2023 NYU Law Magazine cover and open pages

NYU Law Magazine 2023

The Online Edition of the Law School's Annual Magazine (Volume XXXIII)

Features in this issue

Melissa Murray

Uncharted Territory

Amid the uncertainties of the post-Dobbs era, members of the NYU Law community are mobilizing to protect reproductive health care rights

Illustration of lawyers in front of the scales of justice and a collage of various clientele

Good Work

Ten Law School alumni who have made their careers in law firms and corporate law departments tell us why they always make time for pro bono.

Priti Krishtel

Alternative Medicine

For almost two decades, Priti Krishtel ’02 has been challenging the patent system to better meet patients' needs. 

Illustration of a figure viewing artwork in a gallery, while holding a tablet displaying the same artwork

Blurring Lines

Do intellectual property law protect creativity—or stifle it? NYU Law faculty members are delving into complex questions raised by new technology and art.

Evan Chesler

A Q&A with Evan Chesler

Evan Chesler ’75, incoming chair of the NYU Board of Trustees, talks about leadership, free speech on campus, and why lawyers are crucial for democracy.

People

The White House

Reporting from DC

Back in the classroom, David Kamin ’09 and Erin Murphy discuss their recent stints in the White House.

Deborah Archer

Clinical Developments

Now associate dean for experiential education and clinical programs, Deborah Archer oversees NYU Law’s renowned clinical offerings.

Yeabsira Asrat and Justin Lee

Giving Back

Justin Lee ’23 and Yeabsira Asrat ’24 talk about their opportunities to lead in NYU Law student organizations.

Washington Square Park

Good Business

Jacobson Leadership Program in Law and Business Scholars describe how the program has helped them shape their career goals.

Brant Hellwig

Tax Guidance

How the Visiting Assistant Professor of Tax Law program has launched multiple generations of tax law leaders.

Jerome Manning

Talking Tax

The first in-person Jerome Manning ’52 Tax Salon featured United States Tax Court Judge Juan Vasquez LLM ’78.

Kenji Yoshino

An Eye on Social

Kenji Yoshino joined the Oversight Board for Facebook and Instagram.

Vanderbilt Hall

Flashlights On

A new grant will support the Jailhouse Lawyer Initiative in developing a digital archive to build recognition for jailhouse lawyers.

Vanderbilt Hall

Coming on Board

Five new members join NYU Law's Board of Trustees.

Christine Gottlieb

Interstate Families

A multiyear effort by the Family Defense Clinic made it easier for out-of-state parents to gain custody of children placed in foster care in New York.

Cindy Chang

Exposing Injustice

Los Angeles Times Deputy Metro Editor Cindy Chang ’02 explains how a law degree has helped her journalism career.

Derwyn Bunton

Improving Public Defense

Career public defender Derwyn Bunton ’98 takes new role as chief legal officer of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Jennifer Wu

Community Contributor

Patent litigator Jennifer Wu ’04 discusses her new firm and her pro bono work for victims of anti-Asian violence.

Jay newman

Novel Pursuits

Former hedge fund manager Jay Newman LLM ’81 reinvents himself as a novelist.

Sateesh Nori

Tenant Advocate

Sateesh Nori ’01 explains what he learned advocating for NYC tenants.

Seth Zachary

Growing a Firm

Paul Hastings chair emeritus Seth Zachary LLM ’80 reflects on lessons learned during 21 years as head of his firm.

Marissa Alter-Nelson

High-Stakes Litigator

Marissa Alter-Nelson ’07 describes her path to her new role as litigation partner at Latham & Watkins.

Adrienne Austin

Strong Advocate

Adrienne Austin ’05 discusses her path to becoming the director of diversity and inclusion at Jersey City Medical Center.

Peter Furci

Problem Solver

Tax expert Peter Furci ’95, LLM ’99 takes the helm at Debevoise & Plimpton.

Emily Loeb

Skill Builder

Emily Loeb ’09 draws on her DOJ experience to lead Jenner & Block’s congressional investigations practice.

Michael Fitzpatrick

Cyber Chief

Michael Fitzpatrick MS CRS ’19, NYC’s chief privacy officer, explains how NYU Law prepared him to tackle pressing issues in cybersecurity.

Florence Davis

In Memoriam: Florence Davis ’79

Davis was vice chair of NYU Law’s Board of Trustees and director and president of The Starr Foundation. 

Paul Berger

In Memoriam: Paul Berger ’57

A retired tax partner at Arnold & Porter, Berger was a Law School life trustee and a recipient of the Judge Edward Weinfeld Award.

John Peschel

In Memoriam: John Peschel

Peschel, a tax expert and professor of law emeritus, played a key role in the Law School's governance.

flowers

In Memoriam

Remembering NYU Law community members who passed away during the last academic year. 

Ideas

Illustration of many kinds of people on blue background

Write Makes Right

Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow’s Say the Right Thing is a no-nonsense guide to having constructive diversity and inclusion conversations.

Interior of disused prison with sunlight striking empty cellblock

Emptying the Prisons

Rachel Barkow weighs whether arguments for prison abolition will bring needed change to the system—or backfire.

Minding the Law artwork

Minding the Law

Jennifer Arlen ’86 and Lewis Kornhauser argue for using psychological insights to deter corporate crime.

Ryan Bubb Emiliano Catan Surprise Parties Ideas Artwork

Surprise Parties

A huge dataset gives Ryan Bubb and Emiliano Catan LLM ’10 new insight into how mutual funds vote their shares.

Noah Rosenbaum Ideas Story Art

Checks and Balances

Noah Rosenblum considers forgotten efforts to check US presidential power.

Gráinne de Búrca Ideas Story Artwork

Out of Line

An article by Gráinne de Búrca argues that the EU should confront illiberal governments in Hungary and Poland.

Daniel Harawa

Appellate Advocacy

Daniel Harawa, a former public defender and civil rights litigator, focuses his research on how to remedy racial bias in the justice system.

Alexis Karteron

Connecting with Civil Rights

Alexis Karteron, who honed her advocacy skills at two of the nation’s top legal nonprofits, works for greater justice in the criminal legal system.

Celebrations

2023 Scholarship Reception

Uniting Students and Donors

At the annual Scholarship Reception, NYU Law student scholars met with the donors who support their studies. 

LACA Dinner 2023

LACA Dinner Salutes Alumni Achievement

Hundreds of alumni, faculty, students, prospective students, and others gathered to mark the 45th anniversary of the Law Alumni of Color Association.

Alumni at Reunion 2023

Reconnections at Reunion

A rich array of social and academic events allowed alumni to spend time with old friends and renew ties to the Law School.

Troy McKenzie, Evan Chesler, and Damaris Hernandez

Paying It Forward

This year’s Weinfeld Gala honored Evan Chesler ’75 for his exceptional dedication and service to NYU Law.

Julie Fink

Litigator and Firm Founder

Julie Fink ’05, OUTLaw’s Alumna of the Year, shared how NYU Law equipped her to take risks. 

Stephanie Toti

A Leader in Reproductive Rights

Stephanie Toti ’03 was honored as Law Women’s Alumna of the Year.

Crystal Crawford

Working for Well-Being

Crystal Crawford ’91, named 2023 Womxn of Distinction by the Women of Color Collective, discussed how authenticity is crucial for wellbeing.

Graduates at Convocation 2023

Sending Off the Class of 2023

Family and friends waved pom-poms and snapped photos as more than 900 JD, LLM, JSD, and MS graduates received their degrees at Convocation. 

LOURDES AGUILAR, KPMG SCHOLAR Andrés José Sanchez was hooded by Larry Pollack LLM ’88

Scholars & Donors

Amid Convocation festivities, students celebrated with the donors who helped make their education possible.

Stefan Raičević LLM ’23, Arthur T. Vanderbilt Scholar and Michael A. Schwind Scholar in Global Law, with his wife Milica Škaro LLM ’22

Family Tradition

New graduates celebrated with family members who are also NYU Law alumni.