CUNY Law Leads Nation in Training Diverse Cohorts of Lawyers
For the third consecutive year, CUNY School of Law ranks as the nation’s most diverse law school in preLaw Magazine’s annual survey, reflecting our foundational mission to expand access to justice through legal education.
At CUNY Law, diversity isn’t just about demographics—it’s about transforming how justice works in our communities. Though preLaw’s methodologies examine student and faculty diversity metrics, as well as support services and programs, the value of lived experiences and varying perspectives can’t be overstated.
In the feature article, Dean Sudha Setty emphasizes how this diversity shapes both legal education and justice: “A diverse legal profession ensures that the interpretation, application, and evolution of the law are informed by a full understanding of societal needs and realities. When individuals see themselves represented in the legal profession–from law school classrooms to courtrooms to legislative chambers—it fosters a sense of inclusivity and legitimacy in the legal system.”
At CUNY Law, diversity reflects the true composition of our communities and transforms how justice works. Nearly two-thirds of our incoming class bring together students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx (26.5%), Black/African American (22.8%), Asian (12.6%), and Indigenous (5.1%). Many students hold multiple identities, enriching our community’s intersectional perspective. Together with 42% first-generation college students and 42% LGBTQ+ students, they share a commitment to careers in public interest law and social justice.
This recognition from preLaw Magazine affirms CUNY Law’s distinctive approach to legal education, where students bring their lived experiences into the classroom and their commitment to justice into their communities. Pipeline to Justice, our signature access initiative, exemplifies this approach, which Dean Setty describes as “going beyond traditional LSAT preparation, focusing on holistic skill development and community building. It’s just one example of how we’re actively working to transform the legal profession.”
The impact of this approach is clear: “Many communities in the U.S. suffer from significant unmet legal needs,” Dean Setty observes. “Drawing students from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds is one way to address those unmet needs.”
As the nation’s first and only law school founded with a public interest mission, CUNY Law continues to demonstrate how diversity and excellence in legal education go hand in hand – creating lawyers who understand, represent, and build power within the communities they serve.