From opening their own small practice to joining power firms to practicing pro bono, our alumni bring transformative social justice lawyering to private and corporate practice.

Public Interest work at Firms of All Sizes

Many CUNY Law grads work at small-sized law firms that address the legal needs of ordinary people.  One of the rewards—and challenges—of working at small-sized firms is the high level of responsibility that associates exercise. Associates are expected to learn the practice quickly and be comfortable being in an office where there is little or no distance between themselves and the partner(s).  CUNY graduates work at big firms such as Patterson Belknap or Paul Weiss as well as corporate legal offices such as American Express—where many do public interest work through their pro bono work. 

Headshot of Roxia Bedia ’20

“Working at a small to mid-size law firm gives me greater responsibility over cases, and that in turn permits me to develop my litigation skills more quickly than if I were working in a big firm.”

–Roxana Bedia ’20, Evening Program Grad, Associate at Lilling Mauro Naparty LLP

Scott Kennedy '20 smiles while wearing blue spectacles that match his blue suit and necktie in this portrait

“I view working at a large private firm as an opportunity to practice law at the highest levels, on behalf of some of the world’s most sophisticated and vulnerable clients, while being developed and nurtured by extraordinarily gifted, dedicated, and well-resourced legal and non-legal colleagues.”

–Scott Kennedy ’20, Associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind  Wharton & Garrison LLP