Alumni Class Notes
Catch up on the latest from CUNY Law alumni—career moves, personal milestones, and the many ways they’re advancing justice.
Oscar Odom III ’96 joined the University of Virginia (UVA) Public Safety Program. Odom, who has served on the UVA team as a part-time Senior Lecturer since 2022, assumed a full-time appointment as Associate Professor of Public Safety in August. Dr. Odom had been the Vice President of Security at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.
Elizabeth Newton ’98 has been elected as a Civil Court Judge in Queens. Newton began her legal career by prosecuting child abuse and neglect cases in Family Court as an attorney with the Administration for Children Services. She went on to work as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society’s civil practice, then as the supervising attorney for the public defense firm’s criminal defense practice.
Christopher Robles ’98 advances to Justice of the Supreme Court in the 2nd Judicial District, building on his experience in the Criminal Court of New York City. His nearly two-decade career spans family law, civil practice, and appellate work, beginning with his 2017 appointment as an Interim Civil Court Judge. He is currently acting Justice of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term.
Hon. Angel Cruz ’99, newly elected to the Bronx Civil Court, brings extensive legal experience to the bench. His compelling journey to judgeship, previously featured in New York media, highlights the transformative power of legal education and public service. Cruz joins his wife, Hon. Lumarie Maldonado-Cruz ’02, in judicial service.
Hon. Deidra R. Moore ’99 joined the Bronx Civil Court after establishing deep roots in her community through her private practice. Known for her commitment to justice and equity, Moore expressed enthusiasm about continuing to serve her community from the bench, emphasizing the importance of compassionate and integrity-driven judicial leadership.
Hon. Eliezer Rodriguez ’99 takes his place on the Bronx Civil Court, joining his wife, Hon. Fiordaliza Rodriguez ’99, who serves as a Bronx Family Court Judge. Their shared commitment to public service exemplifies CUNY Law’s impact on New York City’s judiciary.
Katherine Gallagher ’00 and Muhammad Faridi ’07 both contributed extensively to a landmark victory: Abu Ghraib Verdict: Iraqi Torture Survivors Win Landmark Case as Jury Holds Private Contractor CACI Liable.
Hon. Sandra M. Munoz ’01, elevated to Justice of the Supreme Court in the 11th Judicial District, embodies CUNY Law’s mission of expanding access to justice. The daughter of Dominican Republic immigrants, she pursued her legal education as a single mother in her forties, beginning her career as a community-based family law attorney.
Hon. Lumarie Maldonado-Cruz ’02 advances from New York City Civil Court to Justice of the Supreme Court in the 11th Judicial District. A graduate of John Jay College and CUNY Law, she has served on the Appellate Division, First Department’s Character and Fitness Committee (2009-2019) and presided over Criminal Term, New York County cases since 2020.
Natasha Johnson ’04 is featured in the Amsterdam News for her work to end gender-based violence.
Jaimee Nelsen ’05 has been elevated to a New York County Family Court Judge after working for years as a Court Attorney and Family Referee.
Jennifer Truman ’05, Senior Staff Attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, received distinguished recognition for her outstanding work and pro bono service in the Office for Justice Initiatives’ Access to Justice Program. This honor was bestowed by the NYS Unified Court System, Office for Justice Initiatives, New York County Lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association, and fellow alumna Hon. Edwina G. Richardson ’88. Jennifer has dedicated countless hours at the Family Court Help Center, embodying CUNY Law’s commitment to law in the service of human needs.
Jennifer Frankola Crawford ’07 received the Outstanding Community Service Award at the inaugural IrishCentral Legal Elite Awards night held at the American Irish Historical Society in Manhattan. Frankola accepted this award in her role as immediate past president of the Brehon Law Society of NY and on behalf of its leadership and members.
Prof. Moira Meltzer-Cohen ’12 has been one of the lead attorneys for Native American activist Leonard Peltier and represented him at his parole hearing last summer. Peltier’s sentence was recently commuted by President Biden.
Dalourny Nemorin ’14, a Staff Attorney at Legal Aid in the Bronx, has been selected to join the latest cohort of the Obama Foundation’s Leaders Program. Chosen from a highly competitive pool of over 6,000 applicants, these Leaders will join regional cohorts that reflect the global impact of the Foundation’s leadership network. From democracy and civic engagement to addressing the climate crisis and advancing education, these Leaders are ready to work together and in their communities to solve the greatest challenges of our time.
Jacqueline A. Meese-Martinez ’16 has been elected to the Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Partnership. Meese-Martinez works in the firm’s Litigation Practice Area, representing corporate clients in a wide range of industries, including technology and software, construction, manufacturing and distribution, consumer goods, and healthcare. She has been named one of Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars for the past two years.
Corinthia Carter ’17 was honored by City & State Magazine as part of its annual “Labor Power 100” list of New York’s most influential union leaders. City & State wrote: “Corinthia Carter leads Legal Services Staff Association Local 2320, representing secretaries, social workers, attorneys, and other staffers at Legal Services NYC and Mobilization for Justice.”
Amanda Dunne ’21, Staff Attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, has been nominated as Co-Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s Social Events and Networking Committee.
Cobia Powell ’21, together with attorney Fredrick Brewington, tried and won a jury verdict of $2,360,000 for Robert Besedin, a 78-year-old Veteran in an Excessive Force, Malicious Prosecution, Abuse of Process case in the Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn Courthouse) against Nassau County and two police officers.