Professor Ava Ayers Nominated for NY State Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government

Update: On February 15, 2023, Independent Review Committee of New York (IRC) confirmed Professor Ava Ayers appointment to the 11-member commission.

"The IRC’s review of this nomination was careful and rigorous,” said Anthony W. Crowell, IRC Chair and Dean of New York Law School. “We are pleased to have reviewed and approved ten appointees to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying In Government, and look forward to receiving the final nomination."

“I’m deeply honored to have been confirmed.  I look forward to working to make government better and more trustworthy for the people of New York," Ayers said.

Albany Law School Professor Ava Ayers has been nominated by New York State Attorney General Letitia James to serve on the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.

The Commission, comprised of 11 members, works to ensure compliance with the State’s ethics and lobbying laws and regulations. The Commission has jurisdiction over state agencies and departments including statewide elected officials, executive and legislative branch officers and employees, State public benefit corporations, and the SUNY and CUNY systems, among others.

Ayers has been a faculty member at Albany Law School since 2016, and spent five years as the Director of the Government Law Center. Ayers teaches courses in administrative law, government law and policy, civil procedure, and ethics and professional responsibility. She also serves as faculty advisor to the Government Law Review.

“A strong, independent body dedicated to ensuring ethical conduct in New York state government requires commissioners who uphold the ideals of public service,” Attorney General James said in a news release. “That is why I am proud to nominate Ava Ayers to the New York Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government. Ava has helped educate future leaders about government, law, and public policy, and has served the cause of justice on both the state and federal level. I am confident Ava will serve our state proudly in this new role, and be a leader in efforts to restore the public’s trust.”

Ayers previously was a Senior Assistant Solicitor General for the New York State Office of the Attorney General. After graduating law school, she was a law clerk for current Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, then a judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and later for Judge Gerard Lynch of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Members of the public have seven days to submit comments on the nomination. Then the nominee will be presented to the Independent Review Committee of New York's law school deans for review and approval or denial to serve on the Commission.