Check out the latest digital issue of our School’s magazine highlighting accomplishments from Fall 2023. In this digital issue, you'll get a closer look at art and art law in the NYLS community, spotlights of accomplished alumni and faculty, and more.
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Professor Anna Cominsky Writes Op-Ed on a Fairer Criminal Justice System Post-COVID
Professor Cominsky’s piece focuses on how the pandemic is affecting New Yorkers involved in the criminal justice system.
New Career Development Program Connects 2020 Grads and Experienced Alumni
Like the Venable-NYLS Summer Associate Simulation Program last summer, LEAD directly responds to the challenges young professionals face in a job market impacted by COVID-19.
NYLS Launches the James Tricarico Jr. Institute for the Business of Law and In-House Counsel
Made possible by a substantial gift from distinguished alumnus James Tricarico Jr. ’77, the Institute will prepare law students and practitioners for the future of in-house counsel roles.
Students Present Innovative LegalTech Tools to Microsoft
Three NYLS students recently built first-of-their-kind legaltech apps using Microsoft’s Power Platform and presented their work to Microsoft’s Legal Operations Technical Sharing Committee.
Matthew Gaeta 2L Evening Is a Rising Star Sports Agent by Day, Law Student by Night
At age 20, Gaeta took the Major League Baseball Players Association agent certification exam, built a business plan, and founded his own company, Gaeta Sports Management, becoming one of the youngest certified agents in the sport’s history.
Message From the Dean on Black History Month
This year’s celebration comes at a deeply somber time, when Black Americans disproportionately bear the unjust burden of a global pandemic and a national crisis in policing.
Professor Rebecca Roiphe Discusses Former President Trump’s Final Pardons on CBS
On Inauguration Day, Professor Roiphe appeared live to discuss former President Trump’s final pardons and upcoming legal challenges.
Message From the Dean on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Today we honor the memory of our most iconic civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who possessed boundless courage and an enduring passion to better our country on behalf of people of color, and all oppressed peoples.
157 Law Deans Publish Rare Joint Statement on the 2020 Election and Events at the Capitol
Dean Crowell joined with 156 Law School Deans from schools across the country to publish a statement addressing the 2020 election and the events that took place in the United States Capitol last week.
Message From the Dean on the Capitol
As we prepare for classes, I would traditionally take this opportunity to offer you New Year’s wishes. And, as I have said to a number of you, it has been my deep hope that this year would bring us all — as a community of families, friends and colleagues, and as a nation — closer together.
The Top 10 Stories of 2020
Take a look at NYLS’s top-performing feature stories in 2020.
Reflections on the Passing of Mayor David N. Dinkins
New York Law School mourns the passing of one New York City’s most trailblazing, civic leaders, Mayor David N. Dinkins.
Criminal Defense Clinic Partners With Good Call to Support Low-Income New Yorkers Pre-Arraignment
This semester, NYLS’s Criminal Defense Clinic has partnered with Good Call to create comprehensive, unified training materials for its growing base of attorney volunteers,
New York Legal Community Rates NYLS’s Graduate Tax Program No. 1 for 11 Years Straight
The program is open to qualified lawyers who hold a J.D. degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school or an equivalent foreign law degree. Registration is open for Fall 2020 information sessions.
Message From the Dean on the 2020 Election Results
Today was an historic one for our nation and the world with the election of former Vice President Joe Biden as President, and Senator Kamala Harris as Vice President, the first woman and person of color to serve in that Office.
Dean Crowell’s Lessons in Leadership Featured in Inside Higher Ed
When Dean Anthony Crowell was asked to speak to fellow law deans at a meeting hosted by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) about how to support students through this election season, the lessons he learned leading New York Law School through the 2016 election were top of mind.
Strategic Plan Guides NYLS’s Approach to Navigating the Pandemic
Months into the unprecedented health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19, the Plan is guiding NYLS’s successful admissions, bar success, and career development initiatives.
NYLS Student and Alumna Named to City & State’s “40 Under 40”
The magazine’s prestigious 2020 list spotlights “unsung heroes who are influencing policies on a number of fronts, whether it’s the coronavirus pandemic, the recession, police brutality, or climate change.”
NYLS Joins National Coalition to Address Racial Inequities in Policing
NYLS has joined the American Bar Association (ABA) and other law schools nationwide in a new five-year initiative to improve U.S. police practices and oversight.
NYLS, Interfaith Center of New York, and State Bar Association Offer Lawyering and Religious Diversity Training
The training, which offers CLE credit, will help attorneys work effectively with clients from New York City’s diverse faith communities, in order to ensure equal access to justice for New Yorkers of all religious and secular backgrounds.
International Law Scholars Honor Professor Ruti Teitel’s Landmark Book on Its 20th Anniversary
Published in 2000, the book launched a new field—transitional justice—that applied a legal and scholarly framework to the rapid transitions to democracy many countries experienced during the late Twentieth Century.
NYLS Racial Justice Project Celebrates Key Win in Case Seeking Judicial Inquiry into Eric Garner’s Death
A major ruling today in Carr v. de Blasio paves the way for a judicial inquiry into the 2014 death of Eric Garner.
Message From the Board Chair and Dean on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Board Chair Arthur N. Abbey ’59 and Dean Anthony W. Crowell reflect on Justice Ginsburg’s life, career, and 2018 visit to NYLS.
Camille Mackler ’06 Launches Immigration Advocacy Nonprofit
After years of coalition-building within the immigration law community, Mackler has become Executive Director of an innovative new nonprofit.
NYLS Wins Recognition in Family Law and Human Rights Law
preLaw Magazine has awarded NYLS “A” grades in Family Law and Human Rights Law.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Danney Salvatierra ’19
Danney Salvatierra ’19 was always drawn to immigration law, a field that is unpredictable even in the best of times. But in Salvatierra’s first year of practice, she’s had to confront unprecedented challenges brought by COVID-19.
Jake Kaplan ’20 Joins Preet Bharara’s Production Team
Jake Kaplan ’20 arrived at NYLS with plans to work at the intersection of law and journalism. Having landed an Editorial Producer role at CAFE Studios, Preet Bharara’s production company, he’ll get the chance to do just that.
In the News: Professor Alvin Bragg
On August 10, Professor Alvin Bragg, Co-Director of NYLS’s Racial Justice Project, delivered oral arguments on behalf of the family of Eric Garner. The hearing—held virtually—drew widespread media coverage.
NYLS Recognizes Virtual Gala 2020 Donors
NYLS is proud to honor the individuals and organizations that participated in its first-ever virtual Gala this spring.
Watch Live: NYLS Racial Justice Project Argues for Judicial Inquiry into Eric Garner’s Death
Professor Alvin Bragg will appear in court on behalf of the family of Eric Garner and police accountability advocates.
NYLS Welcomes Alex Dimitrief as a Senior Fellow and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law
Professor Dimitrief, a global business leader and former General Counsel of GE, will teach Corporations and advise NYLS’s Center for Business and Financial Law.
Four Alumni Make Billboard’s 2020 Top Music Lawyers List
2020 has been no ordinary year for the profession.
New York Law School Announces Winner and Finalists of “HackNYLS 2020” Student App Development Competition
Students built software applications to address corporate legal operations challenges.
Statement by the NYLS Racial Justice Project on the State Legislature’s Passage of the Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act
In February 2020, the Racial Justice Project published an influential report on the stark racial disparities in traffic enforcement across New York.
Dean Crowell and the NYLS Racial Justice Project Reflect on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis
NYLS mourns the loss of a great American, a warrior for justice, and a friend of our institution.
Professor Kirk Burkhalter ’04 Is a Leading Voice on Police Education
Professor Burkhalter has brought his experience as a retired NYPD Detective and expertise as a criminal law scholar to the national conversation on American policing.
Colleagues Remember Professor Emerita Aleta Estreicher
Colleagues Remember Professor Emerita Aleta Estreicher New York Law School mourns the loss of Professor Emerita Aleta Estreicher (1948–2020). Members of the faculty and administration recently shared their reflections on Professor Estreicher, a beloved longtime colleague and a recognized authority…
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: John Pezzillo ’00
John Pezzillo ’00, who leads a South Carolina-based chemical company, quickly shifted his team’s operations to meet the growing need for affordable hand sanitizer.
New York Law School Announces New Faculty Appointments
Dean Anthony W. Crowell and Associate Dean William P. LaPiana announced new faculty appointments, effective July 1, 2020.
Message From the Dean on Pride Month
Read Dean Crowell’s message on Pride Month and human rights.
New York Law School Expands Its Nationally Recognized Family Law Program With New Journal and Juvenile Rights Clinic
This fall, NYLS is adding a new journal and juvenile rights clinic to its robust Family Law offerings.
Student Organizations Express Commitment to Racial Justice
In recent days, NYLS’s student-led organizations have shared community-wide messages expressing their support of Black Lives Matter and their commitment to advancing equity and justice within the School and the broader legal community.
Dean Crowell’s Community Messages on George Floyd, Police Violence, and Racial Justice
Read Dean Crowell’s recent messages to the NYLS community following the police killing of George Floyd and countless other unarmed Black men and women.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Nathalie Gonzalez ’14
As Legal Director at the nonprofit LIFT, Nathalie Gonzalez ’14 is working hard to help families navigate a host of new legal issues.
Video: Three NYLS Alumni Share Their Experiences
Three alumni speak about their experiences at NYLS and finding the right career paths for them in a new Q&A video.
Why Census 2020 Matters More Than Ever
This spring, Adjunct Professor and Senior Fellow Jeff Wice, who leads NYLS’s Census and Redistricting Institute, has been a key voice on why Census 2020 is critical.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Dr. Sassan Naderi ’18
Sassan Naderi ’18 is an Attending Physician of Emergency Medicine at Coney Island Hospital, a public hospital in one of the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. He’s witnessed the impacts of COVID in a way that few others have.
New York Law School and Venable LLP Announce Innovative Summer Associate Simulation Program
This summer, NYLS and Venable LLP are partnering on an innovative simulation program to provide NYLS students with academic credits and opportunities to work through real-world legal challenges related to COVID-19.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Estefani Rodriguez ’16
Estefani Rodriguez ’16 is co-leading a large-scale effort to feed healthcare workers while supporting local restaurants.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Katie James 4L Evening
Katie James 4L Evening works at NYC Emergency Management, where she’s managing key response logistics and helping kids understand COVID.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Mendel Taub 2L
In addition to his legal studies, Mendel Taub 2L is a part-time police officer and emergency medical technician.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Kayla Santosuosso 3L Evening
Kayla Santosuosso 3L Evening is working hard for her South Brooklyn neighbors as Deputy Chief of Staff to a New York City Council Member.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Kacia Wilson 1L
For the past four years, Kacia Wilson 1L has balanced full-time school with a part-time job in the Lenox Hill Hospital Emergency Room.
Claire R. Thomas ’11 Wins Fulbright Award to Research Solutions for Asylum Seekers in Mexico
She will research long-term solutions for asylum seekers in Mexico.
NYLS Rises to the Challenge: Jonathan (Jay) Manfre ’15
Jay Manfre ’15 and his company, REDCON1, are helping healthcare workers and emergency responders in South Florida.
Video: Three NYLS Students Share Their Experiences
In a new Q&A video, three current students—Shay Thomas 3L, M.J. Recanati 4L Evening, and Nick Nosce 2L—open up about their experiences at NYLS.
NYLS’s Academic Programs and State-of-the-Art Facilities Recognized
NYLS has earned top grades in two fast-growing areas of law—plus special recognition for its vibrant downtown campus.
Professor Kim Hawkins Appointed the Inaugural Stephen J. Ellmann Dean for Clinical and Experiential Learning
Professor Kim Hawkins has been appointed the inaugural Stephen J. Ellmann Dean for Clinical and Experiential Learning at NYLS, effective July 1, 2020.
Dean Crowell Shares Seasonal Reflections on the NYLS Community
Read Dean Crowell’s latest message to the NYLS community.
Stories of Teaching, Learning, and Advocacy in the Digital Environment
Amid the major changes caused by COVID-19, members of the NYLS community are finding innovative ways to do meaningful work.
Kayla Santosuosso 3L Evening a Finalist for “Law Students of the Year”
She’s a rising political star by day and a law student by night. And now, according to The National Jurist, Kayla Santosuosso 3L is one of the country’s most impressive law students.
Coronavirus: NYLS Preparedness and What You Should Do
NYLS’s management team is taking proactive steps to make sure the School is fully prepared for the possibility of local cases. All students, faculty, and staff are asked to be partners in preparedness.
NYLS Black Law Students Association Named Northeast “Chapter of the Year”
NYLS’s chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) has won the 2019–20 “Chapter of the Year” award for the Northeast Region of the National Black Law Students Association (NEBLSA).
New Mentoring Program Pairs Recent Alumni and Graduating Students
Gabrielle Esposito ’19 and Alexandra Simels ’19 have teamed up with Associate Dean Cynara McQuillan ’03 to launch a mentoring program that pairs last year’s graduates with members of the Class of 2020.
New Report Finds New York Has Severe Racial Disparities in Traffic Enforcement and Driver’s License Suspensions
A new report released today by the Racial Justice Project at New York Law School (NYLS) found that New Yorkers of color are disproportionately stopped, ticketed, arrested, charged, and convicted for traffic violations and driving on a suspended license.
Clinic Reflection: My Client’s Journey to a New Life in the United States
NYLS graduate Trisha Sobha ’19 reflects on the experience of representing a young Yemeni woman, “S.,” in the Asylum Clinic.
NYLS Featured as a Leader in Government Law, Public Policy, and More
The latest issue of preLaw magazine points to NYLS as a top law school for students pursuing government law and public policy.
PV Anantharam Joins New York Law School as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Plachikkat V. (PV) Anantharam has been appointed Senior Vice President and CFO of New York Law School (NYLS). In the role, Anantharam will oversee NYLS’s budget, finance, business operations, and human resources functions. He joined the School on February 3, 2020.
As Legalweek 2020 Begins, New York Law School Welcomes Industry Leaders to Campus, Engages Students in Legalweek Activities, and Announces Plans for Spring 2020
NYLS announced new programs and activities in coordination with the start of Legalweek 2020. In 2018, preLaw magazine ranked NYLS No. 8 of 30 “Top Schools for Legal Technology.”
In Memoriam: NYLS Graduate and Adjunct Professor Emeritus Frederic Berman ’51
Hon. Frederic S. Berman ’51, a distinguished NYLS graduate and an adjunct professor at the School for more than four decades, passed away on January 19, 2020.
Professor Rebecca Roiphe Wins Levy Award for Ethics From the New York State Bar Association
New York Law School (NYLS) Professor Rebecca Roiphe, an influential legal ethics scholar, will receive the Sanford D. Levy Award from the New York State Bar Association.
Professor Stephen J. Ellmann’s Biography of Judge Arthur Chaskalson Published
Shortly before his death in March 2019, Professor Stephen J. Ellmann finished his masterwork: a biography of the late Judge Arthur Chaskalson, the first President of South Africa’s Constitutional Court and Professor Ellmann’s longtime friend.
Constitutional Law Expert Edward Purcell Pens Trio of Op-Eds in The Hill
Professor Edward A. Purcell Jr. is the Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor at NYLS and one of the nation’s foremost authorities on the history of the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal judicial system. Purcell published a trio of op-eds in The Hill related to the ongoing impeachment proceedings and presidential executive power.
Through a New Fellowship, NYLS Expands Its Pro Se Legal Services Work
When considering ways to give back to NYLS, Herman Edelman ’56 had two goals: to help pro se litigants—those representing themselves in court—and to support practical training. Through a gift he made earlier this year, Edelman accomplished both.
Five Alumni Honored for Exceptional Performance as City Attorneys
New York, NY (December 13, 2019) – Five New York Law School (NYLS) alumni who serve at the New York City Law Department were honored at the Department’s 2019 Awards Ceremony on December 12 for their exceptional performance.
Moot Court Association Celebrates Fall Competition Successes
Through NYLS’s Moot Court Association (MCA), students sharpen their appellate oral advocacy and brief-writing skills while representing the School in competitions across the country. This fall, NYLS was a quarterfinalist in two major moot court competitions, with support through a new MCA Senior Fellow Program.
Dispute Resolution Team Sweeps Fall Competitions
NYLS’s Dispute Resolution Team is celebrating a string of victories this month.
Spotlight on NYLS and International Law
In New York City, there is heavy demand for lawyers who can operate on the global stage. Founded in 1996 with funding from the Starr Foundation, NYLS’s Center for International Law is a hub of activities for students pursuing international business, international law, and global human rights.
NYLS Welcomes Professor Laurence H. Tribe for Lecture on Constitutional Law
On November 1, NYLS hosted Laurence H. Tribe, the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard Law School, for the 2019 Sidney Shainwald Public Interest Lecture.
Professor Lenni B. Benson Appointed Distinguished Chair in Immigration and Human Rights Law
New York, NY (November 8, 2019) – Lenni B. Benson has been appointed the Distinguished Chair in Immigration and Human Rights Law at New York Law School (NYLS), Dean Anthony W. Crowell announced today. Professor Benson is an internationally recognized advocate who has taught at NYLS for 25 years and established NYLS’s Immigration Law and Litigation Clinic.
New York Law School Launches New York Census and Redistricting Institute Ahead of Critical 2020 Census and State and City Redistricting
New York, NY (November 7, 2019) – New York Law School (NYLS) today announced the launch of its New York Census and Redistricting Institute. The Institute will engage and educate public institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the public about law and policy relating to the national census in 2020 and subsequent city and state redistricting. It is the first institute of its kind for a New York City academic institution and will provide unique and timely research opportunities for NYLS students.
NYLS a “Top School” for Business Law, Criminal Law, and Tax Law
NYLS earned top grades in the fall 2019 issue of preLaw magazine—an A+ in business law, an A in criminal law, and an A- in tax law. The grades were based on law schools’ curricular offerings, including clinics, concentrations, and centers.
NYLS and Suffolk County D.A.’s Office Awarded $275K Grant to Investigate Wrongful Conviction Claims
(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and New York Law School (NYLS) today announced that the District Attorney’s Office’s Conviction Integrity Bureau has been awarded more than $849,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to aid in the investigation of wrongful conviction claims, including a $275,000 partnership grant awarded to the District Attorney’s Office and NYLS.
Seven Alumni Join the New York City Law Department
Seven members of NYLS’s Class of 2019 have joined the New York City Law Department as Assistant Corporation Counsels this fall.
NYLS and the Interfaith Center of New York Announce New Partnership and 2019–20 Training Programs
NYLS and ICNY Are Collaborating on Religious Diversity Education Programs That Will Benefit Students, Practicing Lawyers, and the City’s Diverse Religious Communities New York, NY (October 17, 2019) – New York Law School (NYLS) and the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) today announced…
New York Law Journal Readers Vote NYLS’s Graduate Tax Program No. 1 for 10th Year
For a decade, New York Law Journal readers have voted NYLS’s LL.M. in Taxation Program No. 1 in the category “Banking/Bankruptcy/Tax LL.M. Programs.”
In Honor of Wrongful Conviction Day, Learn About NYLS’s Post-Conviction Innocence Clinic
NYLS’s Post-Conviction Innocence Clinic seeks to right these wrongs while providing NYLS students with valuable investigative and criminal procedure skills training.
NYLS to Host Regional Convening of American Constitution Society
On October 4, NYLS will host the all-day 2019 Northeast Regional Convening of the American Constitution Society (ACS).
Professor Lisa Grumet’s Research on State Attorneys General and “Hidden Nondefense” Featured in New York Law Journal
A new piece of commentary by the Public Rights Project spotlights Professor Lisa Grumet’s research on state attorneys general and a practice she calls “hidden nondefense.”
Professor Lenni Benson Featured in Video Exhibit on Child Detainees at the Southern Border
Professor Lenni Benson, one of the country’s top experts on child immigration, is featured in a new video project with a powerful mission: advocating for children detained at the U.S.-Mexico Border.
In the News: Faculty Members Weigh in on Headline Stories
NYLS faculty members are frequently quoted in the media on high-profile topics.
Alumni Spotlight: Anand Sharma ’97
Sharma recently reflected on his new role, his career path, and NYLS.
NYLS Team Wins Asylum for Client Escaping Persecution in Ghana
NYLS’s Asylum Clinic has succeeded in securing asylum for M.A., a man who fled Ghana seeking safety in the United States.
Sharon Brown ’13 LL.M. Named an Influential Woman in Tax Law
Sharon Brown ’13 LL.M., a partner at Barclay Damon LLP, has been named to Law360’s 2019 “Influential Women in Tax Law” list.
NYLS Named a “Top Law School” in Family Law, Human Rights Law
NYLS earned A’s from preLaw magazine in both Family Law and Human Rights Law.
Five Things to Know About NYLS’s Approach to Professional Development
I want to take this opportunity to share why NYLS’s approach to professional development is unique and effective.
“If You’re Like Me, You Can’t Sit By”: The New York Times Spotlights Professor Benson and the Safe Passage Project
A recent New York Times column spotlights Professor Lenni Benson and the Safe Passage Project, the nonprofit she founded at NYLS.
Post-Graduate Spotlight: Danney Salvatierra ’19
Salvatierra recently reflected on her time at NYLS and her professional goals.
Five Ways the Cyberharassment Clinic Is Protecting New Yorkers
NYLS’s Cyberharassment Clinic, led by Adjunct Professor Andrew Santa Ana, is the only law school clinic exclusively dedicated to helping victims of online harassment obtain justice.
NYLS Hosts Major Career Fair for Northeast Black Law Students Association
On August 2, campus buzzed with law students from across the northeast and more than 60 high-profile employers.