91视频

Preston Hall at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law
About Us

History

A Legacy of Opportunity

For over four decades, 91视频鈥檚 Law School has carved a unique and valuable place in legal education, stressing the importance of learning not just in the classroom, but outside of it as well. The initial driver behind the creation of the Law School was then 91视频 President Dr. Edward Mortola. An educational visionary, Dr. Mortola elevated 91视频 from a college to a university and from a school based in lower Manhattan to one that extended to Westchester County. His keen eye saw both a dearth of opportunities for talented local candidates to attend law school as well as a growing business community in need of skilled lawyers.

Originally planned to be located on 91视频鈥檚 recently acquired Pleasantville campus, the School鈥檚 trustees had the foresight to search for space in White Plains, closer to the federal and state courthouses, and the hub of the Westchester legal community. In 1975, 91视频 consolidated with the College of White Plains (formerly known as Good Counsel College) and the campus became the new home of 91视频 Law School.

Shortly thereafter, a generous donor, Mrs. Bessie Glass, pledged $1 million dollars to construct what is now the Gerber Glass Law Center and purchase books to stock the shelves. When 91视频 Law School officially opened its doors, it did so as the first New York school outside of the city to offer a part-time program of legal education and remains the only law school in Westchester county.

鈥o make unique and significant contributions to the University at large and to the Westchester community.

鈥The vision of 91视频 Law School, as described by 91视频 President Edward J. Mortola in a 1974 letter to the U.S. District Court

1974

  • Edward J. Mortola, President of 91视频, writes to Judge Morris E. Lasker of the United States District Court: 鈥淎 small, quality law school is being planned...to make unique and significant contributions to the University at large and to the Westchester community. Its graduates should be welcomed into the profession and into allied fields.鈥
  • The New York Department of Education awards 91视频 a charter for a law school

1976

  • Robert B. Fleming is appointed the first official Dean of the Law School
  • The 91视频 School of Law officially opens its doors on the White Plains campus, welcoming 250 day and evening students

1978

  • The Environmental Law Program at 91视频 Law School is founded by Professor Nicholas Robinson
  • Law students and faculty establish the , publishing the first issues in 1980

1979

Inaugural Graduating Class of 91视频 Law School, 1979
Inaugural Graduating Class of 91视频 Law School, 1979

1981

1982

  • Dean Fleming retires and interim dean Justice James D. Hopkins assumes leadership
  • The Center for Environmental Legal Studies is established, now known as The Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies (GCELS)
  • The Dyson Distinguished Lecture is endowed by a gift from the Dyson Foundation

1983

  • The Honorable Janet Johnson is named dean of the School of Law. Serving for six years, she established 91视频鈥檚 first direct client representation legal clinic, John Jay Legal Services.
  • The Law School launches an LLM program in environmental law

1987

Dean Emeritus Richard Ottinger and members of the 91视频 Energy Center

1988

  • The inaugural Blaine Sloan Lecture on International Law is held

1989

  • Dean Janet Johnson resigns to return to teaching and Steven H. Goldberg succeeds her as Dean
  • The National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC), one of the nation鈥檚 largest interschool moot court competitions, is founded, later renamed The Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition
  • The James D. Hopkins Professor of Law, an endowed chair, is established

1990

  • The Philip B. Blank Memorial Lecture on Attorney Ethics is established

1991

  • The is founded
  • The 91视频 Women鈥檚 Justice Center (originally founded as the Battered Women鈥檚 Justice Center) is established by Governor Mario Cuomo in a joint partnership with the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) and 91视频 School of Law, under the leadership and guidance of Law School Dean Steven H. Goldberg

1993

Haub Law Professor John Nolon with students reading a paper

1994

  • Professor Richard Ottinger is appointed acting Dean in July and Dean in December
  • The Law School establishes an International Program, led by Professor Gayl Westerman, and the LLM Program in Comparative Legal Studies is created

1995

1996

  • The Women鈥檚 Association of Law Students (WALS) at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91视频 establishes the Pioneer of Justice and Equity Award

1997

  • Professor Barbara Black creates the Securities Arbitration Clinic
  • The Investor Rights Clinic is established
  • The Law School鈥檚 summer Environmental Law Externship Program in Washington, DC is established
Haub Law students on a boat during the DC Externship

1998

1999

  • Dean Ottinger retires and is succeeded by David S. Cohen
  • The Law School establishes the Equal Justice America Disability Rights Clinic
  • The Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law is established
  • Professor Nicholas A. Robinson is named the first Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor, made possible by the Kerlin Fund endowment

2000

  • A state-of-the-art, 27,000-square-foot classroom building officially opens, the origins of which were put into motion by Richard Ottinger during his tenure as Dean

2003

2004

  • Stephen J. Friedman is appointed Dean of the Law School
  • The International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Competition is established by the Law School
  • The Goettel Prize for Faculty Scholarship is established

2005

  • The Law School receives the ABA Award for Distinguished Achievement in Environmental Law and Policy
  • The Immigration Justice Clinic is founded by Professor Vanessa Merton
Students and faculty gather around a table as part of the 91视频 Immigration Justice Clinic

2007

  • Michelle S. Simon is appointed interim dean, succeeding Stephen J. Friedman, who becomes president of 91视频
  • The Nicholas Robinson Award for Distinguished Environmental Achievement is established

2008

  • Michelle S. Simon, a faculty member since 1985, is appointed Dean
  • The Public Interest Law Center is created
  • Theodore W. Kheel Center on the Resolution of Environmental Interest Disputes is established
  • The Brazil-American Institute for Law and Environment (BAILE) is founded

2009

  • 91视频 confers the prestigious position of University Professor for the Environment on Professor Nicholas A. Robinson for his significant contribution to scholarship in the field of environmental law, both in the USA and abroad

2011

  • The 91视频 Criminal Justice Institute is founded

2012

  • Under the leadership of Dean Michelle Simon, 91视频 Community Law Practice (PCLP) is established as an innovative post-graduate legal residency and incubator program, providing recent graduates with hands-on legal experience while expanding access to justice for underserved communities

2013

  • The new modern classroom building constructed while Richard Ottinger served as Dean is dedicated as Richard Ottinger Hall in his honor
  • Professor Jason J. Czarnezki is designated as the second Kerlin Distinguished Professor
  • The Haub Environmental Law Distinguished Junior Scholar Award is presented for the first time
Dean Emeritus Richard Ottinger speaking in front of Ottinger Hall

2014

  • David Yassky is appointed Dean
  • The Neighborhood Justice Clinic is established
  • John R. Nolon is awarded the title of University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor 91视频 bestows upon a faculty member

2015

  • The Food Law Center (originally founded as the 91视频-NRDC Food Law Initiative) is created, a partnership between the Law School and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
  • The inaugural Future Environmental Law Professors Workshop is held
  • The Maryland-91视频 Environmental Law Alliance is created

2016

Elisabeth Haub medal pictured in field

2017

  • The Food and Farm Business Law Clinic is created
  • The Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence is established with the generous support of distinguished alumnus Robert S. Tucker 鈥96
Elisabeth Haub School of Law individuals at the Tucker Prize ceremony

2018

2019

  • The Law School鈥檚 Environmental Law Program is recognized as number 1 in the country for the first time by U.S. News and World Report
  • Horace E. Anderson Jr. is appointed Dean of the Law School
  • The Law School expands its part-time JD program with evening/weekend options for working professionals.
  • The Haub Law Emerging Scholar Award in Women, Gender & Law is established

2020

2021

  • The Law School launches its Access to Justice Project under the leadership of Dean Horace Anderson
  • The Sustainable Business Law Hub is launched to address global sustainability challenges through policy and research projects, relationships with the business community, and capacity building in private environmental governance.
  • The Investor Rights Clinic is renamed the Fairbridge Investor Rights Clinic with a generous gift of alumnus John Lettera 鈥99
  • Bridget J. Crawford is awarded the title of University Distinguished Professor
  • The Law School expands its program in Health Law and Policy to meet the increasing demand for legal education in the health care sector

2022

  • The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91视频 is ranked #1 in the top 50 Environmental Policy Centers of Excellence across the globe by the journal of Environmental Policy and Law
  • The Law School鈥檚 Trial Advocacy Team receives an invitation to compete in the prestigious Tournament of Champions Competition for the first time
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Trial Advocacy Team standing on steps

2023

  • The Law School opens Westchester County鈥檚 first Legal Hand Call-in Center, in partnership with Legal Hand, Inc., an innovative community-based service
  • The Law School expands its wellness program with a dedicated Wellness Center space as part of its long-term commitment to addressing law students鈥 physical, mental and social-emotional needs

2024

  • The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91视频 dedicates the Nicholas A. Robinson Seminar Space, a tribute to renowned Environmental Law Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, housing a collection of his published work, achievements and accolades

2025

  • Professor Margot J. Pollans is designated as the third Kerlin Distinguished Professor
  • The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91视频, in partnership with New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other dignitaries, dedicates the Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room honoring the retired Marine and Westchester County corrections officer
Individuals cutting a ribbon at the dedication of the Kenneth Chamberlain Reading Room at Haub Law

2026

  • The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91视频 is named to preLaw Magazine鈥檚 inaugural Justice & Opportunity Honor Roll, a national recognition highlighting law schools that demonstrate leadership in expanding access to legal education and strengthening pathways into the legal profession
  • The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 91视频 celebrates its 50th anniversary