 24
    Afternoon
    Intellectual Property Law Professor Matthew Asbell
    Thursday, July 25
    Morning
    Corporations Professor Peter Halasz
    Thursday, July 25
    Afternoon
    Mergers and Acquisitions Professor Peter Halasz
    Friday, July 26
    Morning
    U.S. Evidence and Trial Practice Professor James Kainen
    Friday, July 26 Lunch on your own  
    Friday, July 26
    1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    Closing Celebration Empire Hotel Rooftop
    Saturday, July 27
    Must check out by 10:00 a.m.
    Check out of Fordham Housing
    Leave keys with security officer in McMahon Hall.
     

     

  • Who Can Register

    The Summer Institute is open to international law students and graduates with an interest in U.S. law. There are no specific academic requirements in order to register for this program. All courses will be conducted in English, but we do not require any language assessment scores.

    Many students who are coming to the United States for an LLM degree find this program helpful as an introduction to U.S. law prior to their master's studies. Each year we also welcome many other international law students, graduates, and practitioners who are interested in U.S. law.

    When to Register

    The deadline for registration and full payment is approximately one month before the program's start. However, space in the program is limited and early registration is encouraged. We expect this program to fill before the registration deadline. Participants are accepted to the program in the order in which complete registrations, including the deposit, are received.

    Register for the Summer Institute

     

  • Fordham Housing

    *Housing for the 2024 program closed as of the end of May 31, 2024.*

    Fordham will offer a limited number of single rooms in SHARED suite apartments on or near campus for the 2024 Summer Institute. Students are also welcome to secure accommodations independently, off campus.

    Fordham housing generally provides each occupant with the following:

    • Twin bed
    • Dresser
    • Closet
    • Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towel

    In suite-style residences, four single rooms share a bathroom and living room, and a kitchen supplied with cabinets and stove. Please note that kitchens do not come equipped with cooking equipment, dishes, or utensils.

    Additional amenities provided with Fordham housing have historically included:

    • 24 hour security
    • Laundry facilities
    • Wireless internet access
    • Air Conditioning
    • Linens changed weekly

    *Students who intend to secure accommodations independently are reminded to exercise caution when making arrangements. International students trying to secure housing while abroad are particularly prone to fraud.  Avoid any arrangement that requires a wire transfer before arrival.

    Accommodations for Incoming LLM Students

    Students who will attend the Summer Institute immediately prior to attending the LLM at Fordham may be able to apply for early student housing on or near campus. Students can consult with the Office of Residential Life for additional information on housing for the academic year.

    Immunization Requirement

    Pursuant to New York State Public Health Law Section 2165, all participants living in Fordham accommodations born on or after January 1, 1957, must have on file proof of immunity from measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccinations are strongly recommended.

    Any queries regarding immunization should be addressed to Maureen Keown, Director of the Fordham Health Center, at [email protected].

  • Choosing a Visa

    The University's Office for International Services (OIS) will process all visa paperwork for Summer Institute participants.

    Fordham does not require any specific visa type to attend the Summer Institute, but we do offer guidance to enable you to make a prudent choice customized for your personal case.

    Most program participants enter the U.S. as a B-1, B-2, or WT visitor. This is appropriate for those who are "coming to the United States primarily for tourism," and "also incidentally will engage in a short course of study during their visit." It cannot be used by participants who will be staying in the U.S. to pursue a degree-granting program after the Summer Institute. Therefore, if you choose the B-2/WT visa, you are entering the U.S. with "tourist" intentions, which is your primary purpose. Your "study" at Fordham in the Summer Institute is your secondary purpose. It is "incidental and avocational" to your primary tourist purpose.

    Fordham University issues 1-20s to support F-1 visa applications for our Summer Institute. If you wish to pursue the F-1 option, you should follow all instructions on this webpage.

    Obtaining an F-1 Visa

    The Summer Institute satisfies the F-1 visa/status requirements. Upon submission of the required documentation (see below), Fordham University will issue an I-20 which will enable participants to obtain an F-1 visa to enter the United States for the purpose of participating in our Summer Institute. Do not submit any information to the OIS until you have paid the $500 program deposit. If a participant wishes to obtain an F-1 visa, the below documents must be submitted directly to Mr. Sal Longarino in the Office for International Services by email at [email protected].

    • AFCOE form according to housing type (this form will available online closer to the start of the program);
    • Financial supporting statement, such as an official bank statement, bank or employer letter showing sufficient funds, or copies of award letters, loans, etc.;
    • A statement indicating whether the participant intends to pursue an academic program in the U.S. before or after the Summer Institute; and
    • A copy of the name and picture pages of the passport clearly showing the participant's full name and photograph.

    For additional information and fees, please click here.

    Special Instructions for Incoming Fordham Law LLM Students

    If you will attend the Summer Institute program prior to the LLM program, you will need to submit AFCOE forms for BOTH programs. LLM program AFCOE forms are available via the OIS website.

    In order to expedite your I-20 processing, please submit the AFCOE forms for both programs together, if possible.

    Visa Check-In at Arrival

    Federal regulations require all non-immigrants to provide documentation to the Office for International Services (OIS). Participants who are here on visas sponsored by Fordham should bring a copy of their I-94 to the first day of the program and complete the check-in form that will be provided with their welcome materials. A member of the Summer Institute program staff will collect these materials to provide to the OIS.

    For participants who will continue on to the LLM program in the fall, please indicate that you are incoming LLM student when you communicate with the OIS. OIS will email contact you when your LLM I-20 is issued.

    Further questions regarding visa issues should be directed to [email protected].

    Health Insurance

    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. Please note that 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. The 2024 cost was $206 per student, and should be expected to increase for 2025. Please direct any inquiries regarding participant medical insurance to [email protected].

  • The schedule of fees for the 2024 Fordham Law Summer Institute is below. 2025 fees will be available shortly.

    Program Fee: $3,000
    Program with single-occupancy housing on Fordham's campus: $5,500

    Fee includes tuition and course materials.

  • The Thiago Barbarisi Moraes Memorial Scholarship is established in memory of Thiago, a participant in the First Annual Fordham Law Summer Institute in NYC. Thiago, a much beloved member of the Fordham Law family, died tragically on June 7, 2008, in Sao Paolo.

    What we will always remember and treasure about Thiago was his wonderful, warm, and loving nature. He was unfailingly friendly, he was kind to all, he was gentle and sensitive, and he was a natural leader. Thiago enriched forever the lives of those who knew him, and he left us far too soon.

    The scholarship that has been created in Thiago’s memory is awarded to the law student or young lawyer from Brazil who best exemplifies the qualities that we loved about and admired in Thiago. The scholarship covers the full cost of the Summer Institute.

    Application Instructions

    To apply for this opportunity, please submit a personal statement indicating why you think that you would make a good candidate for this scholarship to [email protected]. This statement should be sent only after submitting the Summer Institute registration form. Please note that scholarship applicants are not required to submit the deposit.

    The deadline to apply is April 13. The recipient of the scholarship will be announced after the deadline and before May 1. Applicants not chosen for this opportunity will be invited to pay the deposit and join the program at the standard rate.

  • In addition to the Thiago Barbarisi Moraes Memorial Scholarship (for more information, refer to the relevant tab), the Summer Institute offers limited partial scholarships based on need and merit. These scholarships only apply to the program tuition; we are not able to offer discounts for Fordham housing.

    Financial aid is limited, and decisions will be made in the order in which requests are received. To be considered for financial aid, please send your resume and a statement of no more than one page explaining why you should be considered for aid to [email protected]. The deadline for the 2024 program is Monday, May 6, 2024.