The City University of New York School of Law celebrated the Class of 2026 with a week of gatherings honoring graduates, their families, and the community that supported them throughout law school. The celebrations culminated in the Law School’s 41st Commencement Ceremony, held at the United Palace Theater, where 188 graduates crossed the stage.
The celebrations began with the Law School’s annual graduation portrait reception, where graduates gathered with classmates for formal portraits captured by Law School photographer Milik Robinson. Students shared what they intended to do with their CUNY Law degrees and posed both in professional attire and in commencement regalia adorned with cords and stoles recognizing leadership, advocacy, scholarship, and participation in student organizations across the Law School community.
Rasheeda I. Allison
Class of 2026
Nicoletta Daskaloudi
Class of 2026
Jonathan Guadian
Class of 2026
Dechen Sangpo
Class of 2026
Breana J. Sena
Class of 2026
View the full Grad Portrait gallery.
On May 19, the Law School celebrated graduates from Pipeline to Justice, CUNY Law’s signature access program designed to support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who are committed to public interest law. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families gathered for dinner and reflection on the tremendous dedication that brought the graduating cohort to this milestone.
In addition to remarks from Interim Dean Natalie Gomez-Velez, Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Joanne Hyppolite, and Professor Carolyn Nelson, Pipeline student speaker Tamira Brunson addressed her fellow graduates and guests. She reflected on her journey through law school and the community that supported her along the way. At the conclusion of the event, members of the graduating class received their gold stoles, worn during commencement as a proud symbol of their membership in the Pipeline to Justice Program
See the full Pipeline to Justice Graduation celebration gallery.
Student Awards Night followed on Wednesday evening, bringing together graduates, their loved ones, and the Law School community for an evening of recognition and celebration that featured student-selected awards.
Student-selected speakers Catherine Murcek and Tyrena Barrow, representing the evening and day programs, respectively, delivered remarks reflecting on the challenges and transformations of law school, the relationships they built at CUNY Law, and the shared sense of purpose that carried the Class of 2026 through their legal education.
Among the evening’s honorees was Professor Sofia Yakren, who received the Outstanding Professor Award in recognition of her commitment to students and the values of the Law School. Denise Rojas, a staff member in the Law School’s clinical program who enrolled as a student in the evening program for part-time study, received the Community Service Award for her dedication to supporting students and strengthening the Law School community.
Their speeches drew laughter, applause, and moments of visible emotion from all gathered. The evening concluded with music from CUNY Law band The Exceptions, photographs, and embraces as graduates lingered together in one of the Law School’s final collective moments before commencement.
See the full Student Awards Night gallery.
Commencement exercises took place Thursday, May 21, at the United Palace Theater, marking the Law School’s first year celebrating graduation at 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.
View the full Commencement gallery.