Future Lawyers Fill Auditorium with Dreams, Determination, and a Whole Lot of Cheering
The enthusiasm was infectious. Admittedly, it took a beat for all attendees to get to their feet, but when Gayla Jacobson, Director of Admissions, invited them to affirm first their neighbors’ and then their own future as lawyers, the auditorium erupted in hoots and hollers.
“All together now,” encouraged Jacobson, “WE ARE GOING TO BE LAWYERS!”
Dean Sudha Setty’s welcome address, Jacobson’s opening, and a send-off from Dr. Joanne Hyppolite, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, set the tone for the Law School’s first-ever CUNY-wide pre-law conference, launching students and pre-law advisors into a day packed with possibilities.
“This pre-law conference, fittingly titled From Aspirations to Advocacy, represents everything CUNY Law stands for,” said Dr. Hyppolite. “By demystifying the law school application process, we remain steadfast in our mission of ensuring access and representation within the legal profession.”
The day-long conference wove together practical guidance with vital conversations about representation in law. During the “Alternative Pathways” panel, current CUNY Law students shared their experiences, offering candid insights about navigating law school as individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Nine public and private law schools sent representatives, including Howard University, Cardozo School of Law, and New York Law School. This collaboration underscores CUNY Law’s commitment to supporting CUNY students on their journey to law school, regardless of their final destination.
“Success for us isn’t just about recruitment to CUNY Law,” explained Gayla Jacobson, Director of Admissions. “It’s about expanding the very idea of who gets to be a lawyer. Every CUNY student who finds their path to legal education, at any institution, represents progress toward a more representative justice system.”
The programming brought this vision to life. Students dove into LSAT preparation workshops and financial planning sessions, while getting an insider’s view of the admissions process. Pre-law advisors from CUNY’s undergraduate institutions participated in a dedicated track, ensuring the conference’s impact will ripple throughout the University system.
As the day wound down, current students and alumni led tours that showcased the vibrant community built on a shared passion for public interest law. In the first-floor Beacon, participants exchanged contact information and made plans to stay connected—with each other and with law school staff—throughout their journeys ahead.
“What we’ve witnessed today is the beginning of many journeys,” Jacobson reflected. “These students bring vital perspectives and experiences that will enrich the legal profession. Our role is to ensure they have the tools, support, and confidence to pursue their dreams of becoming lawyers.”
This inaugural conference stands as both milestone and blueprint for CUNY Law. By bringing together current students, admissions professionals, pre-law advisors, and aspiring lawyers from across the CUNY system and beyond, the school demonstrates how legal institutions can actively build a more inclusive profession.