Syracuse Law Recognizes Adam Leitman Bailey in 2018 Yearbook for His “Generosity and Commitment” to the School’s NYCEx Program
NYCEx Gets a Boost from Our Alumni
The Externship Program would not be possible without the generosity and commitment of alumni. Former students provide a range of benefits for the program, from hosting externs, to lecturing in “lawyer seminars,” to networking with students at alumni events in program cities.
Adam Leitman Bailey L’95, for instance, was the first alumni to jump on board the New York City expansion. He not only placed an extern in his firm but also secured premier NYCEx placements for others through his own professional network, including with judges. “I took it upon myself to make sure the students got the best jobs with the most potential, as great resume builders and chances for paying jobs at the end,” says Bailey.
Bailey is the sole managing partner at Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C., a law firm he started after graduating. Specializing in real estate law and boasting awards from Chambers USA, US News – Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Best Law Firms, and more, it is now the largest, solely owned law firm in the city. It also holds the distinction of being the only real estate firm to beat President Donald J. Trump in a law suit.
Motivated by his own struggle to find a job after law school and to build a professional network, Bailey says he finds himself in a unique position to give back. “I salute the College for taking the initiative to expand its Externship Program,” he says. “The least I could do is work my tail off to find these students quality placements so they can take advantage of these incredible opportunities at learning and obtaining experience and to help students in ways no one could help me when I graduated.”
Duty to Give Back
Philanthropic engagement with the College of Law occurs in myriad forms, and Bailey’s generosity, beyond his involvement in the launch of NYCEx, extends to annual gifts, scholarships, matching grants, sponsored programs, and speaking and participating in College programs and CLE events. “I always return calls from Syracuse students or help connect them to others,” adds Bailey.
In addition to his stewardship with his alma mater, Bailey also founded the charity organization Building Foundations and Dreams in 2002. Its mission is “to assist students of all ages in pursuing their professional and personal dreams” by providing scholarships and other financial support, as well as mentoring, funding for childhood illness prevention research, disaster relief, and more. For this charity work, Bailey was honored by the New Milford Education Foundation as their 2017 Humanitarian of the Year. “No matter how busy or tired I become, I am propelled to help those in need,” Bailey says.
Bailey continues, “Whatever success I have had comes straight from what I learned at the College of Law. I still use the trial techniques from Moot Court and Professor Travis Lewin’s mentorship, and I had an edge in real estate law thanks to Professor Deborah Kenn’s Community Development Law Clinic. I have a duty to give back.”
To current law students, Bailey offers this advice: “You have to give it a million percent. Everyone you meet is a contact, including your fellow law students. If you’re given an opportunity, don’t waste it by not trying to be the best, even if you’re not.”
