Founded in 2012, the Urban Law Center at Fordham Law School seeks to investigate and improve the role of the law and legal systems in contemporary urbanism. It promotes an interdisciplinary understanding of the legal, governance, and regulatory aspects of urban environments by advancing collaborative research and scholarship, organizing local and global convenings, and supporting knowledge sharing, career pathways and pedagogy in the world of urban law. In particular, the Center’s efforts focus on forces that shape urban inequality and urban innovation, targeting the most pressing issues facing our nation’s cities and their metropolitan regions.
Jason Otaño, New York City Council
Jason Adolfo Otaño in is an attorney and community advocate, currently serving as General Counsel to the New York City Council, where he represents the legal interests of the legislative body of the City and all of its members. Jason is a Judge Advocate in the United States Army JAG Corps. Reserve Component, holding the rank of Captain.
Jason previously served for four years as the General Counsel to former Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, advising on legal and policy issues affecting local governance and the implementation of initiatives throughout Brooklyn. Prior to his current appointment, Jason was a candidate for both the State Senate and Assembly, in Brooklyn and served on a number of nonprofit boards. Jason has also practiced general commercial law and entertainment law.
Jason received his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University in 2004 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham College at Rose Hill in the Bronx in 2001, with a double major in Latin American/Latino Studies and Political Science and a concentration in Peace and Justice Studies.