Opportunity Fellowship Program
Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP’s Opportunity Fellowship Program enriches our firm’s culture and client experience.
The Program, which was launched in 2010, is co-chaired by firm partners John V. Terrana and Brian R. Sahn. Second-year Juris Doctor students at local ABA-accredited law schools are invited to participate. The Program is a paid, part- or full-time internship position during the summer. The student also receives a stipend to be applied to their law school tuition for the academic year.
The opportunity criteria are all-encompassing – ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, first generation to attain higher education, family background presented a challenge, first generation immigrants from other countries, among others.
This Program has been fruitful in maintaining the firm’s relationships with local law schools and recruitment initiatives. Many interns have been hired upon law school graduation.
Past Opportunity Fellowship Program Intern Testimonials
Lauren Smith , Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Interning at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP has provided me with an incredibly rewarding summer experience. I was able to assist attorneys across numerous practice areas with various projects, such as: brief and memorandum drafting, corporate, statutory and case law research, and much more. The work culture fostered at FDT encourages learning and camaraderie, all while tackling complex legal issues. Interning at FDT has built a strong foundation for my legal career and future endeavors!
Michael Brinn, Benjamin N. Cardoza School of Law
My summer at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP was a formative and energizing experience. As a member of both the Real Estate and Construction practice groups, I was entrusted with substantive legal work that gave me a comprehensive view of what it means to practice law at a high level.
Over the course of the summer, I had the opportunity to draft lease agreements, co-op board regulations, general releases, insurance claims, subpoenas, notices of motion, affirmations, and memoranda of law. I conducted legal research on a wide range of issues including bank wire fraud, time is of the essence provisions, AIA construction contracts, and personal liability. I reviewed title reports and surveys for development properties and represented a bank at a co-op closing—an experience that stood out as both challenging and rewarding.
The firm made every effort to include me in the full scope of practice, from sitting in on client closings and conference calls to attending networking events and award ceremonies. One of the highlights of my summer was co-authoring an article on contractual risk transfer in comparative negligence jurisdictions alongside my advising partner—a project that gave me the chance to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s thought leadership.
What set FDT apart was not just the quality of work, but the culture of mentorship and inclusion. I was encouraged to ask questions, take initiative, and grow as a future attorney. I’m leaving this fellowship with practical skills, valuable insights, and a deep appreciation for the firm’s commitment to professional development.
Yuval Rosenthal, New York Law School
Yuval Rosenthal, an intern during the summer of 2021 said, “My time at FDT was instrumental in preparing me for practice. I got to engage with complex client matters and was encouraged to explore my interests by collaborating with attorneys across many of the firm’s practice groups. In addition, I was given the opportunity to speak with clients, draft memoranda, pleadings, and transaction documents, and attend client meetings alongside the firm’s attorneys.”
“I was welcomed as a peer and was treated collegially and respectfully. In fact, many of the kind, personable and approachable attorneys and staff members I met while at FDT turned into mentors and long-lasting friends. Lastly, I am immensely thankful to FDT for recognizing the importance of diversity in the legal field and for continuing to elevate those with non-traditional backgrounds among their ranks,” he added.
Jonathan P. Weiss, St. John’s University School of Law
FDT’s diversity program gives law students a tremendous, in-depth experience while promoting diversity in the legal market. During my summer as a diversity fellow, I worked hands-on with a great team of experienced attorneys in multiple areas of law. I was able to heighten my legal writing and researching skills. Summering at a firm such as FDT dramatically helped expand my network as I progress in my legal career. A program like this helps diversify the legal profession by giving opportunities to aspiring attorneys.
Josephine R. Pinnock, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
As a Summer Associate at Forchelli Deegan Terrana, I had the opportunity to work with a number of attorneys in various practice areas. The attorneys were supportive from the start, and consistently provided interesting, yet challenging assignments for myself and the other interns as well. The types of assignments ranged from producing formal memos and drafting complaints, to assisting with articles on legal issues that the attorneys are passionate about. Additionally, each attorney I worked with returned my assignments with thoughtful, constructive feedback. Every attorney’s door is always open, and they welcomed interns to discuss assignments, but also to discuss general professional development in the field. It is clear they are invested in my growth as a law student and future attorney.
The atmosphere of the firm is collegial and friendly. It is a unique setting where all the attorneys, staff, and interns can come together during lunch. This was definitely one of the many highlights of the summer.
I’ve enjoyed my summer at Forchelli Deegan Terrana and am grateful for the mentorship and guidance the attorneys and staff at the firm provided. I’m excited to see how the firm continues to grow moving forward.
Camila Morcos, St. John’s University School of Law
This summer, I had the exceptional privilege of collaborating with various departments at Forchelli Deegan Terrana, including Tax Certiorari, Corporate, Trusts and Estates, Real Estate, and Labor and Employment. In this dynamic setting, I was able to gain hands-on experience in various legal facets such as attending depositions, creating a secured line of credit promissory note, and researching the impact of a recent Supreme Court decision on current New York statutes, to name a few. Additionally, I honed my writing skills by drafting memoranda on novel legal questions, revising and editing loan documents, and drafting an article on taxpayers’ rights to surplus funds from tax lien foreclosure procedures.
My knowledge was particularly enriched in the field of Tax Certiorari, where I gained insights into the law and had the opportunity to work with the talented team of attorneys within the department. I had the honor of attending an award ceremony honoring FDT’s Tax Certiorari team, writing a comprehensive memorandum on the scope of discoverability in special proceedings, and conducting daily research to assist the attorneys.
One of the most striking features of Forchelli Deegan Terrana is the culture of mutual appreciation and recognition. The firm strongly encourages a shared celebration of individual achievements, creating an environment where applauding the successes of others is a norm rather than an exception. This approach fosters a strong sense of unity and camaraderie among team members.
Forchelli Deegan Terrana is truly exceptional place to work, learn, and grow.