Ava Ayers

Biography

A.B., Vassar College
J.D., Georgetown Law

Ava Ayers graduated first in her class from Georgetown Law in 2005. She then clerked for the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, now a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, during her term on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She also clerked for the Honorable Gerard Lynch on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

After clerking, Ayers worked for nine years in the office of the New York Attorney General, where she was a Senior Assistant Solicitor General. She served both as a supervisor and as lead counsel in various high-profile cases involving immigration law, states’ rights, constitutional rights, environmental law, and other issues.

Ayers is the author of A Student’s Guide to Law School, published by the University of Chicago Press, as well as articles on legal ethics, immigration law, federalism, and other subjects.

In the News

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured on the WMHT-TV news show, "NY Now-Probe Into Sexual Harassment Claims Against Gov. Andrew Cuomo," on March 1, 2021.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was quoted in the Altamont Enterprise article, "GPD reform would have social workers, EMS answer some police calls," on Feb. 23, 2021.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured in the Albany Times-Union article, "Albany council asks for a plan before passing police reforms," on Feb. 10, 2021.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured on WTEN-TV in the news story, "Sedition? Treason? Coup? What do they mean," on Jan. 7, 2021.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured on Spectrum-TV in the news story, "Albany Law's Ava Ayers on Attempts To Overthrow the Election," on Dec. 14, 2020.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured on WRGB-TV in the news story, "Albany law explainer recommends social workers, crisis intervention on mental health calls," on Nov. 24, 2020.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured on WTEN-TV in the news story, "Albany Law School professor: Legal challenges from Trump administration won't change election results," Nov. 11, 2020.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured in the New York State Bar Association news release, "NYSBA Task Force Releases Election Report Ahead of Nov. 3 Presidential Contest," on Oct. 20, 2020.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was quoted in the Spectrum-TV news article, "Is it Time to Bid Farewell to the Electoral College?" on Oct. 20, 2020.

Director of the Government Law Center and Assistant Professor Ava Ayers was featured in the Spotlight News news article, "Sheriff Apple wants to know what you think," on Oct. 13, 2020.