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Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Joins ���ҹ����� Haub Law in dedication of the Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room to inspire research and reflection on justice and equity

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ�����, in partnership with and other dignitaries, on Wednesday honored the life and legacy of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., a retired Marine and Westchester County corrections officer, with the dedication of the Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room.

The ceremony, which was part of the University’s sixth annual Social Justice Week, brought together students, faculty, elected officials, and community members to reflect on Chamberlain’s legacy and the landmark civil rights case that followed his death in 2011. Chamberlain was fatally shot by police at his home in White Plains after his medical alert device was inadvertently triggered—despite informing responding officers that he did not need assistance. The incident sparked national attention and urgent calls for reform in policing and mental health crisis response.

The new reading room, located within the Gerber Glass Law Center, is a . The curated collection includes works on housing and the environment, privacy and technology, and critical legal theory, along with other foundational texts that advance understanding of systemic injustice and social reform. The space also features a commemorative plaque and photo exhibition, honoring Chamberlain’s life and legacy.

Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins secured the funds through a $300,000 state grant, making this dedicated space – and its mission-- a reality.

Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., , delivered moving remarks about his journey from grief to advocacy.

“Justice is the vision. Accountability is the work,” said Chamberlain Jr. “Let this story break your heart—but let it also give you courage. Behind every statute is a human life that matters. This space isn’t just for my father — it’s for every family impacted by police violence.”

The federal civil case stemming from the shooting was led in part by Haub Law Professors Randolph McLaughlin and Debra Cohen, along with alumni Mayo Bartlett and Wali Muhammad. In 2020, , and in 2023, .

Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, who spoke at the event, also shared remarks on the importance of preserving Chamberlain’s legacy.

“We’ll never replace Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., but each of us can help move justice forward — through education, compassion, and practical solutions,” said Stewart-Cousins.

Turning to Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., she added: “Your father’s name will not be forgotten. This room ensures that his legacy lives on — in purpose.”

President Marvin Krislov reflected on the significance of the dedication as part of the University’s broader mission.

“Today’s dedication is about telling a story,” said President Krislov. “And it is a story that must be told. The story of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. is not just a tragic one, it is a call to conscience. It reminds us why we must continue to build spaces, like this Reading Room, that educate, illuminate, and advocate. This new space honors Mr. Chamberlain’s life and legacy. But it also stands as a testament to the tireless work of those who have carried that legacy forward.”

Horace E. Anderson Jr., dean at ���ҹ����� Haub Law, reflected on the vision behind the new space and the moment it commemorates. He described the Reading Room as a space for research, reflection, and dialogue — a place where students, scholars, and community members can find resources and engage meaningfully with the issues of equity, justice, and reform that shape our world today.

“As we open the new Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room, we are approaching the 14th anniversary of his tragic death, which occurred right here in the City of White Plains,” said Dean Anderson. “But the impact of his death has resonated far beyond just our community. His story has reached audiences across the nation, inspiring a movement toward compassion, accountability, and reform in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.”

The event also underscored the wide-ranging support for social justice initiatives across New York State. In addition to Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, several elected officials attended the ceremony, including:

• White Plains Mayor Tom Roach
• Westchester County Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson
• White Plains Council Member Justin Brasch

Senator Mayer, who serves on the law school’s Board of Visitors, spoke about the role of legal education in fighting systemic injustice.

“Having lawyers who understand the fight for social justice is critical,” said Senator Mayer. “This law school is committed to preparing students to look up, see those words — justice and equity — and go out into the world ready to fight for them.”

New York State Assemblymember Chris Burdick, who represents the district that includes ���ҹ����� Haub Law, commended the law school’s leadership and the reading room’s impact. He also presented a New York State Assembly Citation to President Krislov and Dean Anderson, recognizing their commitment to justice and legal education.

“This room is a powerful tribute to Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. — and also to the tireless efforts of those who fought for justice in his name,” said Assemblymember Burdick. “It’s a testament to the strength of this law school, its leadership, and the legal team who never gave up. We’re proud to stand with you in New York’s bold tradition of advancing justice.”

Professor Randolph McLaughlin, who co-led the civil case and brought that firsthand experience into the classroom, reflected on the meaning of the moment:

“The death of Kenneth Chamberlain was a tragedy — but from that tragedy, a movement was born,” said Professor McLaughlin. “Ken Chamberlain Jr. turned pain into purpose, and the creation of this room is a testament to that journey. This space will teach, inspire, and remind future generations of what justice requires.”

The event concluded with acknowledgments of the legal team, library staff, and community partners whose contributions made the space possible — ensuring that the legacy of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. will continue to inform and inspire generations of future lawyers.

About ���ҹ�����

Since 1906, ���ҹ����� has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, ���ҹ����� offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, Sands College of Performing Arts, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About ���ҹ�����’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law

���ҹ�����’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law offers both JD and Masters of Law degrees in Environmental Law and Comparative Legal Studies, as well as a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Environmental Law. The school, housed on the University’s campus in White Plains, NY, opened its doors in 1976 and has over 10,000 alumni around the world. The school maintains a unique philosophy and approach to legal education that strikes an important balance between practice and theory. Haub Law launched its Environmental Law Program in 1978, and it has long been ranked among the world’s leading university programs, with a current #1 ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ����� proudly conferred the 2025 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy on Professor John H. Knox and Dr. David R. Boyd for their groundbreaking leadership as successive United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the human right to a healthy environment. The award was presented on October 23, 2025 at ���ҹ����� in New York City before an audience of environmental and human rights advocates and supporters joining in person and virtually from around the world.

“John Knox and David Boyd are visionary leaders who laid the legal and moral groundwork for one of the most consequential developments in international environmental law: global recognition of the human right to a healthy environment,” said Horace E. Anderson, Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ����� and President of the Haub Award Jury. “Their work represents more than the contributions of two individuals; it symbolizes what can be achieved through sustained advocacy, diplomacy, and global cooperation.”

���ҹ����� President Marvin Krislov lauded the laureates’ impact: “Through their work as United Nations Special Rapporteurs, they have made that right clearer, stronger, and harder to ignore. We are honored to celebrate leaders whose efforts have advanced environmental protection through law and diplomacy on the world stage.”

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Following introductions by ���ҹ����� | Environmental Law Professors Katrina Fischer Kuh and Camila Bustos, the award was presented by ���ҹ����� Trustee Liliane Haub, a member of the Haub Award Jury, joined by members of the Haub family including Christian Haub, Marie-Liliane Haub, Anna-Sophia Haub-Singh, and Amarpreet Haub-Singh. “Through their leadership and collaboration, Professor Knox and Dr. Boyd have helped turn a powerful idea into a recognized international right: clean air, safe water, and a healthy planet for all,” said Ms. Haub.

John H. Knox, Henry C. Lauerman Professor of International Law at Wake Forest University, served from 2012–2018 as the UN’s first Independent Expert and later the first Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy and environment. His mandate culminated in the Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment, clarifying states’ obligations to protect the environment under existing human rights law and foregrounding non-discrimination and protection of environmental defenders.

David R. Boyd, a professor at the University of British Columbia, served as Special Rapporteur from 2018–2024. He built a global coalition of governments, UN agencies, and more than 1,300 civil society organizations, filed amicus briefs in landmark cases, and produced over 30 UN reports documenting how recognition of the right is driving cleaner air and water, stronger laws, biodiversity protection, and climate action.

Together, Knox and Boyd helped catalyze the UN Human Rights Council (2021) and UN General Assembly (2022) resolutions recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, momentum reinforced this year by the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion which affirmed the right as part of international law.

Through their leadership and collaboration, Professor Knox and Dr. Boyd have helped turn a powerful idea into a recognized international right: clean air, safe water, and a healthy planet for all.

—Liliane Haub

A highlight of the event was a timely and thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Advancing the Right to a Healthy Environment” moderated by Professor Smita Narula, Haub Distinguished Professor of International Law and Co-Director of the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies at ���ҹ����� Haub Law.

The conversation brought together the Laureates with Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, to reflect on the evolution of the right to a healthy environment, tracing its journey from a long-contested aspiration to a now universally recognized norm of international law. The panelists discussed the global momentum that followed the United Nations General Assembly’s 2022 resolution affirming the right, and the subsequent role of states, courts, and communities in implementing it. The discussion emphasized the critical importance of transforming legal recognition into meaningful action, ensuring that the right protects those most vulnerable to environmental harm and drives real-world improvements in air, water, and land quality.

Dr. Boyd highlighted the practical implications of the right, noting that its recognition “moves environmental protection from something governments might consider to something they are obligated to deliver,” underscoring how it serves as a powerful legal and moral tool for achieving cleaner, safer, and more sustainable communities worldwide.

The panelists emphasized that realizing the promise of this right requires collaboration among governments, civil society, and international institutions, and that the growing global consensus reflects not only progress in law, but also in justice and equity.

In closing, the panelists encouraged law students and young lawyers to take inspiration from the collective action that led to the UN’s recognition of the right. “Never underestimate the power of collaboration and conviction,” said Ambassador Chan Valverde. “Every generation has the chance to make international law stronger, fairer, and more reflective of our shared humanity—and that work begins with you.”

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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ����� is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Margot J. Pollans as the Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law.

“Professor Pollans exemplifies the excellence, innovation, and leadership that define the ���ҹ����� | Haub Environmental Law Program,” said Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ�����. “Her scholarship has not only deepened our understanding of environmental governance and sustainable food systems, but also strengthened ���ҹ����� Haub Law’s national and international reputation as a leader in environmental law education and policy. Equally important, she has demonstrated exceptional service to the Law School by mentoring students, leading initiatives, and contributing to key faculty committees. This appointment is a well-deserved recognition of her remarkable impact on our community.”

Professor Pollans exemplifies the excellence, innovation, and leadership that define the ���ҹ����� | Haub Environmental Law Program.

–Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ�����

Since joining the ���ҹ����� Haub Law faculty in 2015, Professor Pollans has been an integral part of the community as an innovative scholar, inspiring teacher, and collaborative colleague. She currently serves as Faculty Director of the ���ҹ����� Food Law Center and Joseph P. D’Alessandro Faculty Scholar. Previously, she held the designations of James D. Hopkins Professor of Law from 2023–2025 and Shamik and Adrienne Trivedi Faculty Scholar from 2020–2022.

Professor Pollans is an accomplished scholar whose primary research interests lie in the areas of food and agriculture law, administrative law and social justice. Her work has been published in leading journals, including the California Law Review, Michigan Law Review, Ohio State Law Journal, Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, and the Harvard Environmental Law Review. She is also the co-author of the casebook Food Law: Cases & Materials. In 2022, she received the Law School’s prestigious Goettel Prize for Faculty Scholarship for her article “Eaters, Powerless by Design” (120 Mich. L. Rev. 643 (2022)). Recently, she and co-author Noa Ben-Asher, Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law, were selected as 2025 Dukeminier Awards Winners for their article, “Gender Regrets: Banning Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care” (Utah L. Rev. 763 (2024)).

Beyond her scholarship, Professor Pollans has been a driving force in shaping ���ҹ����� Haub Law’s national presence in the field of food and agriculture law. Under her leadership, the ���ҹ����� Food Law Center has become a hub for interdisciplinary research and advocacy at the intersection of food, climate, and justice. She is part of the Farm Bill Law Enterprise, a national collaboration of law school programs working toward a more equitable, sustainable, and health-focused farm bill.

Prior to joining ���ҹ����� Haub Law, Professor Pollans was the inaugural academic fellow at UCLA School of Law’s Resnick Program for Food Law and Policy and served as a Staff Attorney and Clinical Teaching Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Public Representation, where she worked on environmental litigation and supervised student clinicians. She clerked for the Honorable David Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and, in 2017, was recognized as one of the “40 Under 40 Rising Stars in Food Policy” by the NYC Food Policy Center.

The Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professorship in Environmental Law was established to honor faculty who exemplify the highest standards of environmental legal scholarship and leadership. Created in honor of Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin, the endowment supports the Kerlin Professorship and the annual Kerlin Lecture on Environmental Law, helping expand ���ҹ����� Haub Law’s programs in environmental research, education, and scholarly activity. Professor Nicholas A. Robinson was named the first Kerlin Distinguished Professor in 1999, followed by Professor Jason J. Czarnezki in 2013. Professor Pollans now continues this legacy of excellence and impact.

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Maria Selva ’18, Senior Marketing Operations Manager at Upfluence and former Global Marketing Operations Manager at HBO Max, shares how her ���ҹ����� education helped launch her global marketing career. In this episode, Maria walks us through her journey from growing up in Mexico to managing campaigns for Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. She reflects on the power of cultural connection, navigating imposter syndrome, and finding your voice in a global industry.

This episode was recorded on October 27, 2025.

Tune into the Lubin Link podcast to hear how guests went from go-getting Lubin students to successful entrepreneurs, social media mavens, directors, CEOs, and beyond. They offer their best tips to students and share how you can make the most out of your #LubinLife.