Dear Alumni & Friends,
FEW OF US COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED THE WAYS IN WHICH OUR WORLD—
and Columbia Law School—would be called upon to act, to evolve, and to adapt in the face of a pandemic that has affected nearly every aspect of human life around the world. As I reflect on the 2020 fiscal year, the experience certainly evokes descriptors that have become familiar, even overused: challenging, historic, unprecedented. But, even more powerful than feelings of disruption, I am filled with a deep sense of awe and gratitude for the ways our community has united, innovated, and recommitted to our common purpose, even during these challenging times. Adjusting quickly when the evolving public health conditions forced our retreat from the Morningside campus, our dedicated faculty took on the herculean task of shifting their classes online to ensure that our students could continue their studies uninterrupted. They also collaborated in sharing their expertise, authoring a free e-book, Law in the Time of COVID-19, which addresses key questions facing law and society during the pandemic. Even further, many faculty members engaged in pro bono and advocacy work, directly supporting those most in need—helping small businesses apply for federal grants and loans, advocating for medically at-risk individuals in immigration custody, and assisting vulnerable workers in accessing their stimulus payments, among other endeavors.
“ I am filled with a deep sense of awe and gratitude for the ways our community has united, innovated, and recommitted to our common purpose.” 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2020
