The Honorable Jonathan Lippman will address graduates during CUNY Law’s 31st commencement ceremony on Friday, May 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Kupferberg Center for Arts at Queens College.
Hon. Lippman also will receive an honorary degree from CUNY Law in recognition of his tireless work to increase access to justice and promote lawyering as a public service during his seven years presiding over the New York Court of Appeals.
“It is a real honor to have Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman as our commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient this year,” said CUNY Law Dean Michelle J. Anderson.
“In his tenure on the bench, he developed new opportunities for social justice work. He has been a national leader on pro bono services to support the indigent,” she added. “His passion and work to make the legal profession accountable to those most in need continues to inspire many in the field.”
Hon. Lippman at the opening of the law school’s location in Long Island City in 2012
Hon. Lippman’s passion for social justice aligns closely with CUNY Law’s mission. As described in an article in The New York Times, he “used his authority to promote an ideal of lawyering as a public service.” In 2009, under Hon. Lippman’s leadership, CUNY Law and the New York State Court system partnered to create the LaunchPad for Justice program, allowing dozens of CUNY Law graduates to provide legal counsel to unrepresented, low-income New Yorkers, while awaiting the results of the bar exam.
In 2015, one of Hon. Lippman’s initiatives to increase access to justice materialized with the Pro Bono Scholars program, making it possible for third-year law students to sit for the bar exam in February prior to graduation and to devote their last semester to pro bono service for the poor.
CUNY Law’s inaugural class of five Pro Bono Scholars helped clients find housing, fight evictions, and secure unpaid wages. Hon. Lippman also played a key role in bringing Poverty Justice Solutions to life. Three of CUNY Law’s 2015 Pro Bono Scholars and another CUNY Law alumna now serve as Poverty Justice Solutions fellows, focusing on eviction prevention and preserving affordable housing.
CUNY Law graduates going out into the world to make our motto of “law in the service of human needs” a reality will no doubt be inspired by Hon. Lippmann and his continued commitment to access to justice for everyone.
The graduating class has selected Prof. Shirley Lung to receive the Outstanding Professor Award and Marc Ramirez (’16) as the student speaker.