Pace University News

Pace Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman was widely cited this week for his expertise on criminal law, accountability, and media ethics. In Newsweek, Professor Gershman weighs in on whether ICE agent Jonathan Ross could succeed in a defamation lawsuit after fatally shooting Renee Good, calling such a claim “inconceivable” given the legal standards surrounding defamation and public accusations of wrongdoing.

Bennett L. Gershman, a distinguished professor at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, authored the amNY opinion piece exploring whether accidentally causing a person’s death can legally qualify as a homicide, using a recent Greenwich Village case to unpack the nuances of criminally negligent homicide under New York law.

Dyson Professor Melvin Williams appears in USA Today amid coverage of Kendall Jenner addressing speculation about her sexuality. Professor Williams situates the story within the broader dynamics of celebrity journalism, noting that while public curiosity is baked into fame, neither celebrities nor private individuals owe explanations about their sexual orientation. He emphasizes that disclosures should remain a matter of personal choice, not public pressure.

The Daily Princetonian cites Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, in reporting on newly released Epstein files, noting his prior consideration as a potential expert witness in related proceedings.

Faculty Director of the Environmental Law Program and Professor Katrina Fischer Kuh writes a piece in Times Union about how New York’s Green Amendment can be used to advance environmental protections when regulatory processes stall. Drawing on a recent decision involving agricultural runoff into Owasco Lake, Professor Kuh explains how constitutional environmental rights can help enforce existing laws that protect water quality and public health.

Dyson Professor Seong-Jae Min  pens an op-ed in The Korea Times examining shifting portrayals of Asian masculinity in media. He explores how representation—once dominated by Orientalist stereotypes—has evolved in ways that increasingly shape dating culture and social perception, demonstrating the media’s power to both reflect and influence society.

The American Jewish Committee reports Pace President Marvin Krislov has begun work as a Fulbright Specialist hosted by AJC Paris, leading a joint U.S.–France initiative to address rising antisemitism and strengthen democratic resilience in higher education. The effort brings together academic, government, and civic leaders to identify policy solutions aimed at preventing antisemitism from becoming normalized, particularly among young people.

Law Professor Todd Ommen provides a legal analysis to The Croton Chronicle following a judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to limit nighttime train noise at the Croton-Harmon rail yard. Professor Ommen says his team is disappointed with the ruling and plans to appeal.

The Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) highlights Dyson Professor Anne Toomey, who has released open-access course materials for Research Methods for a Better World. The materials—developed for a course emphasizing real-world impact from the start of the research process—include a full syllabus, lectures, activities, and evaluations, expanding access to applied research training.