“It settles down into the unconscious,” he says. “I’m teaching a class on emotions this fall, and that’s one of the points—the emotions you feel have to do with how a situation is framed. It’s like the old subliminal advertising thing.”

For Karen Greenberg, director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School, threats to democracy from disinformation are vast and real, but voters and election officials have never been more vigilant.

“Look, we know we’re being spun,” says Greenberg, co-editor of Our Nation at Risk: Election Integrity as a National Security Issue. 

“The question is, can we step back for a moment and say, ‘I know I’m being spun. How do I either ignore this and move on to something else, or how do I put this in a category where I know that this is likely disinformation or misinformation and see what I can do to verify it?’”

Here are some tips Greenberg and Davenport shared to help you stay aware of—and minimally influenced by—disinformation this election season.

Be skeptical of new messages about the election—and their messengers.

“Whenever you see new information about the election, really close to the election, you should be suspicious,” says Davenport, who directs Fordham’s Peace and Justice studies program and is a frequent political commentator for publications like Newsweek and America. “If there’s some new news source that you’re just seeing for the first time this fall, and you have questions, google them and find if there are any reports about this source.”

On social networks, he says, keep an eye out for new friend and follow requests from people and groups you don’t know, and “just be conscious that you are being manipulated by algorithms, and their goal is to addict you to hateful content because that’s what sells.”

Greenberg notes that there are laws in place against promoting disinformation related to elections, but they’re hard to enforce without buy-in from private companies. 

Don’t let disinformation lessen your belief in objective facts.

As deepfakes, doctored photos, and AI-generated images flourish, it may feel tempting to dismiss the possibility of objective truth in the media we consume. Davenport cautions against this kind of wholesale skepticism, though.

Disinformation campaigns often try to foster chaos and confusion, Greenberg says, and create the sense that “a country can’t quite hold it together through a transition period.”

“There has to be a counternarrative to ‘we’re doomed, we’re victims,’ she says. “We’re not victims.”  

Be patient at the polls.

No matter how well-trained volunteer poll workers are, it’s going to be hard to prepare them for “any kind of aberrations that come up because of misinformation,” Greenberg says. “Go early … and just be patient.”  

And don’t be deterred, Davenport adds. 

“Don’t be scared away. Even if you see something telling you that the line at your polling place is two hours long.”  

Take advantage of available election resources.

Despite all the worries that election disinformation sparks in experts, Greenberg is heartened by what she says is “an incredible amount of attention” being paid to the issue by voters, law enforcement, and election officials. And she feels confident that voters are, on the whole, savvy enough to have their antennae up. 

To stay informed, she recommends resources like Election Law Blog and Democracy Docket. And Davenport points out that contacting your county clerk’s office—or checking its website—is a good way to get any necessary information about voting.  “We still need to tell people about the threats,” he says, “but then with that, we can say, ‘And here’s how you can find reliable sources on these topics.’”

Landau will be formally installed in his new role in a ceremony on Sept. 12. Fordham Now sat down with him to discuss his vision for Fordham Law.

You taught at Fordham Law for many years and won the school’s Teacher of the Year Award twice. What did you enjoy about teaching, and how will it inform your role as dean?

Teaching has always been a highlight of my career. There’s something truly special about witnessing students tackle complex legal questions and watching them grasp new ideas. It’s a privilege to dive into the legal subjects I enjoyed most as a practicing attorney and see them come alive in new ways in the classroom. And Fordham students are amazing. They come to class prepared and ready to engage.

In your opening message to the Fordham community, you said that Fordham Law is well-positioned to address the “major challenges of our time,” including the polarization placing strains on our legal and political institutions. With a presidential election coming up, that polarization is likely to reach a fever pitch. How can Fordham Law address this challenge?

Fordham is committed to an environment in which students engage with diverse perspectives and develop the skills to counsel clients from all walks of life. Our graduates possess a unique ability to listen attentively, speak with clarity, and bridge divides. We are also unique for our community of trust—a place where people have respect for differing viewpoints and extend grace to those with whom they might disagree. When challenges arise, we get to lean into that communal fabric, and it makes a big difference.

You’ve spent your career working on behalf of marginalized communities, from recent immigrants to LGBTQ+ Americans. How will you continue this work as dean?

Fordham Law has a proud tradition of being a school of opportunity, opening doors for those who face barriers to a legal education. We are a place where students from diverse backgrounds come together, and we see ourselves as a positive force for change. This aspect of Fordham’s identity resonates very strongly with my work in social and legal movements, uniting people around common causes while driving change. I’m committed to continuing this work at Fordham, and I’m excited about it. We have always been—and will continue to be—a law school that promotes an education that brings out the best in everyone so that the broadest range of students can access the transformative power of legal education.

In an article you co-wrote with your predecessor, Dean Matthew Diller, you said that law schools must educate students about new technology emerging in the legal field, including virtual litigation tools, remote networking, and artificial intelligence. What steps should law schools be taking to ensure future lawyers use these technologies effectively and ethically?

The pace of technological change has been astounding, and not just in areas like AI. Law schools must stay ahead by equipping students not only to understand these tools but also to be leaders in shaping their future. Fordham Law School is positioning itself at the epicenter of law and technology. This means hosting conferences where the most important discussions on technology and the law take place, creating tech-focused competition teams, and fostering partnerships that expose students to real-world tech-driven legal problems. Our students engage with pressing issues such as AI and its intersection with ethics, bias, privacy, and both domestic and global regulation—preparing them for leadership in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

You have said that Fordham Law operates “more fluidly across the theory-practice divide” than any other law school in the world. Can you explain what that means and why it makes you proud?

Some law schools focus heavily on abstract legal theory, while others train students solely for specific events like the bar exam. At Fordham, we excel at finding the ideal balance between those two approaches. Our students graduate with both a deep understanding of legal principles and the skills to apply them in real-world contexts—whether in private practice, government, or public service, and our alumni do some of the most important and sophisticated work across the legal field. This dual focus on both academic excellence and professional preparedness also defines our extracurricular offerings, competitions, and professionalism training. It’s what makes Fordham Law unique and why our alumni are so successful throughout the profession.

According to Joseph Landau, the Dean of Fordham University School of Law, empathy plays a huge part in being an effective critical thinker. “Understanding where others are coming from, and acknowledging their problems, are crucial steps to forming our own opinions about an issue, especially if we are trying to be part of the solution to those problems,” Landau says. “This means considering not just the context of words, but the broader context so that we can engage in a dialogue that is both insightful and respectful.”

Landau places a premium on the “respectful” aspect of communication. Helping law students understand the importance of “civil discourse,” with an emphasis on civil, is a top priority for him.

Landau believes that “[e]mbracing that unknown and being open to unexpected opportunities are essential components of a critical mindset.” Those unexpected opportunities might include the chance to learn from sources we’re normally skeptical about.

“We need to ask ourselves if we have fully considered all aspects of an issue, including potential counterexamples and counterarguments. By challenging our assumptions and testing our hypotheses, we cultivate a mindset of discernment that is both rigorous and open-minded,” Landau says.

“I think it would be quite a statement if the Circuit Court removes her from the case, but I think in this instance it would be warranted,” said Cheryl Bader, a Fordham University law school professor and former federal prosecutor. “There does seem to be a pattern of Judge Cannon bending over backwards to create delay and obstacles.”

After reading her result, Owes, 30, yells out, “I passed! I passed!” before jumping up and then bursting into tears.

Owes wrote in text overlaid in the video, “POV: You’re a formerly incarcerated single mom who passed the bar early on the first try.”

In the accompanying caption, she wrote in part, “Thank you to my angels, my momma, my grandma. Thank you for my son, my brother, my family and my tribe.”

Owes was also featured on The Tamron Hall Show.

“You have an obligation to behave in the interest of that organization,” said Linda Sugin, a professor of nonprofit law at Fordham University. “The problem is, when you’re on both sides of the transaction, then we’re skeptical that you’re going to put the organization’s interests before your own.”

Ms. Sugin said the institute could have reduced its risk by soliciting bids from competing firms to gauge whether the insiders were charging market rates. The institute could have asked its leaders to recuse themselves from the decision to hire their own companies, she said.

“This feels like a blow to the #MeToo movement, and I think this ruling will retraumatize victims, but I’m hoping the victims will see the court’s ruling in a limited way,” Bader said. “Hopefully, this won’t dissuade victims from coming forward,” she said.

“Now the US Census Bureau compounds that error by appointing a 2030 Census Advisory Committee devoid of any Afro Latino experts. These combined failures now risk having systemic racism rendered invisible while Latino decision-makers continue to deny Afro Latinos access. The OMB reform needs further reform,” said Tanya Katerí Hernández, the Archibald R. Murray Professor of Law at Fordham Law School. 

Dear Fordham Community,

Passover is a festival when Jews remember the bondage of the Jewish people under the pharaohs in Egypt and give thanks for our deliverance. Central to Passover is the Seder—a large feast on the first two nights of Passover at which participants read and recite the Haggadah, which recounts the story of Exodus laden with songs and rabbinic interpretations. During the eight days of Passover, observers of the holiday are forbidden to eat bread or other foods with yeast. Instead, the only grain products we may eat are made with matzoh, a cracker-like unleavened bread. The story goes that in escaping, the Jews did not have time to let bread rise before baking.

Passover is principally celebrated in homes, rather than in synagogues. It is a time when families gather. I have attended seders every year of my life. Growing up, we went to our cousins. Later, my mother hosted our seders. Now we gather either in my sister Wendy’s or our own home. In addition to matzoh, Passover has many special foods that vary across Jewish communities worldwide. Although the word seder literally means “order,” seders in my family are inflected with a certain amount of chaos—a relaxed informality reflecting the joy of being together.

Many have reflected on the larger messages of Passover, including its emphasis on passing down history through generations and the connection we bear to our ancestors. The holiday’s central theme focuses on liberation from oppression through the combined power of human action and divine intervention. It has inspired Jews and oppressed peoples through the centuries.

Philosopher Michael Walzer has identified three elements in the story of the Exodus that liberation movements have looked to through the centuries:

First, oppression has a starting place—a metaphoric Egypt; second, there is a better place—a world that is more just, where humanity is more fully realized; and third, the path to that place lies through the wilderness—a journey which tests our character and resolve.

Whether you celebrate Passover or not, I hope the spring brings joy to your family and progress to the cause of freedom.

Happy Passover,
Matthew Diller, Dean
Fordham Law School

“At Fordham, I learned not only how to interpret the law but also how to be a lawyer and a leader for everyone,” said Lanier. 

His path to law school was unconventional. He studied theater and media communications during his undergraduate years and then moved from his native Texas to New York to pursue a job in public relations, but later realized this wasn’t the right career move. Lanier went on to found a nonprofit focused on LBGTQ+ health and wellness, where his community could safely exercise and “celebrate their queerness” together. After building the nonprofit, he realized he wanted to continue helping his community, but on a larger scale. 

“The only logical next step for me was to go into law, where I can help effect change for not just one person, but millions of people,” he said. 

Using the Law to Help Underserved Communities

Lanier’s first visit to Fordham Law took place in 2020, on the day the University shut down due to the pandemic. The building was empty, except for Lanier and a kind admissions counselor who gave him a tour, but that was all it took to convince him to enroll at Fordham. 

Lanier served as a student leader, including as president of the law school’s Student Bar Association and as a New York State Pro Bono Scholar. In the latter role, he worked with the NYC Anti-Violence Project on cases for several clients, including a gay man who was seeking asylum in the U.S. 

“The few times I was able to meet him, he was always very nervous and shy. But the minute the judge said ‘We are granting you asylum,’ his whole demeanor changed,” Lanier said. “During our post-asylum work, he has been so happy and joyful. You can see on his face that he feels safe. And to know that I was a small part of that huge change in his life is something that I will always remember.” 

After graduation, Lanier will become an associate at international law firm Clifford Chance, where he will work in white-collar litigation and criminal defense.  

Later in life, he’s thinking about serving in the political realm, where he can develop better legislation for the LGBTQ+ community, help formerly incarcerated people to return to society, and protect people from falling into homelessness, using the law as a tool. 

“Will is older and more experienced than many law students,” said adjunct professor Jerry Goldfeder, who taught Lanier last year. “I’ve come to see a real sense of his maturity and centeredness that I have no doubt will enable him to be a successful attorney.” 

Life Lessons From Illness

Lanier said his past personal challenges will also inform his career as a lawyer. He has lived with ulcerative colitis since he was 18 and was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 28. Lanier said these challenges have taught him to be resilient, cherish life, and keep an open perspective. 

“You never know what someone’s dealing with,” said Lanier, 37, who is now nine years in remission, engaged, and father to a shiba inu named Cash. “Meet everyone with compassion, assume positive intent when someone’s speaking to you, and always have an open heart.”

“The restoration of football changed the entire dynamic of the University,” energizing students and prompting many alumni to reengage with Fordham, said Costantino, a 1967 graduate of the Gabelli School of Business and 1970 graduate of Fordham Law School.

These days, he and his wife, Barbara Costantino, are continuing to invest in this school spirit by giving to Fordham athletics. They are among the University’s most generous benefactors, as signified by the naming of the Costantino Room at the law school and the Fordham Founder’s Award presented to them in 2018.

They’ve supported everything from the law school’s Neuroscience and Law Center to its Feerick Center for Social Justice and WFUV, Fordham’s public media station, as well as various undergraduate scholarship funds.

But athletics are especially resonant for them. They’ve given to a wide variety of sports programs—softball, soccer, sailing, others—and co-led the fundraising for a new suite of football offices at the Rose Hill campus.

Basketball at the Forefront

And they’ve invested in Fordham basketball, one of the programs that is firing up Fordham the most these days—in particular, the men’s program, with its performance that is prompting comparisons with the program’s glory days under head coach Richard “Digger” Phelps in 1971.

The Costantinos traveled with the women’s and men’s teams in February as the teams were amassing their respective regular season records of 18-11 and 24-7. “We have really wonderful student-athletes at Fordham. We’re very lucky,” John Costantino said, noting their courteous behavior as well as the strong academic records they maintain, despite packed schedules.

Athletics is a pillar of the University’s $350 million fundraising campaign, Cura Personalis | For Every Fordham Student, because of its potential to engage students and alumni and raise the University’s national profile.

The men’s team seems to show this potential, John Costantino said. “The students are responding, there’s no question,” he said, citing the sellout crowds for recent games. He also lauded Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham University, for her commitment to athletics as an important part of the University experience. “I think she’s terrific—she goes to the games, she cares, she’s a believer in athletics,” he said.

For the Costantinos, supporting athletics has provided a lifelong source of camaraderie and community. “We made so many lasting friendships,” said John, a former managing partner of NGN Capital and a Fordham trustee emeritus. “It’s been, for us, a real joy to be involved.”

What are the roots of your longstanding giving to Fordham athletics?
Barbara and I both had athletics in our families. I always loved sports—I was playing since early childhood in Brooklyn. I played football and intramural basketball and played baseball until I was almost 22. My father brought me to my first baseball game, a Brooklyn Dodgers game. When I was at Fordham, the restoration of football really brought out the school spirit because of the great history of the Seven Blocks of Granite [the famous Fordham football line that included Vince Lombardi, FCRH ’37]. I think Barbara and I went to every game before I graduated from Gabelli.

Athletics are a very important part of the university experience—for players, the other students, and also for alumni. Through athletics, we’ve met so many good people, and knowing a lot of these people helped my career. When you know people and they trust you and they’ve enjoyed being with you, they will reach out and help when they can. And that extends to giving—we have friends that are very involved in the sailing program, for instance, so we support that, and they’ve supported us on football and baseball and so forth, like a quid pro quo, as we say in the law.

What do you think is the most important ingredient in a sports team’s success?
I think principally it’s leadership. A coach who’s successful can be tough sometimes, and that results in raising the quality of play. But in the end, you have to show you care about those players. It’s a very fine line. The other thing is the sense of team. It isn’t a one-man show or one-woman show, it’s a team, and teams win games. One thing you learn playing athletics is how to work with diverse people, how to deal with a lot of things, because you don’t necessarily like everybody in that room, but you try. And when it does work, it’s quite magical, I think.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Barbara: Don’t forget where you come from. Keep your friends, try to be good to people, and maintain your ties.

John: I actually had two. My father told me, “Treat people like you want to be treated.”

Do you have any advice for today’s graduates as they launch their careers?
I think the key is to work hard, just as hard as you “work” while you’re playing. And do the right thing, even though it’s painful, because in the end it’ll serve you much better.

To ask about contributing to Fordham athletics, contact Kara Field, director of athletic development and assistant athletic director, at 973-223-2157 or [email protected].