Reunion 2026: A Weekend for Looking Back and Moving Forward
Alumni from class years ending in 1 and 6 gathered to celebrate their ties to Columbia Law School and each other.
Columbia Law School alumni from across the United States and 43 other countries gathered in Morningside Heights to reminisce, reflect, recharge, and renew relationships at Reunion 2026, held June 5 to 6.
The event-filled weekend kicked off with a cocktail reception at Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan on Friday, followed later that evening by LL.M. and affinity group after-parties. Saturday’s events on the Morningside campus included an all-class breakfast, alumni discussions on current legal topics, a special presentation from the Dean, a picnic lunch, and individual class celebrations.
After a welcome and introduction by Max W. Berger ’71, founding partner, Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, Daniel Abebe, Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law, provided updates from the past academic year and offered insight into the Law School’s strategy and approach as it looks to the future.
During his “State of the School” presentation, Dean Abebe reviewed his five strategic pillars, initially announced this past fall, which provide a “clear and actionable vision” to guide the Law School’s work: free expression and open discourse, academic excellence, lawyering for the future of the profession, institutional vitality and community flourishing, and seizing every opportunity to lead. He highlighted recent Law School accomplishments that support these priorities—including recruiting new faculty, events featuring distinguished speakers, graduates receiving prestigious Supreme Court clerkships, a new 1L cohort model, and developing new courses and modules that equip students to succeed in a profession being reshaped by AI.
He also encouraged celebrants to visit the Li Lu Law Library, which opened in December, during Reunion Weekend. “I think it will give you a sense of pride,” he said, “both in what Columbia Law School can accomplish but also in the continued vitality of this great institution.”
Reflecting on the current moment, Dean Abebe said that he senses “a new optimism, a feeling of excitement about what lies on the horizon, and a sense of purpose to define this institution’s next era of success. … I can see quite clearly how far we have come as a community, and I can see how far we can clearly go, together.”
Record Support From Alumni
As of July 20, giving from members of class years ending in 1 and 6 has exceeded $22.2 million—a record amount for these reunion classes—and still counting. The Classes of 1971 and 1976 have the highest rates of participation at nearly 30 percent; the Class of 1971 has the highest level of giving ($7.9 million), followed by the Class of 1981 ($5.4 million), and the Class of 1991 ($4.4 million).
Dean Abebe praised the reunion classes for their commitment to the Law School—both financial and otherwise. “I’m deeply grateful for your candor, and for your counsel and your guidance and your generosity,” he said. “Columbia Law School would not be what it is today without you and all that you represent.”
Providing Insights Into Current Legal Issues
Reunion 2026 programming featured alumni experts and practitioners:
- “Navigating AI in Legal Practice: Challenges and Opportunities,” moderated by Anu Bradford, Henry L. Moses Professor of Law and International Organization, with discussants Iris Chen ’01, general counsel and corporate secretary, Moloco Inc.; and Lasherelle Morgan ’01, senior vice president, legal, AI innovation and acceleration, NBCUniversal.
- “Constitutional Pillars and the Rule of Law,” moderated by Gillian Metzger ’96, Harlan Fiske Stone Professor of Constitutional Law, with participants Eric H. Holder, Jr. ’76, 82nd Attorney General of the United States; Paul Koffsky ’76, lecturer in law, Columbia Law School, and adjunct professor of law, Fordham Law School; Lucy Lang ’06, New York state inspector general; and Julissa Reynoso ’01, partner, Winston Taylor International.
