Law and Society Commons^™

Delivering Fairer Tipping Practices, Nyc Department Of Consumer And Worker Protection, Alexandra Burke

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights and Social Justice (ERSJ) Blog

On January 30, 2026, Mayor Mamdani and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP”) Commissioner Samuel Levine announced that food delivery app companies Uber Eats, Fantuan, and Hungry Panda owed more than $5 million in worker restitution, civil penalties, and damages to resolve violations of the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Like New York City, other municipalities across the United States should enact statutory protections for delivery workers, investigate compliance, and enforce penalties to ensure workers' rights and justice.

Ix International Moot Court Competition In Law & Religion, Dmytro Vovk, Imcc In Law & Religion

2025–2026 Flyers

After many successful editions, the International Moot Court Competition in Law and Religion (9th ed.) is happening in 2026 in the glittering city of marbles: Rome, Italy!

The Program will run from March 12 to March 14, 2026 at the St. John’s University Rome campus.

Teams from different countries will argue a case before the European Court of Human Rights and the Supreme Court of the United States. Pre-eminent scholars and actual judges from the two jurisdictions will sit as judges of the two Courts.

In the past editions, Teams from the United States, Hungary, Russia, Spain, the UK, Belgium, …

Austrian Again Book Talk, Cardozo Law Institute In Holocaust And Human Rights (Clihhr), Anne Hand, Evelyn Konrad

2025–2026 Flyers

The Cardozo Law Institute in Holocaust and Human Rights hosted a special book talk featuring author Anne Hand, discussing her memoir Austrian Again. In her book, Hand explores her journey to uncover her family’s hidden history during the Holocaust while pursuing Austrian citizenship, tracing her Austrian and Czechoslovakian roots through personal stories and historical records.

The program also featured Evelyn Konrad, Cardozo alumna and Holocaust survivor, who joined the conversation and shared her personal reflections. Moderated by Konrad, the event examined themes of identity, migration, heritage, and historical memory.

Supreme Court Decision: Skrmetti And The Future Of Trans Rights, Floersheimer Center For Constitutional Democracy, Zalman Rothschild, Jessica Clarke, Ben Eidelson, Katie Eyer, Kate Redburn

2025–2026 Flyers

No abstract provided.

Perlmutter Center's Derrick Hamilton, Reform Advocates Secure Passage Of New York State's Prison Justice Omnibus Package, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo School of Law recognized Derrick Hamilton, Deputy Director of the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice, and fellow criminal justice reform advocates for their role in advancing New York State's Prison Justice Omnibus Package. The legislation expands transparency, oversight, and accountability in state correctional facilities and reflects the advocacy of the End Prison Violence campaign.

Hallucinated Legal Presentations In Civil Trial Courts, Jeffrey Parness

Cardozo Law Review de•novo

Increasingly, hallucinated legal presentations are being discovered and sanctioned in U.S. federal and state civil trial courts. Such presentations encompass papers that are signed, filed, submitted, or advocated, which contain nonexistent legal sources, whether case precedents, statutes, court rules, administrative regulations, or otherwise. These presentations may be discovered by judges, presenting lawyers, opposing lawyers, unrepresented parties, or witnesses.

Private Canvas, Government Expression: Protest Art & The Government Speech Doctrine, Melanie P. Rigden

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that protest art is fundamentally incompatible with the government speech doctrine and should not be subject to its principles. It contends that applying this doctrine to political expression allows the government to suppress dissenting viewpoints and engage in censorship under the pretext of exercising its own speech rights.

How To Stop Mass Shootings Without Violating The Second Amendment: Designing Regulations To Prevent Acts Of Mass Violence That Pass The 6:3 History And Tradition Test, Robert D'Alessandro

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article proposes that states can constitutionally implement ammunition possession limits to reduce mass violence by aligning such laws with the "history and tradition" test established by the current Supreme Court. It argues that modern caps on ammunition are analogous to early American gunpowder restrictions, which were enacted for public safety to prevent catastrophic explosions in populated areas.

Public Defender Discretion, Alma Magaña

Articles

A focus of criminal legal system reform efforts has been the curtailment of police, prosecutorial, and judicial discretion, which has been criticized for its arbitrariness and its contribution to racial, class, and gender disparities. However, one system actor has largely escaped similar scrutiny: public defenders, who, by grant of authority from ethical rules of practice and Supreme Court jurisprudence, have significant decision-making authority in the cases of indigent persons charged with crimes.

This Article will, for the first time, explore the historical rationale for giving public defenders the power to make life-altering decisions for their clients. Specifically, it dissects the …

Freedom Clinic Faculty And Students Win Clemency Case Through New Jersey Second Chance Initiative, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

The Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice at Cardozo Law secured clemency for LaShawn Fitch through New Jersey's Second Chance Initiative. Cardozo Freedom Clinic faculty and students helped prepare Mr. Fitch's clemency petition, highlighting issues surrounding felony-murder sentencing, the trial penalty, and juvenile justice.

The Perlmutter Center For Legal Justice At Cardozo Law Secures Release Of Ernest Taylor After Serving 22 Years In Prison For A Minor Theft, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Announcement of the Perlmutter Center securing Ernest Taylor's release after resentencing.

Buried Burdens: Contaminated Lands And The Unfinished Business Of The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Yuwen Huyan

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

The Right To "Be Whole": A Jewish Religious Liberty Argument For Gender Affirming Care For Minors, Sarah Weiner

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

From Matrimony To Autonomy: Divorce As A Fundamental Right, Karin Carmit Yefet

Cardozo Law Review

Liberal divorce is under assault. Yet this development—one that arguably may shape the everyday life of Americans more profoundly than nearly any other domain of state law—has elicited surprisingly little scholarly inquiry. Because divorce has long fallen within the province of states and hewed to the whim of state legislatures, restrictions on divorce have rarely inspired constitutional analysis. As a result, the constitutional architecture necessary to conceptualize—let alone resolve—the question of how divorce law intersects with fundamental rights remains strikingly wanting. Indeed, one of the enduring puzzles of constitutional scholarship is the diametrically opposed treatment of marriage and divorce. While …

Scotus Term Preview, Floersheimer Center For Constitutional Democracy, Wilfred U. Codrington Iii, Kate Levine, Alexander Reinert

2025–2026 Flyers

No abstract provided.

The Containment, Floersheimer Center For Constitutional Democracy, Black Law Students Association (Blsa), Alexander Reinert, Michellle Adams, James Forman Jr.

2025–2026 Flyers

Join us for a special evening with Michelle Adams, the Henry M. Butzel Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, and former Cardozo Professor, as she discusses her acclaimed new book The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for School Desegregation.

Michelle Adams On Detroit, The Supreme Court, And School Segregation, Floersheimer Center For Constitutional Democracy, Black Law Students Association (Blsa), Alexander A. Reinert, Michelle Adams, James Foreman Jr.

2025 Event Invitations

Join us for a special evening with Michelle Adams, the Henry M. Butzel Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, and former Cardozo Professor, as she discusses her acclaimed new book The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for School Desegregation.

Alumni Updates: Fall 2025, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

This newsletter highlights recent achievements and career milestones of Cardozo alumni, including professional appointments, honors, awards, and new roles across law, business, media, and public service.

Cardozo Welcomes Newest Class Of J.D., Ll.M. Students, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo opened the new school year by welcoming the J.D. Class of 2028 and the LL.M. Class of 2026. The 1L students come from 36 states and from across the globe, including Albania, China, Israel, Italy, and South Korea.

Cardozo Law Launches The National Immigration Habeas Institute, As Part Of Its New Center For Immigration Innovation, National Immigration Habeas Institute, Center For Immigration Innovation

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo School of Law has launched the Center for Immigration Innovation, which will serve as a hub for immigration-related initiatives, including the new National Immigration Habeas Institute (NIHI). A partnership with the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, NIHI will train attorneys to litigate federal habeas petitions—an increasingly critical tool to protect noncitizens facing detention or deportation. The Center will also house the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic and a new Immigration Research Institute, which will host scholarship workshops, speaker series, and service-learning trips. Co-Directors Peter Markowitz and Lindsay Nash emphasized that the Center will strengthen advocacy, scholarship, and hands-on training …

Cardozo School Of Law And Yu Global Launch Online Master’S In Labor And Employment Law For Non-Lawyers, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo School of Law, in partnership with YU Global, has launched a fully online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) in Labor and Employment Law designed for non-lawyers in fields such as HR, compliance, and management. The 30-credit program equips professionals with legal knowledge to strengthen compliance and advance their careers, offering flexible online coursework taught by leading New York City scholars and practitioners. With a focus on real-world application, the curriculum covers topics such as employment discrimination, workplace investigations, and social media/privacy issues. Dean Melanie Leslie and Dr. Danielle Wozniak emphasized the program’s value in providing professionals with a …

August 2025 Annual Report, Perlmutter Center For Legal Justice At Cardozo Law

Perlmutter Center Reports

The August 2025 Annual Report documents the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice’s work at Cardozo Law during Spring and Summer 2025, highlighting major legal victories, partnerships, student clinical programs, policy advocacy, community outreach, and staff achievements. Prepared for The Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation, it details the Center’s efforts to address wrongful convictions, challenge flawed forensic science, expand pro bono collaborations, and advance criminal justice reform, while also providing staff updates, financial information, and program impact summaries.

Cardozo School Of Law Expands Its Criminal Defense Clinic To Address The Lack Of Representation Available To Individuals On Death Row Amid Increase In Cases, Death Penalty And Criminal Defense Clinic

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo announced the expansion of its Criminal Defense Clinic, now renamed the Death Penalty and Criminal Defense Clinic (DPCDC), to address the growing lack of representation for individuals on death row amid rising executions in the U.S. The clinic will provide students with specialized training in capital defense while continuing its long-standing work with the Legal Aid Society in New York City. Students will now also travel to southern states to investigate and draft post-conviction claims for death row clients. Co-directed by Professors Kathryn Miller and Jonathan Oberman, the clinic offers hands-on experience in high-stakes litigation and reflects Cardozo’s commitment …

Staff Development Day 2025: Topics On Jewish Law & Culture, Ellen Drucker-Albert

Library Staff Presentations

This presentation was delivered by Ellen Drucker-Albert, Head of Reference & Faculty Services, during Staff Development Day 2025 at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. It explores key aspects of Jewish law and culture, including the sources and development of Halacha, intersections with U.S. civil law, Jewish holidays and food customs, denominations of Judaism, and symbols like the mezuzah.

Immigration Justice Clinic Students Secure Major Court Victory In Ice Transparency Case, Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic

Cardozo Law News Archive

Students in the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic secured a major legal victory in federal court, advancing transparency around the treatment of Black immigrants in detention. In a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case filed in the Eastern District of New York, the court granted the clinic’s motion for partial summary judgment, compelling ICE to release key demographic data linked to records of abuse and misconduct. The successful motion was drafted by recent graduates Rob Cook ’25, Keisy Germosen ’25, and Stacy Moses ’25, under the supervision of Teaching Fellow Ellie Norton, marking an important step in government accountability.

Cardozo Celebrates Pride With 10th Annual Pride Brunch, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo celebrated the 10th Annual Pride Brunch on June 29, bringing together students and alumni in the Ruth & H. Bert Mack Pavilion to watch the NYC Pride March. Hosted by the Alumni Association and OUTlaw Alumni Group, the event honored the school’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community and marked the 10th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges. Proceeds supported the Paris Baldacci Scholarship, which benefits students advancing LGBTQ+ rights through clinics, externships, or activism, honoring the legacy of the late professor and his groundbreaking advocacy.

The Unique Function Of The Crime Against Humanity Of Other Inhumane Acts In The Progressive Development And Codification Of International Criminal Law, David Donat Cattin

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The article explores the evolution and role of "other inhumane acts" as a residual category within the definition of crimes against humanity, tracing its development from the Nuremberg trials through the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It highlights the potential of this category to adapt to new forms of atrocities and discusses the challenges and opportunities in aligning future treaty developments with existing legal frameworks.

Exceptions To The International Customary Law Rule On Head Of State Immunity Under International Criminal Law, Daniel D. Ntanda Nsereko

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The article examines the tension between head of state immunity and the pursuit of justice in international criminal law. It argues that while some nations and regional bodies, like the African Union, assert immunity for heads of state, international institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) reject this principle, emphasizing the rule of law and accountability. The ICC's jurisdiction, particularly through UN Security Council referrals, overrides state consent, challenging traditional notions of immunity. The article posits that states must adhere to their treaty obligations, such as the Rome Statute, and cannot unilaterally opt out for political expediency, reinforcing the …

The Hollywood Reporter Names Four Cardozo Alumni To Top Entertainment Attorney Lists, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Four Cardozo alumni were recognized by The Hollywood Reporter in its 2025 lists of top entertainment attorneys. Sasha Levites ’11 and Rachel Strom ’06 were named among New York’s Biggest Entertainment Attorneys, while Marc H. Simon ’01 and Gregory Slewett ’02 were included in Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys. Their achievements highlight Cardozo’s national strength in Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law, with alumni shaping major film, television, media, and digital industries.

Cardozo Welcomes Three New Members To Board Of Overseers, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

Cardozo recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Overseers: Parvin Aminolroaya ’08, John Elefterakis ’09, and Stephanie Knepper Basman ’08. Each brings extensive professional expertise and a strong commitment to advancing Cardozo’s mission of legal excellence, leadership, and service. Aminolroaya is a partner at Seeger Weiss LLP with major experience in mass tort and class action litigation. Elefterakis, founding partner of Elefterakis, Elefterakis & Panek, is a nationally recognized litigator and civil rights advocate. Knepper Basman, counsel and principal at SKA Marin, is a leader in affordable housing development and active in civic and community organizations.