Anthony Crowell

President, New York Law School
New York, NY

Anthony W. Crowell is New York Law School’s (NYLS) Dean and President and teaches state and local government law.

As a first-generation student and long-time public servant, Dean Crowell reintroduced NYLS as “New York’s law school.” His management philosophy is rooted in his experience as a senior executive in City government for more than a decade where he served as Counselor to Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Under his leadership, NYLS has been rebranded and repositioned as a school for the 21st Century lawyer. The School issued its first two comprehensive strategic plans; published an Institutional Diversity Plan; built an Office of Diversity and Inclusion; adopted an innovative new curriculum; built new academic/bar success and student leadership programs; and, dramatically expanded clinical and experiential learning programs.

Dean Crowell has been honored as Faculty Member of the Year by the NYLS Black Law Students Association, named one of the “People to Watch in Higher Education” by Crain’s New York Business, and among the “50 most influential people in academia statewide” and the “Law Power 100” by City & State New York. NYLS has received top rankings and accolades in clinical and experiential learning, diversity and inclusion, and other areas.

As Counselor, Dean Crowell was counsel and senior management and policy advisor to the Mayor, and general counsel to the Office of the Mayor. From 2002 to 2012, he managed a broad portfolio of legal, regulatory, legislative, governance, and operational matters to enhance public performance, competitiveness, accountability, and integrity.

From 1997-2002, he was an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City Law Department’s Tax & Condemnation and Legal Counsel Divisions. In 2001, he was counsel to the 9/11 Family Assistance Center, aiding victims’ families and directing the Death Certificate Program. From 1992-97, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the International City/County Management Association managing government affairs and policy and working with federal agencies and Congressional offices. He also was a law clerk at the State & Local Legal Center, assisting in the preparation of amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court centering on constitutional federalism.

Dean Crowell is an active member of New York‘s legal and civic communities, as well as national organizations. He is President of the National Association of Standalone Graduate Schools. He is also a member of the City Bar Association’s New York City Affairs Committee, which previously awarded him its Outstanding Municipal Attorney Award. He is a Board member of the Brooklyn Public Library (former Chair), Citizens Union of NY, the Congressional Award Foundation, and served for eight years on the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board.