Brooklyn Law School Unveils Refreshed Visual Identity as it Begins its 125th Anniversary Year
One-and-a-quarter centuries have passed since Brooklyn Law School first welcomed students into the classroom on Sept. 30, 1901. The five students who enrolled on day one attended weekday evening lectures at 243 Ryerson St. in classrooms that Heffley’s business school was not using after hours. Tuition was $80 per year.
Much has changed since then, but the essence of what makes Brooklyn Law School special has remained.
Brooklyn Law School’s 125th anniversary year officially begins on Sept. 30, 2026, and a new visual identity—which honors a proud history while reflecting the ambition, innovation, and excellence that define the Law School today—will help mark this historically significant milestone.
When planning began for the anniversary, the original assignment was straightforward: create a commemorative logo worthy of a quasquicentennial anniversary.
But in January 2026, as President and Joseph Crea Dean David D. Meyer began meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the vision for the anniversary, the conversation quickly evolved into something much bigger.
Instead of simply focusing on what an anniversary logo should look like, the discussion shifted to more fundamental questions about the qualities that define Brooklyn Law School—and whether the branding that was developed in 2014 and refined in 2018 fully captured the institution’s vibrancy, strength, and continued evolution.
Reflecting What Brooklyn Law School Has Become
Members of the Brooklyn Law School community—including trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and students—recognized that the institution had evolved significantly in recent years.
The refreshed identity reflects an institution that has experienced extraordinary growth and achievement across every area:
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Student demand has surged. Applications have increased by nearly 50 percent over the last two years, and the Law School has welcomed some of the strongest and most diverse entering classes in its history.
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Student outcomes continue to reach new heights. Bar examination results have improved significantly, with an 88 percent first-time pass rate on the February 2026 New York Bar Exam.
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Graduates are achieving historic career success. The Class of 2025 achieved the strongest employment outcomes in Brooklyn Law School history, with 90.7 percent of graduates securing full-time, long-term legal employment within 10 months of graduation. The Law School also earned a No. 42 national ranking for Big Law placement.
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Faculty excellence continues to grow. Faculty scholarly impact now ranks 29th in the nation.
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Alumni engagement and philanthropy have reached record levels.The 2025 and 2026 fiscal years produced the strongest fundraising results in the Law School’s history, including a transformational $12 million gift from the estate of Sheridan Albert 48—the largest gift ever received by Brooklyn Law School.
The Law School's branding no longer fully reflected that evolution.
What began as a request for a standalone anniversary logo became a comprehensive refresh of Brooklyn Law School’s institutional identity.
"Our 125th anniversary provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our history, of course, but also to articulate what Brooklyn Law School has become," said Dean Meyer. "The refreshed identity reflects the ambition, innovation, and excellence that our students, faculty, alumni, and staff demonstrate every day."
Honoring Tradition While Looking Ahead
The refreshed visual identity is designed to honor Brooklyn Law School's 125-year legacy while expressing the confidence and aspirations of the institution today.
At its center remains the Brooklyn Bridge, a symbol of the Law School's enduring connection to the borough that has shaped its history for 125 years.
While still recognizable and familiar, the updated branding introduces thoughtful changes that reinforce the Law School's mission and aspirations:
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A shield frames the bridge, creating a timeless symbol of academic excellence, strength, and tradition.
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A more detailed illustration of the Brooklyn Bridge offers a stronger and more authentic representation of one of New York City's defining landmarks.
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Upward-rising suspension cables reflect a sense of optimism, aspiration, and forward momentum.
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An expanded color palette preserves Brooklyn Law School's signature red while adding warmth, flexibility, and energy across print, digital, and environmental applications.
Each design decision serves the same purpose: ensuring that Brooklyn Law School's visual identity reflects the ambition, innovation, and excellence that define the institution today.
A Community Effort
The rebranding effort was shaped through months of collaboration with trustees, the 125th Anniversary Planning Committee, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Brooklyn Law School community.
"The original assignment was simply to create a 125th anniversary logo," said Kathryn Gerlach, who heads marketing and communications for the Law School and leads the 125th Anniversary Planning Committee. "But the more we listened to our community, the clearer it became that this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a visual identity that reflects who we are as a Law School today while honoring the legacy that brought us here."
As Brooklyn Law School begins its 125th Anniversary year, the new brand serves as both a tribute to the generations who built the institution and a statement of confidence in the generations who will shape its future.