
From Left to Right: Keynote panelists Christie Peale, Colvin Grannum, Commissioner Vicki Been, and moderator Matthew Hassett. Image credit: Center for NYC Neighborhoods
The keynote panel focused on the issues and challenges raised by affordable housing creation and preservation in New York City. On September 30, 2015, the Center for NYC Neighborhoods held its conference on the Future of Affordable Homeownership in NYC. The event was hosted at New York Law School and sponsored by NYLS, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, the Center for Real Estate Studies, the Center for New York City Law, and several other public and private institutions. The panel included Vicki Been, commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Colvin Grannum, president and CEO of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Christie Peale, executive director of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, and moderator Matthew Hassett, director of policy and communications at the Center for NYC Neighborhoods.
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In “The Believers”, Chris Connor (Taylor Anthony Miller) begins a long day at the campaign office. (Image Credit: The Storm Theatre Company)
(This post originally appeared on October 28, 2014.)
“How far will you go to achieve what you want?” “How long will you hold up when the outside world pushes back?” These questions, frequently decided by the strength of a person’s beliefs, form the basis of The Believers, the debut play of playwright and New York Law School alum Robert Carroll. (read more…)

Ross Sandler
Civic Fame is the colossal, 25-foot tall gilded female figure in a flowing robe who stands barefoot on a sphere at the top of the Municipal Building overlooking City Hall. Civic Fame, created in 1913 by sculptor Adolph Weinman, carries a five-sectioned crown representing the five boroughs, and a shield and laurel branch representing victory and triumph.
On May 1, 2015, the statue also became the name of a new award by New York Law School. The annual Civic Fame award will honor individuals who have made significant and long term contributions to the civic life of New York City. The four initial honored awardees include a private business leader who accepted major civic assignments, a foundation executive who devoted herself to developing innovative civic programs, a Law Department lawyer who represents the best in the legal profession, and a younger NYLS graduate who has given special service to the Center for New York City Law. Each awardee received a unique certificate bearing the striking image of Civic Fame.
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Ross Sandler
On this 20th anniversary of the Center for New York City Law many thanks are due
Harry Wellington, former Dean of New York Law School, along with the faculty of New York Law School, embraced the idea that the government of New York City was a worthy academic subject. Dean Anthony Crowell continues that enthusiastic support. (read more…)

Kathleen Grimm, NYLS class of 1980. Image credit: New York Law School
Kathleen Grimm, who passed away on February 17, 2015, never stopped working for the good of New York City. She took on the toughest jobs and did them with grace and competence. People who worked with her once, did so again and again and did so happily. She had friends everywhere in government, and just as many here at New York Law School.
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Finn Square, Tribeca, Manhattan. Image Courtesy of Tribeca Trust.
Since sprouting up during the Bloomberg administration, new pedestrian -friendly public plazas have served as urban pit stops, places where time pressed New Yorkers can people-watch, grab a bite and have some down time before heading back to school, work, or a rigorous day of shopping. (read more…)