News + Events

“I chose Cleveland-Marshall because I felt the support and dedication to students even before I walked into the building...” – Courtney Parson ‘22

 “We study together, laugh together, and lift each other up…” -MaKenna Daus- ‘22 

 “We help each other and cheer on each other in a way that I think is unique to the school.” - AnnaMaria Jadue ’22

“I’m glad I chose Cleveland-Marshall because of the culture of teamwork and mutual care and respect the school has cultivated… ” - Melissa Obodzinski ’22

In the past week, we have had three very successful events- our Admitted Students Weekend, Academic Awards Ceremony, and Barrister’s Ball - each of which reflects our commitment to foster a friendly, collaborative, supportive culture and environment that supports our students.

Everything we do at our law school is a team effort, and our recent Admitted Students Weekend is a great example. All of us - faculty and staff alike - have an understanding that each of our job descriptions includes doing whatever we can to help each other and the law school succeed, especially our students, not just in the classroom, but outside the classroom.

We had over 150 guests, including 59 admitted students. I had the opportunity to speak personally with every admitted student and their family members and friends twice - on Friday evening at the Mather Mansion and again on Saturday in the Moot Court Room and in my office. To a person, they were impressed and grateful for the warmth our students, staff, alumni, and faculty extended to them.

Special thanks to Assistant Dean for Admissions Barbara Andelman and her team of John Bell and Estefany Rodriguez Perez and to Jill Natran, Administrative Coordinator, who led the team effort, and to Assistant Dean for Student and Career Services Sarah Beznoska and her team of Jaime Gay and Anne Wells who orchestrated the very successful Career Showcase at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) featuring about 20 of our prominent alumni, including Rose Fini ’94, President of the CMBA and Chief Legal and Ethics Officer for the Metroparks.

This past Friday, we held our annual Academic Awards Ceremony which honors many of our students for their academic achievements. It was great to see our Moot Court Room full again, and the excitement in the room was palpable. Special thanks to Layla Davis, Student Records Administrator, and Jamie Gay, Assistant Director of Student and Career Services, for their excellent direction and coordination of the 90-minute event. Special thanks also goes to our many alumni and friends who generously funded scholarships for our students, a number of which were announced at the ceremony.

The program and video of the event are here: 2022 C|M|LAW Academic Awards Ceremony. The video program begins at 4 minutes, 30 seconds.

This past Saturday night, The Barrister's Ball, sponsored by the Student Bar Association (SBA), was held at Market Square at Crocker Park with about 350 students and their guests. Because of Covid, this was the first time in two years that the Ball has been held. I had the chance to see our students in a different context - laughing, dancing, and celebrating their incredible accomplishments and friendships with each other.

This year’s planning was led by 3L Bess Massad, SBA Vice President. Bess and 3L Davona Mason, SBA President, gave welcoming remarks and 2L Gabby Hartstein spoke movingly in memory of Joshua Lee who tragically died last summer after his first year of law school. Adjunct Professor Kimberly Kendall Corral ’12, winner of the 2020 C|M|LAW Leader on the Rise Award, gave an inspiring keynote talk about finding your own path as a lawyer.

Each of these very successful events reflects the collaborative, supportive culture for which our law school is well known.

 Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay Committed to Living Justice.

Have a great day. Have a great week.

My best,

Lee

Lee Fisher
Dean, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law | Cleveland State University
Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law