Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Professor Emeritus Michael B. Mushlin has been recognized with the John R. Dunne Champion of Justice Award by Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS). The award ceremony highlighted Mushlin’s career as a scholar, advocate, and defender of prisoners’ rights.
During the presentation, Karen Murtagh, Executive Director of PLS, described Mushlin as a “giant in the field of justice,” a “tireless advocate,” and an “extraordinary teacher” who has been “steadfastly courageous and unrelenting in his pursuit of justice.” She emphasized Mushlin’s four decades at Pace Haub Law, where he has mentored and inspired students, teaching them about both law and humanity.
Murtagh also pointed to Mushlin’s influence in the field of prisoners’ rights, citing his four-volume treatise on the subject and his scholarship, which she called “practical, powerful, and deeply necessary,” and as “giving a voice to the voiceless and tools to those of us fighting for them.” She added that his work serves as a “lifeline” for attorneys, advocates, judges, and law students. Concluding her remarks, she said, “When we look at your work, your writing, your teaching, your advocacy. We see more than a legal or teaching career. We see a life lived in service to justice, accountability, and human dignity. You have inspired generations of lawyers.”
Accepting the award, Mushlin praised PLS for “standing up for people who are too often forgotten.” He spoke about the collective responsibility of institutions and advocates to advance prisoners’ rights and expressed optimism about future advocates continuing the effort for a more just society. He stated, “the right for prisoners’ rights is the fight for a decent society.”
Mushlin is a nationally recognized authority in correctional law. He joined Pace Haub Law in 1984 and has taught courses including Civil Procedure, Evidence, Prisoners’ Rights, Criminal Procedure, and Federal Courts. He authored the treatise Rights of Prisoners and serves on the Advisory Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure to the New York State Judiciary. His previous roles include staff attorney and project director at the Prisoners’ Rights Project of the Legal Aid Society and Associate Director of the Children’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. Mushlin has also held leadership positions at the Correctional Association of New York, the Osborne Association, and the New York City Bar Association’s Corrections Committee.
He has published book chapters and articles on evidence, federal jurisdiction, civil procedure, children’s rights, and prisoners’ rights in several law journals. He is also co-author of New York Evidence With Objections.
The John R. Dunne Champion of Justice Award honors those who further the mission of the late John R. Dunne, former New York State Senator and Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights. In her introduction, Murtagh described Dunne as “a rare public service, one who led with intellect, integrity, and heart,” and a “moral compass” and “champion of the voiceless.” She called the award a fitting recognition for “another warrior for justice.”
