Michele Coleman Mayes, Vice President and General Counsel at the NY Public Library

Michele Mayes, a natural-born leader, has served a wide variety of institutions during her professional journey. Mayes was born in California and attended both college and law school at the University of Michigan. Her legal work experience included stints in the public sector, private sector, and today, at a non-profit. Mayes served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney both in Detroit, Michigan and Brooklyn, New York. Later in her career Mayes served as the executive vice … <Read More>



Judge Kaye’s Vision for Consolidation and Simplification of the Trial Courts

Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, who passed away at age 77 on January 6, 2016, left us some unfinished business to do: court reform. In 1998 Judge Kaye lobbied for a constitutional amendment that would have consolidated and simplified the New York trial court system. She hoped to get the legislative approval for a constitutional amendment and the required referendum during the 1998 and 1999 legislative sessions, followed by a vote on the referendum at … <Read More>


Work Associated with Residential Conversion of 1 Wall Street Approved

Robert A. M. Sterne-designed project would see the addition of several stories to an un-designated annex, and the creation of two additional window bays on south facade, among other work. On January 19, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered a proposal for alterations to the individually landmarked 1 Wall Street Building. The 1931, 50-story, Art Deco skyscraper in Lower Manhattan was built as an office tower by the Irving Trust Company to designs by … <Read More>


Breakfast Archive: Judge Judith S. Kaye

Two weeks ago, the Center for New York Law at New York Law School mourned the loss of Judge Judith S. Kaye. The Center was privileged to have Judge Kaye speak on three occasions at its CityLaw Breakfast series. Judge Kaye first visited New York Law School on March 6, 1998 and addressed the issue of Court Reform. The video from her speech was recently recovered and has now been digitally uploaded for the public … <Read More>


Alterations to St. Patrick’s Cathedral Approved

Approved work would allow Cardinal Dolan to exit and enter his residence without exposing himself to public thoroughfares. On December 15, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a proposal from the Archdiocese of New York to make alterations to the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Complex at 625 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The planned work entails the creation of a curb cut and an opening in the retaining wall. The Gothic Revival Cathedral Complex is an … <Read More>