Professorships, Lectureships, and Awards
These appointments support NYLS’s commitment to scholarly life and developing a robust intellectual community on campus.
Professorships
Theodore Dwight 125th Anniversary Professor
Founded to honor the late Theodore Dwight, who was instrumental in founding NYLS in 1891.
David Chang, since 2015.
John Marshall Harlan II Professor
Founded in honor the memory of John Marshall Harlan II, Class of 1924, who served as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1955 to 1971.
Penelope Andrews, since 2022.
Distinguished Chair in Immigration and Human Rights Law
Created to recognize a distinguished professor in the area of immigration and human rights law.
Lenni B. Benson, since 2019. Read the announcement.
Martin Professor
Established with the support of the Martin Foundation Inc., in memory of Lester Martin, an industrialist, financier, and noted philanthropist.
Tamara Belinfanti, since 2020. Read the announcement.
Samuel Seabury Professor
Established in honor of Samuel Seabury, Class of 1893, who was known for his relentless fight in the first half of the 20th century against deep-rooted corruption in New York City and State government and the judiciary.
Ross Sandler, since 2024. Read the announcement.
Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor
Established through the generosity of the late Dr. Joseph Solomon, Class of 1927, who was a leading practitioner in the field of wills, trusts, and estates.
Rebecca Roiphe, since 2022.
Rita and Joseph Solomon Professor of Wills, Trusts, and Estates
Established through the generosity of the late Dr. Joseph Solomon, Class of 1927, who was a leading practitioner in the field of wills, trusts, and estates.
William LaPiana, since 1993.
C.V. Starr Professor of the Law of International Trade and Finance
Established by the Starr Foundation in memory of its founder, the late C.V. Starr.
Emeritus: Sydney M. Cone III, Emeritus Director of the Center for International Law.
Wallace Stevens Professor
Founded to honor the memory of a great American poet and 1903 NYLS graduate, and acknowledge the arts and humanities as a force in the lives of so many NYLS lawyers and the greater New York legal community.
Kris Franklin, since 2022.
Ernst C. Stiefel Professorship in Comparative Law
Established in 1996 by Ernst C. Stiefel, a leading practitioner of international and comparative law who was counsel to Coudert Brothers.
Ruti Teitel, since 1999.
Trustee Professor
Created by the NYLS Board of Trustees to recognize a distinguished professor.
Gerald Korngold, since 2022.
Robert F. Wagner Professor of Labor and Employment Law
Founded to honor the memory of distinguished alumnus and U.S. Senator Robert F. Wagner Sr., Class of 1900.
Arthur S. Leonard, since 2017.
Otto L. Walter Distinguished Chair in Tax Law
Established by the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation to honor distinguished alumnus and benefactor, the late Otto Walter ’54.
Ann F. Thomas, since 2013.
Lectureships
The Sidney Shainwald Public Interest Lecture Series
The lecture series, established in 2004, is a tribute to Sidney Shainwald, an impassioned advocate for social justice who worked for Consumers Union from 1937 to 1982. The series honors Mr. Shainwald’s life and work by bringing public interest and consumer advocates together and is intended to encourage students to consider public interest work as a viable and exciting career choice.
Ernst C. Stiefel Comparative and International Law Program
Established by Ernst Stiefel to support new projects and initiatives in the areas of comparative and international law, the program provides funding for symposia, visiting lectureships, scholarships, and faculty research activities.
Otto L. Walter Lecture in International Law
This lecture series was established by NYLS to honor its distinguished alumnus and benefactor, the late Otto Walter ’54, who founded Walter, Conston, Alexander & Green P.C., a firm that became well-known for its specialized practice in transnational law.
Awards
Walter Jeffords Jr. Distinguished Writing Award (1978–1994)
Given to faculty members in recognition of outstanding published scholarly writing.
Otto L. Walter Distinguished Writing Award (1995–present)
Given to full-time and adjunct faculty as well as graduating students in recognition of outstanding published scholarly writings.
Teaching Awards
Presented to a faculty member whom the graduating class wishes to recognize for excellence in teaching; conferred at Commencement.
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