Two alumni of Cornell Law School and its First Amendment Clinic—Connor Flannery ’23 and Steven Marzagalli ’22—were awarded the Jackson Distinguished Alumni Award at the clinic’s annual Bootcamp held on August 29 and 30, 2024. The award, named after the clinic’s founder and current director, Mark Jackson ’85, recognizes exceptional work done by clinic alumni as co-counsel on clinic matters.
Flannery, now an associate at Dechert, has co-counseled with the clinic on three separate matters. He drafted a motion to intervene and unseal that led to the release of an important federal court document on behalf of media outlet the Bucks County Courier Times. He also argued in a New York appellate court for access to applications of judicial candidates appointed by the New York City mayor and in a Pennsylvania trial court for access to settlement records in a wrongful death suit. Flannery is currently working on an appeal in the latter matter.
“Since my first semester, I’ve admired the work, work ethic, and kindness of the Cornell First Amendment Clinic and considered my time with the clinic to be a tremendous gift, personally and professionally,” Flannery said. “To receive the Jackson Distinguished Alumni Award, on top of everything the clinic has already given me, is an exceptional honor.”
Marzagalli, an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, drafted motion papers in a New York trial court case seeking access to the investigative file concerning allegations of misconduct by the New York Police Department’s top uniformed officer. He cosupervised and mentored clinic students working on briefing and preparing for a court hearing in that same case. Marzagalli is currently counseling a media outlet client on a corporate restructure.
Marzagalli says he “applied to the clinic to work on cases like New York Times v. Sullivan and protect the First Amendment.”
“The idea behind our clinic’s alumni network is to encourage our students to continue to play some role in furthering First Amendment freedoms,” said Jackson. “No one has exemplified that commitment more effectively or consistently than Steven and Connor.”
Heather Murray, managing attorney of the clinic’s Local Journalism Project, supervised Flannery and Marzagalli on cases they worked on as alumni and during their four semesters as clinic students. “I am honored to have played a part in preparing Connor and Steven as they hone lawyering skills that will aid them throughout their careers while representing our clients,” said Murray.
