Interim Dean Natalie Gomez-Velez brings a deep and enduring belief in the power of public institutions to expand opportunity and strengthen communities. That belief has guided her throughout a distinguished career in public service, legal scholarship, and now as Interim Dean of CUNY School of Law.
“Public schools, libraries, museums—these are things that enrich us all and help build a society that includes everyone,” Dean Gomez-Velez says. “I have a deep appreciation for the promise of public education, especially in this great city.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Dean Gomez-Velez is a proud New Yorker with deep roots in the city’s neighborhoods and public institutions. Her education and professional path reflect a strong commitment to access, equity, and excellence, core values at the heart of CUNY’s mission.
She was admitted to several of the nation’s top universities but chose to attend Hunter College, drawn by its academic rigor, public mission, and intellectual diversity. “Choosing Hunter wasn’t just about affordability,” Dean Gomez-Velez reflects. “It was about believing in the mission of public institutions and finding a place where I could truly grow.”
At Hunter, Dean Gomez-Velez pursued a wide-ranging liberal arts education, exploring fields from theater and literature to languages and public policy. That foundation helped shape her approach to legal thinking, broad, curious, and grounded in real-world context.
After earning her law degree from NYU School of Law, Dean Gomez-Velez built a career dedicated to public service and legal reform. She has held leadership roles with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, the New York State Unified Court System, and the Department of Youth Services. She also worked with the ACLU and the Brennan Center for Justice and practiced law privately, building experience across multiple sectors.
For more than a decade, Dean Gomez-Velez has been a valued member of the CUNY School of Law faculty, teaching Administrative Law and Constitutional Structures. She has also served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and has published widely on topics including public education, democratic governance, and inclusion. Her work consistently bridges theory and practice, always with a focus on how law can serve the public good.
“CUNY Law connects the law to real life,” Dean Gomez-Velez says. “Our students bring incredible experience into the classroom. They’re learning from faculty and from each other.”
Dean Gomez-Velez emphasizes CUNY Law’s commitment to preparing students for impactful legal careers. “At CUNY Law, we prepare students to pursue diverse legal careers, but all are deeply connected by a commitment to public interest law and advancing justice. Our graduates lead with skill, integrity, and purpose in ways that reflect this shared mission.”
In her interim role, Dean Gomez-Velez is focused on supporting student success, strengthening academic programs, investing in community, and amplifying the achievements of faculty, alumni, and students. “Our community is doing remarkable work in classrooms, clinics, scholarship, and advocacy. It’s important we share those stories.”
Under Dean Gomez-Velez’s leadership, CUNY School of Law is strengthening its legacy as a national leader in public legal education, preparing students to serve their communities, advance justice, and shape a more inclusive future.