Commencement 2021: Cesar Vargas ’11

Cesar Vargas ’11 receives the Distinguished Public Interest Leader Award

Dr. Yvette Wilson-Barnes introduces Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, this year’s commencement speaker and recipient of the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

We know that the work of the people and of organizers has helped us reach this moment of accountability. There is no accountability, nor is there justice, that can bring back a life – and we cannot stand for a state or policing that protects some peoples’ safety while endangering and causing death or trauma for others. We know there is still so much work we must do.

This year, CUNY Law’s Public Interest Law Association set a fundraising record despite the pandemic and moving their signature gala to a virtual party. Their $38,158 supported nine students’ summer public interest grants. Grantees share the impact of their awards.

Ramzi Kassem has been named one of 12 Freedom Scholars by the Marguerite Casey Foundation and Group Health Foundation.

Join us in welcoming our new faculty, staff, and clinics to CUNY Law.

Meet the new Launchpad for Justice Fellows and learn more about their advocacy

3L Jennifer Acevedo was awarded The 2020 Nixon Peabody Summer Civil Rights Fellowship

Assistant Professor Gregory Louis discusses joining CUNY Law’s faculty in unprecedented times.

We mark what would have been the 80th birthday of W. Haywood Burns, former Dean of CUNY Law and leader in the Black legal community.

The CUNY Black Law Student Association is in firm solidarity with our families, friends, and communities, demanding justice for the racist killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubery, George Floyd, Tony McDade, and every victim of anti-Black violence.