When Andrew Dickson White began to lay plans for a law department at Cornell University, he wrote that he wanted to educate “not swarms of hastily prepared pettifoggers, but a fair number of well-trained, large-minded, morally-based lawyers in the best sense…” He hoped graduates of the school would become “a blessing to the country, at the bar, on the bench, and in various public bodies.”

Today, Cornell Law continues to fulfill this legacy. Cornell Law students, faculty, and graduates make an impact and advocate for others. The value of their work is incalculable. Cornell Law matters.

Message from the dean

Jens David Ohlin, Allan R. Tessler Dean and Professor of Law

“Our mission is to contribute to the book of knowledge, train lawyers in the best sense, and practice law for the greatest good. We define for ourselves what we study, do research in, and how we train students. With your help, we bring in diverse perspectives and teach expressive advocacy. The arc of history bends towards justice, but bending it requires human agency—it requires you.”

—Jens David Ohlin
Allan R. Tessler Dean and Professor of Law

Make your gift to Cornell Law now
Cornell Law School's Panel of Relevance of International Law in Modern Conflicts, hosted by Jens David Ohlin, the Allan R. Tessler Dean and Professor of Law, held in fall 2024. Increased annual fund support can lead to more events like this that supplement the Cornell Law education.
Cornell Law School’s Panel of Relevance of International Law in Modern Conflicts, hosted by Jens David Ohlin, the Allan R. Tessler Dean and Professor of Law, held in fall 2024. Increased annual fund support can lead to more events like this that supplement the Cornell Law education.
Cornell Law students Ayesha Umana Dajud JSD ’25, and Maria Alejandra Anaya-Torres JSD '25, testifying at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Barbados. Unrestricted annual fund gifts can support travel costs, allowing students to participate in transformative opportunities like this.
Cornell Law students Ayesha Umana Dajud JSD ’25, and Maria Alejandra Anaya-Torres JSD ’25, testifying at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Barbados. Unrestricted annual fund gifts can support travel costs, allowing students to participate in transformative opportunities like this.
Students in Cornell Law School’s Securities Law Clinic traveled to Upstate Oasis, a senior education center in Syracuse, to give a public presentation on investment fraud schemes that target seniors and retirees. Giana Wang JD '25, Lin Zhuang JD '25, Lucy Liu JD '25, and Kaitlyn Greening JD '24 spent the afternoon speaking to a group of attendees about the obligations of financial professionals, red flag warnings for dangerous investments, dangerous investment products, and how to background check investment professionals.
Students in Cornell Law School’s Securities Law Clinic traveled to Upstate Oasis, a senior education center in Syracuse, to give a public presentation on investment fraud schemes that target seniors and retirees. Giana Wang JD ’25, Lin Zhuang JD ’25, Lucy Liu JD ’25, and Kaitlyn Greening JD ’24 spent the afternoon speaking to a group of attendees about the obligations of financial professionals, red flag warnings for dangerous investments, dangerous investment products, and how to background check investment professionals.
International Human Rights Clinic students Merrick Black JD ’24 and Nkemdirim Obodo JD ’24, together with Professor Sandra Babcock and clinic partner Chipiliro Lulanga, provide a legal briefing to six clinic clients in Malawi’s Zomba prison.
International Human Rights Clinic students Merrick Black JD ’24 and Nkemdirim Obodo JD ’24, together with Professor Sandra Babcock and clinic partner Chipiliro Lulanga, provide a legal briefing to six clinic clients in Malawi’s Zomba prison.
Cornell Law's new Student Professional Development Program equips students with real-world tools, insider insight, and career momentum. Gifts to the Law School Annual Fund can further expand the program in years to come.
Cornell Law’s new Student Professional Development Program equips students with real-world tools, insider insight, and career momentum. Gifts to the Law School Annual Fund can further expand the program in years to come.

The Law School Annual Fund supports the Law School mission of:

Flexible funding will allow the dean to also enhance:

How Cornell Law will use future gifts at the following levels:

  • $5,000will support four summer internships in the public sector.
  • $10,000will bring a distinguished speaker to the school for a day of seminars and student interaction, enhancing civil discourse.
  • $30,000will support one student’s average financial aid package for one year.
  • $50,000will provide critical growth to the new Student Professional Development Program, building career readiness.

Multi-year commitments to the Law School Annual Fund are transformative! The Law School launched the Myron Taylor Society in 2025 to recognize our most generous annual fund supporters whose gifts maximize opportunity through flexibility. Multi-year commitments also count in full towards Law School class Reunion campaigns.

Contact Cornell Law

Connect with us to learn more about ways to give to the Cornell Law School Annual Fund by emailing the development team at law.alumni@cornell.edu.

Every dollar adds up

We can do so much more with your support this year—and every year.

Make your gift to Cornell Law