The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law has appointed Panamanian-born Prof. Gregorio Mayers, Esq., to its Board of Visitors.
CUNY Law said on Nov. 7 that Mayers, a tenured professor of Law and Government at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College (MEC), has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, strategic consultant, federal mediator, and tenured professor.
“Professor Mayers brings a wealth of expertise in criminal law, administrative law, and public policy to this role,” the law school said. “His expertise and commitment to social justice have made him a sought-after speaker on critical civil rights issues, including bail reform, reflecting CUNY Law’s mission of law in service of human needs.”
It said Mayers had distinguished himself through his “focused teaching” in criminal law, administrative law, and state and local government.
CUNY Law said Mayers’ extensive public service experience includes two terms as a senior policy advisor in the mayor’s office, where he oversaw portfolios for the Department of Education, Department of Youth and Community Development, New York City Housing Authority, and Small Business Services.
It said that Mayers’ recent appointments include being nominated by Gov. Kathy Hochul to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Board of Directors and appointed as commissioner for the Local Conditional Release Commission following nomination by the mayor and approval from the New York City Council — “further demonstrating his commitment to criminal justice reform and public service.”
Mayers said he was “grateful for the legal education and preparation” he received at CUNY Law to be trained as a public interest lawyer, adding that he was also “delighted” to be able to share his “professional and lived experiences from the public and private sector to the Board of Visitors.”
CUNY Law said Mayers’ impact extends beyond the classroom and government service, stating that, over the past decade, he has “played a pivotal role in representing numerous candidates for Civil and Supreme Court positions, as well as candidates for the House of Representatives, Assembly, and Senate.
“This experience in the intersection of law, politics, and public policy brings a valuable perspective to the Board of Visitors,” CUNY Law said.
New York State Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright, class of 1992, chair of CUNY Law’s Board of Visitors, said she was “delighted that CUNY Law School alumnus Gregorio Mayers, Esq., brings his extensive experience in government, higher education, and private practice to the Board of Visitors.
“As a professor, former department chair, voting rights advocate, and city government executive, he will provide unique input and perspective to our important work,” she added. “His appointment is a marvelous stroke of good fortune for CUNY Law.”
Former New York City Council Member Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, a Jamaican-born CUNY Board of Trustees member, told Caribbean Life on Thursday that she has been Prof. Mayers’ advisor since childhood.
“His mother was a die-hard supporter of mine, living on Ocean Avenue (in Brooklyn),” said the trailblazing Clarke, the first Caribbean-born woman ever elected to the New York City Council. “After his graduation from Medgar Evers College, he has always been an ardent supporter.
“He’s very disciplined, and so, whatever he’s appointed to, he will give it adequate time and his full devotion,” she added. “I have nothing but praise to heap on him.”
A proud CUNY alumnus, CUNY Law, said Mayers’ commitment to community “reflects the values that CUNY Law seeks to instill in its students.
“Mayers’ journey exemplifies CUNY Law’s mission of expanding access to legal education and fostering leadership that reflects our diverse communities,” it said.
Medgar Evers College’s website states that Mayers is an Associate Professor of Government and Law in the Department of Public Administration and serves as the deputy chair and chair of the criminal justice concentration.
In addition, it said Prof. Mayers is the College Ombudsman.
MEC said that Mayers migrated to the United States as a teenager and, shortly after arriving in New York, attended the college, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, with a concentration in public administration.
After completing his degree, MEC said Prof. Mayers enrolled in law school and completed his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree. After a few years in private practice, he returned to join the MEC faculty.
MEC said Prof. Mayers identifies as an Afro-Latino, serves on the board of the Panamanian Day Parade in Brooklyn, and is a board member of several other boards and a charter school board.
“Gregorio brings a wealth of knowledge in the space of law and policy, having served two terms as a senior advisor to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg,” MEC said. “In addition, he has successfully represented clients seeking public office, as well as judicial candidates seeking to be on the Bench.”
Prof. Mayers’ LinkedIn page also states that he’s the principal at GM Consulting, “a boutique firm specializing in campaign and election matters, research, strategic planning, and outreach communication strategy.”
The firm also represents small MWBEs seeking certification and access to government contracts.
CUNY Law said Prof. Mayers resides in Brooklyn with his wife, Onida Coward Mayers, a government relations executive, and their children, Carlos and Lavoneia.
