Events

Fashion Law Practicum

Fashion Law Practicum course applications are now being accepted for Spring 2024. 

 

Application instructions:  Submit your application to the Fashion Law Institute’s university email address, fashionlaw@fordham.edu, with the subject header, “Application for Fashion Law Practicum Spring 2024,” no later than Wednesday, October 4th at 5:00pm EST. The application should consist of a maximum 200-word statement about your qualifications, a résumé, and a transcript. Applications sent after the due date will be given lowest priority.

 

Prerequisite: At least one prior fashion law course (specify in application).  

 

Post-application process:  The course instructors choose the initial set of participants, who are then confirmed by the internship sponsors. Please do not attempt to contact the course instructors or potential internship sponsors during the selection process.  Only students who receive notification that they have been accepted to the course will be permitted to enroll, and the Registrar’s Office will enroll accepted students directly.

 

Important notices:  Like other drafting courses, the Practicum is extremely small — typically around 8 students. Students taking clinic courses or working (including at another internship) are advised against concurrently taking the Practicum due to the time commitment involved.  Instead, consider Fashion Law Drafting, which is essentially the same as the Fashion Law Practicum apart from the Praticum’s fieldwork component.  Fashion Law Drafting is also a small course but does not require a separate application.  Students may not take both the Fashion Law Practicum and Fashion Law Drafting.  If you have questions, please contact Ariele Elia, ariele@fashionlawinstitute.com.  

 

Please note that acceptance into the Fashion Law Practicum course and registration are contingent upon subsequent approval by the fashion house or other fashion-related company, nonprofit organization, or law firm to whom the applicant is assigned for the fieldwork component of the course. 

 

Description of course: This advanced seminar, which consists of both a classroom component and a fieldwork placement, will develop students’ skills in the practice of fashion law. Students will complete a series of drafting assignments of increasing complexity, such as a cease-and-desist letter, a licensing agreement, a retail lease, a manufacturing agreement, an employment agreement, a consignment agreement, articles of organization and an operating agreement for a limited liability company, a model release form, sweepstakes rules, website terms of use, and a privacy policy and/or a complaint, each related to an aspect of fashion law. In addition, each student will be assigned to fieldwork placement at a fashion house or other fashion-related company, nonprofit organization, or law firm with a substantial practice in the field of fashion law.

 

Fashion Week Panel: Designing Diversity II

Gold ribbon and Fashion Law Institute needle-and-spool gavel logo

Fashion has taken strides toward greater racial diversity – but as we anticipated in our panel discussion last fall, the U.S. Supreme Court has effectively eviscerated affirmative action, a key civil rights tool for over half a century.  While the opinion addressed college admissions policies, its reasoning is far broader, and follow-on cases challenging corporate internships and scholarships are already on the horizon.  Could a pledge to stock more products from an underrepresented group, a hiring strategy intended to achieve racial or other forms of diversity, or a program of targeted support for minority designers now be considered unconstitutional?  How might the decision affect existing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs?  And what are the best legal and ethical strategies for collecting the dividends of diversity and promoting the full spectrum of style in light of the Court's decision?  Our panel of experts for "Designing Diversity after Affirmative Action, Part II" will discuss these questions and more.  Join us at the beginning of New York Fashion Week to celebrate the Fashion Law Institute's 13th anniversary and engage in one of our favorite roles:  cutting-edge analysis and constructive problem solving.

DATE: Friday, September 8, 2023
TIME: 9:30-10:45am (breakfast 9am)
PLACE: Fordham Law, 150  W. 62nd St., 2nd floor (Bateman Room)
NYS CLE: 1.5 hours Ethics and Professionalism, transitional and non-transitional

SPEAKERS:
Angie Byun, AB World
Hayley Macon, Endeavor
Jeff Trexler, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Kenya Wiley, Georgetown University

MODERATOR:
Professor Susan Scafidi
Founder & Director, Fashion Law Institute

Due to the social significance of this topic, there is no required registration fee. Voluntary donations are welcome – and tax-deductible!

Register now!

Designing Diversity 2: After Affirmative Action

Gold ribbon and Fashion Law Institute needle-and-spool gavel logo

Fashion has taken strides toward greater racial diversity – but as we anticipated in our panel discussion last fall, the U.S. Supreme Court has effectively eviscerated affirmative action, a key civil rights tool for over half a century.  While the opinion addressed college admissions policies, its reasoning is far broader, and follow-on cases challenging corporate internships and scholarships are already on the horizon.  Could a pledge to stock more products from an underrepresented group, a hiring strategy intended to achieve racial or other forms of diversity, or a program of targeted support for minority designers now be considered unconstitutional?  How might the decision affect existing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs?  And what are the best legal and ethical strategies for collecting the dividends of diversity and promoting the full spectrum of style in light of the Court's decision?  Our panel of experts for "Designing Diversity after Affirmative Action, Part II" will discuss these questions and more.  Join us at the beginning of New York Fashion Week to celebrate the Fashion Law Institute's 13th anniversary and engage in one of our favorite roles:  cutting-edge analysis and constructive problem solving.

DATE: Friday, September 8, 2023
TIME: 9:30-10:45am (breakfast 9am)
PLACE: Fordham Law, 150  W. 62nd St., 2nd floor (Bateman Room)
NYS CLE: 1.5 hours Ethics and Professionalism, transitional and non-transitional

SPEAKERS:
Angie Byun, AB World
Hayley Macon, Endeavor
Jeff Trexler, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Kenya Wiley, Georgetown University

MODERATOR:
Professor Susan Scafidi
Founder & Director, Fashion Law Institute

Register now!

Due to the social significance of this topic, there is no required registration fee. Voluntary donations are welcome – and tax-deductible!

Media Mentions 2023

2023 (selected) 

The New York Times, August 29, 2023

 

Springer, August 9, 2023

 

Vogue Business, July 27, 2023

Complex, July 18, 2023

 

Shein lawsuit accuses fashion-fashion site of RICO violations

CBS News, July 17, 2023

 

Shein's Winding Path to an IPO

Business of Fashion, July 7, 2023

 

Fashion School Leaders Express Concern Over Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision

WWD, June 29, 2023

 

What Happens When Designers Team Up With Shein

Business of Fashion, June 8, 2023

 

Why Gen-Z Loves Dupes

Business of Fashion, April 24, 2023

 

Supreme Court Puts Hold on Transgender Sports Ban

Bloomberg Law, April 13, 2023

 

Virtual try-on is being hit by class actions. Should brands worry?

Vogue Business, March 7, 2023

 

Why your employer can dress code you for being part of the no bra club

The U.S. Sun, February 24, 2023

 

The MetaBirkins Creator Isn’t Done Fighting Yet

Business of Fashion, February 22, 2023

 

What the Hermes MetaBirkins Victory Means for the NFT Market

Surface, February 9, 2023

 

Making Sense of the Hermes v. Rothschild Metabirkins Verdict

Fashionista, February 9, 2023

 

Hermes Won its Lawsuit Against Mason Rothschild. What Happens Now?

Retail Brew, February 9, 2023

 

Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner Go Wild at Paris Fashion Week

The Daily Beat, January 23, 2023

 

Designer Thom Browne bests Adidas in court battle of stripes

AP News, January 12, 2023

 

What are the Potential Outcomes of the Adidas vs. Thom Browne Lawsuit?

Fashion Network, January 11, 2023

13th Annual Symposium

Are you ready for a smart and intellectually sophisticated spring fling?  Although rough winds may yet shake the darling buds of May, the pandemic is so last season.  As we re-focus on cutting-edge legal issues of importance to the fashion industry, in subject areas as diverse as IP and AI, global trade, consumer protection regulation and legislation, and of course dress itself, it is clear that we are in a moment of renewal and regrowth – and one that will have significant impact. Please join us in person on Friday, April 28, for the 13th annual Fashion Law Institute symposium, a full day’s bouquet of sharing and discussion!

DATE: April 28, 2023
TIME: 9am-6pm
PLACE: Fordham Law School, 150 W. 62nd Street
NYS CLE: 6.0 hours total (5.0 professional practice, transitional & non-transitional, and 1.0 diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias)

SPEAKERS:

  • Sana Ahmed, The Fashion Law Africa Summit
  • Claire Bing, Maesa
  • Michael Busiashvili, OX Fine Jewelry
  • Jana Checa Chong, Louis Vuitton
  • Sindy Ding-Voorhees, Kilpatrick Townsend
  • Ray DeForest/Doris Dear, award-winning drag icon/fashion influencer
  • Caen Dennis, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
  • Julia Ensor, Federal Trade Commission
  • Kristin Garris, McCarter & English
  • David Horowitz, Media Coalition
  • Sydney Kipen, Gucci
  • Haley Macon, Endeavor
  • John Maltbie, Louis Vuitton
  • Walé Oyerinde, Atklás
  • Ashley Pusey, Maureen Data Systems
  • Tiffany Stevens, Jewelers Vigilance Committee
  • Professor Susan Scafidi, Fashion Law Institute
  • Jeff Trexler, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
  • Caitlyn Walsh, Chanel
  • Kenya Wiley, Georgetown University
  • Sara Yood, Jewelers Vigilance Committee

PANELS:

9am
Continental breakfast

9:20am
Welcome: Budding thoughts

9:30-10:30am
Cross-pollination: Global trade issues, from diamonds to TikTok

10:45am-11:45am
Cuttings: Intellectual property at the U.S. Supreme Court

12-1pm
Lunch: Edible arrangements

1-2:15pm
New varieties: AI, NFTs, technology, and fashion

2:30-3:30pm
Green: New trends in legislation and regulation

3:45-4:45pm
Thorny problems: Gender-specific dress codes and anti-drag laws

5-6pm
Reception: Garden party

This event will not be livestreamed, but if we are able to record individual panels, we will share the links afterward.

$ 0.00
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Call for Fashion Law Research Assistants & Pop-Up Clinic Student Director

The Fashion Law Institute is excited to announce that we are seeking a student, ideally rising second-year, for the position of student director of our Fashion Law Pop-Up Clinic. The student director is expected to participate in the clinic for a two-year period or until their graduation, and the selected candidate will work closely with Professor Susan Scafidi, Founder & Director of the Fashion Law Institute, and Assistant Director Ariele Elia.  More information about the Fashion Law Pop-Up Clinic is available here.  In addition to regularly scheduled clinics, the Fashion Law Institute periodically takes on more extensive pro bono projects.

In addition, Professor Scafidi is seeking first-year summer research assistants for projects in the field of fashion law.

Please send your resume, law school transcript, and a statement of interest no longer than 200 words to ariele@fashionlawinstitute.com.

All applications should be submitted by 11:00am on Monday, March 6.

If you have any questions, please email ariele@fashionlawinstitute.com.

Inside Out 8

Sold Out! placed over announcement for Inside Out 8: Fashion's In-House Counsel Shares Schadenfreude, Friday, February, March 10, 2023, from 8:45-10:00am. Image: pink smirking face.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT AND REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
We look forward to seeing you at a future event!

Join us for our 8th annual panel featuring fashion's in-house counsel!

In-house counsel can rarely discuss their own cases or problems in public, but everyone is keeping an educated eye on others' issues.  We've asked about the litigation, legislation, scandals, social issues, and other matters that our colleagues at fashion-related companies are glad are on someone else's desk and not their own, and we're eager to learn about what they're watching.  Join us during New York Fashion Week for our 8th annual in-house counsel panel, "Inside Out 8: Fashion's in-house counsel shares schadenfreude"!  This session will not be recorded.

DATE: Friday, February 10, 2023
TIME: 9:30-10:45am (continental breakfast at 9am)
PLACE: Fordham School of Law, 150 W.62nd St., New York, NY. 10023
NYS CLE: 1.5 hours professional practice, transitional and non-transitional

Confirmed speakers include: 
  • Angie Byun, AB WORLD
  • Lizzy Han, Chanel
  • Ariel Sodomsky, Coty
  • Nick Barnhorst, Fresh
  • John Maltbie and Jana Checa Chong, Louis Vuitton
  • Alice Pang, Ralph Lauren
  • Ashley Valdes, Warby Parker
  • Moderated by Professor Susan Scafidi, Founder & Director, Fashion Law Institute at Fordham

For more information about the Institute or the CLE hardship policy, please contact us at events@fashionlawinstitute.com.