Message From the Dean

Dear CUNY Law community,

I am honored to step into the role of Interim Dean of CUNY School of Law, effective July 1, 2025.

I want to thank you for your commitment to and support of CUNY Law, whether through contributions, professional success, community representation, mentoring, or the myriad ways in which you give back and pay forward the law school’s promise to practice law in the service of human needs. CUNY Law’s community of alumni, partners, and supporters reifies, strengthens, and helps carry forth the law school’s mission.

CUNY Law’s dual mission to train outstanding public interest lawyers and to have the legal profession reflect the public it serves is vital. This mission, and support for our students’ professional success, will guide my term as Interim Dean.

As a law faculty member who has also served as Academic Dean, I know CUNY Law’s outstanding alumni legacy of legal, judicial, public, and community service, and the many contributions our alumni and partners have made to the law school and greater legal profession. I look forward to seeking your input and engagement and working with you to support the law school’s mission and goals during this period of transition.

We all know that CUNY Law’s power lies in its people. It is your knowledge, expertise and professionalism, your care for this institution, and your unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and community care that define who we are—and how we serve.

I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Dean Sudha Setty for her leadership and service over the last three years. I wish her well (and plan to remain in touch) as she takes on the important role of leading the Law School Admissions Council.

In the months ahead, I look forward to working in close collaboration with many of you—through dialogue, shared initiatives, and regular engagement. We have important work ahead, and I’m honored to be doing it in partnership with you.

With appreciation,

 

Natalie Gomez-Velez