CUNY School of Law’s 41st Commencement exercises took place Thursday, May 21, at the United Palace Theater, where 188 graduates crossed the stage of the landmark venue. The ceremony opened with multilingual greetings reflecting the breadth of languages and lived experiences represented in the Class of 2026.
This year’s honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker was Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Fund. A nationally recognized civil rights attorney and policy advocate, Wiley addressed graduates as they prepared to enter the legal profession at a moment of significant political and social change.
In her remarks, Interim Dean Natalie Gomez-Velez reflected on the extraordinary moment in which the graduating class pursued their legal education.
“While learning the law, you have had to wrestle with seismic changes in constitutional law, administrative law, immigration, civil rights, voting rights, and even challenges to bedrock notions of due process, equal protection, and the rule of law itself,” Gomez-Velez said. “And yet, you navigated these changes and maintained your focus.”
She emphasized the Law School’s mission of preparing graduates to use law in the service of human needs and praised the Class of 2026 for their determination, skill, and commitment to justice-centered advocacy.
Greetings were also delivered on behalf of the City University of New York by CUNY Trustee Henry T. Berger, who congratulated graduates and reflected on the importance of public service. Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright ’92, Chair of the CUNY School of Law Board of Visitors, was unable to attend but Interim Dean Gomez-Velez delivered remarks on her behalf, including congratulations to the graduating class and recognition of the Law School’s enduring commitment to public interest law and community advocacy.
The ceremony also included a moment of silence honoring Kay Escobar, a member of the Class of 2026 remembered by the Law School community for their dedication to social justice, intellectual rigor, and deep care for classmates and community members.
The Honorable Edwina Richardson ’88 led graduates in the recitation of the Lawyer’s Pledge, formally welcoming the Class of 2026 into the legal profession.
Throughout the ceremony, graduates crossed the stage to cheers from classmates, faculty, family members, and loved ones gathered to celebrate the newest generation of CUNY Law alumni. The ceremony closed with applause, embraces, and celebration as graduates marked the culmination of years of study, sacrifice, and commitment to the pursuit of justice.