Message From the Dean

WELCOME TO A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR

Dear CUNY Law community and supporters,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 academic year at CUNY School of Law! As the year begins, I am excited by the possibilities before us and grateful to everyone who has helped make this Orientation Week so special.

CUNY Law is a place where the law connects to real life. Our students bring extraordinary experiences and perspectives into our classrooms, learning not only from our renowned faculty but also from one another. We prepare students for impactful legal careers while cultivating a fierce commitment to public interest law and advancing justice.

As we look ahead, our focus is clear: supporting student success, strengthening our academic programs, investing in our community, and creating opportunities for our students to thrive. We will also continue to champion the outstanding work of our faculty and alumni.

This year will bring important opportunities to build on CUNY Law’s strong foundation. We look forward to continuing our work through the ABA and Middle States accreditation processes, and we are equally excited about the many capital improvement projects currently underway and on the horizon. These projects will enhance our campus and create an even better environment for learning, teaching, and working.

There will, of course, be challenges along the way, but there will also be discovery, accomplishment, and joy. Let’s commit to celebrating our successes, learning from our challenges, and giving each other grace.

Let us stay grounded in the values that have come to define CUNY Law: hard work, curiosity, integrity, professionalism, perseverance, community, and an unbending commitment to law in the service of human needs.

Thank you for all that you do to make CUNY Law a place of positive purpose and progress. I look forward to experiencing this academic year with you!

Best regards,

Natalie Gomez-Velez
Interim Dean and Professor of Law