Valerie Watnick

Professor Valerie Watnick is a full-time faculty member and Chair of the Department of Law at the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College (CUNY). She holds a JD from Cornell Law School and a BS in Accounting from Bucknell University.

• Education:
  • JD, Cornell Law School
  • BS, Accounting (cum laude), Bucknell University

Her research focuses on Environmental Law, Law and Sustainability, and Contracts and Business Law, with notable work on:

• Toxic substance regulation under the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act
• Pesticide policy and the Food Quality Protection Act
• Climate change and industrial animal agriculture
• Cosmetics and organic foods regulation
• Corporate responsibility for PCB remediation in schools

Recent publications (2022-2025) emphasize pesticide risks to children, glyphosate litigation, and regulatory reforms for industrial animal agriculture. Her work spans Environmental Law, Public Health, and Corporate Ethics.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Zicklin Excellence Award for Innovation and Excellence (2022)
  • Kubasek Award Finalist (2021)
  • ALSB Distinguished Proceedings Award (2015)
  • Multiple Zicklin Summer Research Awards
  • Teaching Excellence Award (2004)

She has secured continuous research funding from PSC CUNY (2021-2025) for Department of Law initiatives. Her service includes leadership roles in Baruch/Zicklin committees (Personnel and Budget, Middle States Steering Committee) and community engagement (Parent Teacher Associations, Environmental Task Forces).