Dare to Innovate: Lela Love

Professor (Emerita) Lela Love, dared to reimagine how lawyers resolve conflict. A renowned mediator and dispute resolution pioneer, Professor Love joined Cardozo in 1985 and founded the Cardozo Mediation Clinic—one of the nation’s first programs to train law students as mediators. In 1990, she established the Kukin Program through a generous gift from Ira and Doris Kukin. Today, the Kukin Program includes four clinical offerings, the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, the International Advocate for Peace Award, and a comprehensive dispute resolution curriculum. Cardozo is now ranked the fifth-best dispute resolution law program in the country by U.S. News—a lasting testament to her vision.