Center for New York City and State Law
Photo: New York City Hall
A one-of-its-kind civic engagement hub, the Center for New York City and State Law provides exploration, explanation, and analysis of New York City and State government, policy, and law.
The Center makes New York City and State government more transparent, understandable, and effective through a variety of programs and publications. It pursues its mission through news and explainer articles; research and analysis; a wide variety of public events featuring expert guests; in-depth podcast conversations; and other methods.
The Center for New York City Law was launched in 1994 by NYLS Professor Ross Sandler, the Center's Founding Director and inaugural NYLS Samuel Seabury Professor of Law. In 2024, NYLS launched the Center for New York City and State Law to reflect its expanded programming and increase focus on City and State issues and the relationship between the two levels of government.
For Students
All students interested in pursuing civic leadership are welcome to join the Center as affiliates. Gain practical experience and build your network for a career in government.
Events and Support
The Center hosts the CityLaw Breakfast series, which features prominent speakers discussing current government and political issues.
Watch videos of past breakfasts.
The Center also sponsors continuing legal education seminars, lectures, training, policy and budget briefings, conferences on major policy and legal issues, and author events.
The Center's Honor Roll page lists the generous financial supporters who make the Center's work possible. To support the Center’s important work, please make an online gift.
Publications
The Center produces the following publications:
Institutes and Projects
Center Leadership and Team
Anthony Crowell
Dean and President, New York Law School
Professor of Law
Faculty Director, Center for New York City and State Law
Ross Sandler
Founding Director, Center for New York City and State Law
Samuel Seabury Professor of Law
Ben Max (Read Announcement)
Executive Editor and Program Director, Center for New York City and State Law
Host, Max Politics podcast
Stephen Louis (Read Announcement)
Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Fellow in State and Local Government Law
Counsel to the Center for New York City and State Law
Jeffrey M. Wice
Adjunct Professor and Senior Fellow
Director, New York Elections, Census, and Redistricting Institute
Kirk D. Burkhalter ’04
Professor of Law
Director, 21st Century Policing Project
Veronica Rose ’18
Editor, CityLand
Rose White
Center Coordinator
Center Senior Fellows
Judge Anthony Cannataro ’96 of the New York Court of Appeals. The Judge is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor and teaches New York State constitutional law at NYLS
Assembly Member Robert Carroll ’13 of the New York State Assembly, 44th District, in Brooklyn. The Assembly Member is an Adjunct Professor teaching Drafting: Legislation at NYLS
James Caras, former General Counsel of the New York City Council and an Adjunct Professor who teaches Drafting: Legislation at NYLS
Pei Pei Cheng de Castro ’00, former Deputy Counsel to New York Governor Kathy Hochul ‘23 (Hon.) and a Partner at Barclay Damon LLP
Mark Chiusano, journalist and author of the books The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos, and Marine Park
Amy Loprest, former Executive Director of the New York City Campaign Finance Board
Grace Rauh, Executive Director of the 5 Boro Institute, a think tank co-located at NYLS and former NY1 News political reporter, guest host of “Inside City Hall,” and host of the “Off Topic/On Politics” podcast
Arvind Sohoni, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at the New York City Housing Authority
John Sweeney ’88, former Workers’ Compensation Division Chief at the New York City Law Department, and Of Counsel at Bond, Schoeneck & King
Justice Carolyn Walker-Diallo ’03 of the New York State Supreme Court, Kings County and the Administrative Judge of the New York City Civil Court. She is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor who teaches Drafting: Litigation at NYLS
Center for New York City and State Law • T 212.431.2115 • E nycitylaw@nyls.edu