The Journey Begins for SJU Law 1Ls

By David Brand

Queens Daily Eagle

After completing a two-week introduction to law session, St. John’s University School of Law students officially began their pursuit of a law degree this week — buoyed by words of encouragement from Dean Michael Simons.

“With Intro behind them, our 1Ls are ready for the fall semester to begin!” Dean Michael Simons wrote on Twitter.

A group of 1L students pose at the Fall Fest celebration. // Photos Courtesy of SJU Law.

Simons congratulated the diverse class students who range in age from 20 to 50 and arrive at St. John’s from various parts of the United States and the world.

Earlier this month, 237 J.D. students and 52 LL.M. students attended the Law School’s New Student Convocation.

The students attended 108 different colleges, pursued 50 distinct majors and 20 advanced degrees, according to St. John’s Law. More than 30 of are first-generation Americans.

A total of 24 students were born outside of the United States and 27 percent are people of color, the school reports. About 53 percent are women and 47 percent are men.

“You are cancer survivors and environmental activists, dancers and athletes, teachers and technologists,” Simons said at the convocation. “You have worked with refugees and sexual assault victims. You have started businesses and raised children.”