CUNY LawState Policy Lab

The CUNY Law State Policy Lab advances equitable, community-rooted policy through research, public education, and movement lawyering.

Meet the Founder

Jared M. Trujillo(he/him)

Founder · Associate Professor of Law, CUNY School of Law

Jared M. Trujillo (he/him) is an Associate Professor of Law at City University of New York Law School and founder of the CUNY Law State Policy Lab. He teaches Legislative Drafting, Constitutional Law, First Amendment, and Critical Race Theory. Before this role, he served as Senior Policy Counsel at the ACLU of New York, where he drafted and amended several bills that have become law, lobbied elected officials, testified for and against legislative efforts, and worked with impacted community members to educate the public and elected officials on criminal legal system issues, content moderation, and LGBTQ+ issues. Before that role, Jared was President of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (UAW 2325), the union that represents a majority of New York City’s indigent legal services workers, as well as a criminal and juvenile defense attorney.

His most recent law review article, Moonlighting in the Margins: Protecting the Rights of Workers Engaged in Lawful, Off-duty Sex Work, was published in the Georgetown Law Journal. His words and commentary have appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, The Guardian, Bloomberg News, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Advocate, New York Law Journal, and other outlets.

In addition to his work at CUNY, Jared is an appointee to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, a Board Chair of the American Constitution Society NY Chapter, and he serves as law and policy counsel for Equality New York. His first textbook, Drafting Justice: Legislative Drafting and Strategy for Movement Lawyers, is scheduled for release in early 2027.

Meet Our Student Fellows

Jordan Alexander(he/him)

Student Fellow · Second-year, CUNY School of Law

Jordan Alexander (he/him) is a second-year at CUNY School of Law with interests in health justice, medical malpractice, and public policy. He earned his B.A. from New York University, where he studied Global Liberal Studies and Politics and held leadership roles in student government. Before law school, Jordan worked in public defense, supporting attorneys and clients through intensive casework and direct client advocacy, and later assisted clients seeking compensation and healthcare benefits through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. Most recently, he served as a judicial intern in the New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County. Jordan’s interests center on using law and policy to strengthen institutional accountability and improve how healthcare, legal, and public systems support and uplift our communities.

Bareera Abid

Student Fellow · Second-year, CUNY School of Law

Bareera Abid is a second-year law student at the CUNY School of Law and is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Stony Brook University. Throughout her academic and professional career, Bareera has continuously sought opportunities to advocate for marginalized and underrepresented communities, a commitment that ultimately led her to pursue a legal education.

Bareera is especially interested in immigration, housing, and civil rights, and hopes to pursue a career in direct advocacy where she can work closely with the people she serves. For her, the most rewarding work is work that has a tangible impact on someone’s life. While she is still exploring where her legal career will take her, she knows that she wants it to remain rooted in public service and uplifting the communities around her.

Outside of law school, Bareera enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants and coffee spots, traveling, and hiking.