New York Attorney General Letitia James announced her nomination of Ava Ayers to serve on the New York Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government.
Ayers is an associate professor at Albany Law School and brings extensive experience in government, ethics, and public service. Her professional background includes prior work with the New York State Office of the Attorney General and service as a federal judicial law clerk.
“A strong, independent body dedicated to ensuring ethical conduct in New York state government requires commissioners who uphold the ideals of public service,” James said in a statement. “That is why I am proud to nominate Ava Ayers. She has educated future leaders in law and public policy and has served the cause of justice at both the state and federal levels. I am confident she will serve our state with integrity and help restore public trust.”
Ayers has been a member of the Albany Law School faculty since 2016 and previously spent five years as director of the school’s Government Law Center. Before entering academia, she served as senior assistant solicitor general in the Office of the Attorney General.
Earlier in her career, Ayers clerked for Justice Sonia Sotomayor during her tenure on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as well as for Judge Gerard Lynch of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
As part of the nomination process, a public comment period has been opened, allowing members of the public seven days to submit feedback on the nominee. After the comment period concludes, the nomination will be reviewed by the Independent Review Committee comprised of New York’s law school deans, who will determine whether to approve or deny the appointment.
