Field and Campus: Fall 2023
There’s always something new happening on New York Law School’s campus. From civic programs and panel discussions to community celebrations and student organization events, the fall semester was a busy one. Read some of our latest dispatches from 185 West Broadway.
This semester, the Center for New York City Law was pleased to welcome New Yorkers back to campus with a return to in-person CityLaw Breakfasts, the series which features prominent speakers discussing current government and political issues. The first in-person breakfast since the series went virtual in 2020 featured NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Ken Feinberg, the Special Master for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, was invited as the featured speaker for a special event on September 11, 2023, where he discussed his experiences overseeing the Fund and the lessons he learned from speaking with families The series also hosted City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, who spoke about the City’s goals and steps to achieve carbon neutrality, and advance economic and housing opportunity.
The NYLS Moot Court Association (MCA) hosted the 47th Annual Charles W. Froessel Intramural Moot Court Competition and welcomed a new cohort of NYLS students to join the MCA and prepare to compete nationally in the spring.
On September 20, New York Governor Kathy Hochul came to NYLS and signed a package of bills into law related to voter participation in front of 200 state and city officials, advocates, and NYLS students, faculty, and staff. NYLS Dean and President Anthony W. Crowell introduced Governor Hochul. Additional New York officials including Deputy Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Michael Gianaris, Assemblymember Latrice Walker, and Assemblymember Edward Gibbs, also spoke about the significance of these bills being passed.
The extended NYLS community joined together this fall for an inspirational ceremony dedicating the School’s main academic building as “Abbey Hall,” in honor of Arthur Abbey ’59 and Diane Abbey’s unmatched commitment to the Law School and exceptional legacy of support. NYLS Professor and Director of the Diane Abbey Law Institute for Children and Families Lisa Grumet spoke about the Abbeys’ enduring impact and NYLS student leaders Hailey Fletcher ’24, Lindsay Kantor ’24, and Alexandra Ogunsanya ’24 gave moving speeches as well. Grace Shim ’24 Evening also treated the attendees to a special musical tribute. The celebration ended with a rousing toast to the Abbeys by Dean Anthony W. Crowell, former Dean Richard Matasar, and Professor Lenni Benson.
The James Tricarico Jr. Institute for the Business of Law and In-House Counsel hosted a special event for NYLS students, faculty, and staff which featured a wide-ranging conversation between Christopher Lewis, former General Counsel of Edward Jones, and James A. Tricarico Jr. ’77, former Chief Legal Officer of Edward Jones, member of the NYLS Board of Trustees, and founder of the Tricarico Institute. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Tricarico shared anecdotes and lessons from their experiences over their careers and answered student questions about working as in-house counsel.
We had a wonderful celebration of the New York Law School alumni community this fall as we recognized graduates in classes ending in 8 and 3. Alumni came back to campus to catch up with classmates, reconnect with NYLS, and network with fellow alumni over a weekend full of special events including a SCOTUS Year in Review/Year Ahead panel, a memorable evening reception, a panel examining the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal industry, and even an urban tailgate for alumni and current students.
NYLS and the First Generation Professionals student organization hosted its annual First Generation Professionals Etiquette Dinner. The evening included a reception, dinner, and networking as well as an interactive program to help students learn how to navigate a cocktail hour and what dinner etiquette is needed to succeed in professional situations. NYLS Trustee and Distinguished Adjunct Professor Meryl Fiedler Lieberman ’81 was a guest speaker, and the event was well attended by NYLS faculty and alumni eager to support our first generation professionals.
On November 16, the NYLS OutLaws hosted their annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Raffle for the community. It was a lively night with Thanksgiving-style dinner, drinks, live drag entertainment, and a chance to win incredible raffle prizes. This year’s dinner benefited the Arthur S. Leonard Leadership Fund.
