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This year’s Commencement brings together leaders shaping the world across journalism, healthcare, law, and business. Meet the 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients and speakers who will inspire the Class of 2026 as they step into what’s next.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17�Թ��� is pleased to announce that the Honorable Francesca E. Connolly ’82, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, will deliver the Law School’s commencement address at its 48th Commencement Ceremony, to be held May 21 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Justice Connolly will also receive the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, the highest honor conferred by the Law School.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17�Թ��� has once again been ranked #1 in the nation for Environmental Law by U.S. News & World Report, marking the seventh time—and the sixth consecutive year—the program has earned the top distinction and further solidifying its position as a global leader in environmental legal education.

When Mohammed Ali ’26 began thinking about law school, he already had a clear example to follow: his older sister, Aleh Ali ’19. Years after Aleh graduated from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17�Թ���, Mohammed followed her path and enrolled at 17�Թ��� Haub Law himself.

The Land Use Law Center at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17�Թ��� was recognized as Westchester County municipal leaders formally signed a new intermunicipal agreement reestablishing the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC), a coalition of 14 municipalities committed to advancing watershed protection, flood mitigation, and regional resilience.

For Jeshica Patel ’17, her desire to pursue a legal career began early and was eventually driven towards a passion for science and environmental policy.

Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman pens an op-ed this week in amNewYork where he criticizes efforts to investigate attorneys involved in January 6 cases, warning that such actions risk politicizing the Justice Department.

Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman pens an op-ed in the New York Law Journal. Gershman raises concerns about proposals that could weaken oversight of federal prosecutors, underscoring the importance of accountability and ethical standards in maintaining the rule of law.

Bridget J. Crawford, professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17�Թ���, was recently featured in LexBlog, which highlighted her work on evolving trust law. Her work examines how emerging legal frameworks—such as fetal-personhood laws and “silent trusts”—are reshaping fiduciary governance and raising new questions about accountability.