Valerie Watnick

Professor

Zicklin School of Business

Department: Law

Areas of expertise: Environmental Law, Law and Sustainability, Contracts and Business Law

Email Address: valerie.watnick@baruch.cuny.edu

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Professor Valerie J. Watnick is a graduate of Cornell Law School (J.D. 1988) and hold a B.S. in accounting from Bucknell University, (1985). Prof. Watnick has been teaching at CUNY since 1995, first as a tenured associate professor at Bronx Community College, and then as a Professor and Chair (Department of Law) at Baruch College since 2000. 

Education

J.D., Law, Cornell Law School

B.S., Accounting, cum laude, Bucknell University

SemesterCourse PrefixCourse NumberCourse Name
Fall 2023LAW3122HHon Law & The Env
Spring 2023LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2022LAW3400Law, Business & Sustainability
Spring 2022LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2021LAW3400HLaw, Business and Sustainabili
Spring 2021LAW3122HHon Law & The Env
Fall 2020LAW1101HHon Fund Bus Law
Spring 2020LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2019LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2019LAW3400Law, Business & Sustainability
Fall 2018LAW3122HHon Law & The Env
Spring 2018LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2017LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2017LAW3122Law and the Environment
Fall 2015LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2015IDC4001HHon NY In 21st Cent
Fall 2014LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2013LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2013LAW3122HHon Law & The Env
Spring 2013LAW5000Independent Study LAW I
Spring 2012LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2012LAW4900Law, Public Pol, Legal Theory
Fall 2011LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2011LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2011LAW3122HHon Law & The Env
Spring 2011LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2011LAW3122Law and the Environment
Fall 2010LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2010LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2010LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2010LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2010LAW3122Law and the Environment
Fall 2009LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2009LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2009LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2009LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2009LAW3122Law and the Environment
Fall 2008LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Fall 2008LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2008LAW3122Law and the Environment
Spring 2008LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2008LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2007LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2007LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2007LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2007LAW3122Law and the Environment
Fall 2006LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2006LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2006LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2006LAW3122Law and the Environment
Fall 2005LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Fall 2005LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2005LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2005LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2005LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2004LAW3102Law of Business Organizations
Spring 2004LAW9800Intensive Survey Law
Fall 2003LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2003LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2003LAW9800Intensive Survey Law
Spring 2003LAW9800Intensive Survey Law
Spring 2003LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2003LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2002LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2002LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2002LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2002LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2002LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Spring 2002LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2001LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2001LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law
Fall 2001LAW1101Fundamentals of Business Law

Journal Articles

Watnick , V. J. (2017). “A Literature Review, a Workshop, and Practical Suggestions: Managing a Department, Working with the School Dean and Staying Research Active.” . In Progress.

Book Chapters

(2004). The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, in Major Acts of Congress. (pp. pp.95-96). MacMillan Reference USA, Thompson Gale.

Watnick, V. (2004). Risk Assessment: Obfuscation of Policy Decisons in Pesticide Regulation and the EPD's Dismantling of the Food Quality Protection Act's Safeguards for Children (Reprint). In Shapiro, S., & Bollier, D. (Eds.), Sophisticated Sabotage: The Intellectual Games Used to Subvert Responsible Regulations, The Environmental Law Institute (pp. 89-92).

Law Reviews

Watnick, V. (2023). Climate Change, Marginalized Communities and Pandemics: A New Paradigm for Transforming Industrial Animal Agriculture Through ESG (No.1). The Environmental Law Review .

Watnick, V. (2022). Proposition 12 and a New Paradigm for Federal Law: Toward More Humane and Ethical Farm Animal Practices in California and the U.S. (No.2). University of Missouri School of Law (symposium issue, invited scholar: "The Future of Food.").

Watnick, V. (2022). "The Roundup Controversy, Glyphosate, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Lessons for Toxics Regulation Going Forward.” New York University Environmental Law Journal NYU Environmental Law Journal.

Watnick, V. J. (2019). “The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act of 2016: Cancer, Industry Pressure, and A Proactive Approach,” Harvard Environmental Law Review. (No.2). Harvard Environmental Law Review .

Watnick, V. J. (2016). "The Business and Ethics of Laying Hens: California's Groundbreaking Law Goes Into Effect on Animal Confinement." Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review (ALSB Distinguished Proceedings Award Winner 2015 Annual Conference) (No.1). Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review.

Watnick, V. (2014). "The Organic Foods Production Act, the Process/Product Distinction, and a Case for More End Product Regulation in the Organic Foods Market," UCLA School of Law Journal of Environmental Law and Policy (No.1). UCLA School of Law Journal of Environmental Law and Policy.

Watnick, V. (2014). "The Missing Link: U.S. Regulation of Consumer Cosmetic Products to Protect Human Health and the Environment," Pace Environmental Law Review. (No.2014). Pace Environmental Law Review .

Watnick, V. (2010). "PCBs in Schools and Corporate Responsibility for Remediation: Yorktown Central School District v. Monsanto Company," University of California, Davis, Environs (No.no. 2). University of California, Davis, Environs.

Watnick, V. (2008). Pesticides and Children: Unwitting Participants in Experimentation,  Cardozo Journal of Law and Gender (symposium issue, invited authors). Cardozo Journal of Law and Gender.

Watnick, V. (2007). Whistleblower Protections Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act: A Primer and a Critique, Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law  (No.5). Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law .

Watnick, V. (2004). The Electronic Formation of Contracts and The Common Law 'Mailbox Rule,' Baylor Law Review. (No.1). Baylor Law Review.

Watnick, V. (2004). Our Toxics Regulatory System and Why Risk Assessment Does Not Work: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals As a Case In Point, Utah Law Review Utah Law Review.

Watnick, V. (2003). Federal Preemption of Tort Claims Under FIFRA: The Erosion of a Defense, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform. (No.2). University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform .

Watnick, V. (1999). Risk Assessment: Obfuscation of Policy Decisions in Pesticide Regulation and the EPD's Dismantling of the Food Quality Protection Act's Safeguards for Children, Arizona State Law Journal. (No.4). Arizona State Law Journal.

Watnick, V. (1996). Who's Minding The Schools: Toward Least Toxic Methods of Pest Control In Our Nation's Schools, Fordham Environmental Law Journal. Fordham Environmental Law Journal .

Media Contributions

Watnick, V. (2010). Interviewed and Quoted by Local newspaper, Brooklyn Rail on PCBs in Schools.

Watnick, V. (2010). WPIX News at Ten, Interviewed about PCBs in Schools, Aired December 2010  .

Watnick, V. (2010). Interviewed by Wall Street Journal about PCBs in Schools.

Presentations

Watnick, V. Combatting the Effects of Animal Farming by Regulating CAFOs Concentrated Animal Farming Operations) to Acheive a More Just Society.. Cross College Interdisciplinary Research Conference. Baruch College: Baruch College: Provost's Office.

Watnick, V. (2024, March 6). "The Legal, Environmental and Ethical Effects of California's New Animal Protection Law," (2022).. The Future of Food, University of Missouri Law School. Missouri: University of Missouri Law School.

Watnick, V. (2024, November 6). Climate Scholar's Didactic Session. Climate Scholars. Zoom: Baruch College.

(2024, November 6). Chancellor's Invited Faculty Panel for New Cuny Business/Economics Panel. Chancellor's Panel for New Faculty. Zoom: Chancellor's office.

Watnick, V. (2021, March 31). Academic Integrity Panel, Alternative Approaches to Student Assessment Online. Center for Teaching and Learning ("CTL") Ethics Week Panel. Baruch College: Baruch College CTL.

Watnick, V. (2021, August 3). Kubasek Award Finalist for Best Paper in Environmental Law and Sustainability. Academy of Legal Studies in Business. Online Conference: ALSB.

Watnick, V. (2020, December 31). Center for Teaching and Learning, Invited, nominated to present on alternative assessments during Covid, “The Collaborative Exam.”. Baruch College Center for Teaching and Learning ("CTL"). : Baruch College.

Watnick, V. (2019, March 31). The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act of 2016: A Proactive Approach (Invited Author). Harvard Law School Author's Reception. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Law School.

Watnick, V. (2018, November 30). Corporate Law Panel. Pre-Law Society Baruch College. New York, NY: Baruch College.

Watnick, V., & Padula, D. (2016, December 31). Published Interview/Talk, Ethical Obligations for Humane Treatment of Laying Hens.. Scholastica Published Interview. Virtual: Scholastica, The Premier Legal Publication Outlet.

Watnick, V., & Lee, M. (2016, March 31). Watnick, V., Lee, Myung-Soo, Chairpersons and Deans Conference, March 2016.. Chairs and Dean's Annual Conference. : University of Kansas.

(2015, August 31). The Business and Ethics of Laying Hens: California's Groundbreaking Law Goes Into Effect.", Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB), Scholarship/Research, National. (August 2015). Honored at Annual Conference with Distinguished Paper Proceedings Award, 2015. Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, Pa.: Academy of Legal Studies in Business.

Watnick, V. (2014, March 27). Success in the Corporate Law Arena. Suits: Real Life. Baruch College: Baruch College Pre-Law Society.

Watnick, V. (2014, February 27). Facilitating Meaningful Classroom Discussion. Faculty Development Workshop. Baruch College: Schwartz Communications Institute.

Watnick, V. (2009, November 30). Presented working paper on Organic Foods Productions Act and the Process/Product Distinction in the Regulation of Organic Food. Department of Law Faculty Scholarship Workshop. New York, NY: Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College.

Watnick, V. (2009, November 30). Presented working paper on Organic Foods Productions Act and the Process/Product Distinction in the Regulation of Organic Food. 2009 Annual Meeting. Miami-South Beach, FL: Southeastern Academy of Legal Studies.

Watnick, V. (2009, November 30). PCBs in School and Corporate Social Responsibility for Remediation. Department of Law Faculty Scholarship Workshop. New York, NY: Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College.

Watnick, V. (2008, May 31). Teaching Less, Better. General Education Conference. New York, NY: Baruch College.

Watnick, V. (2007, November 30). Pesticides and Children: Unwitting Participants in Experimentation. Department of Law Faculty Scholarship Workshop. New York, NY: Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College.

Watnick, V. (2007, February 28). Poverty and Health: Environmental Dangers & Progressive Solutions. Invited Symposium Panelist. : Cardozo Law School.

Watnick, V. (1999, October 31). Academic Integrity Policy. Moderator/Roundtable Discussion. : Bronx Community College.

Watnick, V. (1999, April 30). Academic Integrity Policy. New Faculty Workshop. : Bronx Community College.

Watnick, V. (1997, March 31). Reducing Pesticides in New York City Schools. : Community Board 5.

Watnick, V. (1996, March 31). Sexual Harassment in the University Setting. Women's History Month. : Bronx Community College.

Watnick, V. (1995, October 31). Nuts and Bolts For First Time Home Buyers. Moderator/Real Estate Seminar. : Bronx Community College.

Other Scholarly Works

Watnick, V. (2013). Inside Schools, Guest Blog on PCBs in Schools, September, 2010, January, 2011, November 2011, and May 2013..

Watnick, V. (2008). Risk Assessment: Obfuscation of Policy Decisions in Pesticide Regulation and the EPD's Dismantling of the Food Quality Protection Act's Safeguards for Children (Reprint).

Watnick, V. (2003). Litigation and Federal Preemption of Tort Claims Under FIFRA. 8 pages.

Watnick, V. (1997). Pesticide Use in Schools Linked to Health Problems. pp.9,27.

Research Currently in Progess

Watnick, V.(n.d.). Pesticide Notice Signs, State Laws and Implications for our Toxics Regulatory System. In Progress.

TitleFunding Agency SponsorStart DateEnd DateAwarded DateTotal FundingStatus
Department Chair Research Account Year 1 - Valerie WatnickPSC CUNY02/01/202108/31/202202/01/20211750Completed
Department Chair Research Account Year 2 - Valerie WatnickPSC CUNY09/01/202108/31/202309/01/20213000Completed
Department Chair Research Account Year 4 Valerie WatnickPSC CUNY09/01/202308/31/202508/31/20233000Funded - In Progress
Department Chair Research Account Year 3 - Valerie WatnickPSC CUNY09/01/202208/31/202409/01/20223000Funded - In Progress
Honor / AwardOrganization SponsorDate ReceivedDescription
Zicklin Excellence Award for Innovation and Excellence Zicklin Dean's Office 2022-07-07Winner with co-grant writer and partner Professor Gitter: Teaching Excellence Award for work we did to implement Zicklin's Business Communications Curriculum in Introduction to Business Law, Law 110, and to Create Inclusive, Collaborative Projects and Assessments in the course.
Kubasek Award for Best Paper in Environmental Law and Sustainability FinalistAcademy of Legal Studies in Business2021One of four finalists for Kusbasek Award in Environmental Law and Sustainability. Invited to present paper at International ALSB Annual Conference on Roundup Controversy. Paper accepted for publication in NYU Environmental Law Journal.
Zicklin Summer Research Award Zicklin School of Business2020
Zicklin Summer Research AwardZicklin School of Business2019
"The Environmental Paper Award" NomineeAcademy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Meeting2018One of four nominees for "The Environmental Paper Award" at Annual Conference attended by hundreds of business law professors. Paper to be published in the Harvard Environmental Law Review, Volume 43(2), forthcoming summer 2019.
Distinguished Proceedings Award for "The Business and Ethics of Laying Hens: California's Groundbreaking Law Goes Into Effect."Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB)2015Honored at Annual Conference with Distinguished Paper Proceedings Award, 2015
Honoree, Faculty Recognition CeremonyBaruch College2010Baruch College Faculty Recognition Ceremony
Honoree, Faculty Recognition CeremonyBaruch College2009
Recipient of Summer Research AwardZicklin School of Business2008
Honoree, Faculty Recognition CeremonyBaruch College2008
Recipient of Summer Research AwardZicklin School of Business2007
Honoree, Faculty Recognition CeremonyBaruch College2007
Recipient of Summer Research AwardZicklin School of Business2006
Recipient of Summer Research AwardZicklin School of Business2005
Recipient of Summer Research AwardZicklin School of Business2004
Teaching Excellence AwardZickin School of Business2004
Honoree, Faculty Recognition CeremonyBaruch College2004
Zicklin Fellowship Award in Law (Fall 2000 - Spring 2002)2000
Paralegal Society Award For Dedication to Students Bronx Community College1998
Paralegal Society Award For Meritorious Service (December 1995, 1996, and 1997)Bronx Community College1997
Student Governmental Organization Award of Merit-Annual Awards Dinner Bronx Community College1997

College

Committee NamePosition RoleStart DateEnd Date
Zicklin Personnel and Budget Committee MemberPresent
Department Chairperson and Chair of Dept. Executive CommitteeCommittee ChairPresent
Baruch College Personnel and Budget CommitteeCommittee MemberPresent
Students seeking Graduate ScholarshipAdvisorPresent
Provost's Academic Affairs Diversity Advisory CommitteeCommittee MemberPresent
Committee to Study, revise and improve Fundamentals of Business Law, Law 1101Present
Middle States Steering Committee and Working Group Co-ChairWorking Group Co-chair6/30/2020
Provost's “COACHE Communications Task Force”Committee Member6/30/2020
Zicklin Personnel and Budget Committee Chair12/31/2019
College Personnel and Budget Committee Member6/30/2019
Middle States Committee on Requirements of Affiliation and Steering Committee MemberCommittee Chair5/31/2019
Presidential Taskforce on Reassigned TimeCommittee Member5/31/2019
Three Person Committee to Study Graduate Program Organization Committee Member12/31/2016
Freshmen Text Selection CommitteeCommittee Member4/30/2016
BBA Learning Assurance CommitteeCommittee Member12/31/2014
Committee on Academic Integrity12/31/2012
Executives on Campus ProgramLiaison12/31/2012
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions12/31/2012
Task Force on Sustainability12/31/2012
Graduate Curriculum CommitteeCommittee Member6/30/2012
Undergraduate Curriculum CommitteeCommittee Member6/30/2012
Department Coordinator for Guest Speakers5/31/2012
Department Secretary to Faculty ForumDepartment Secretary for Faculty Forum5/31/2012
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Text RevisionCommittee Member1/31/2012
Executives on Campus ProgramDepartment Liaison 12/31/2011
Search Committee for Counsel to the PresidentCommittee Member4/30/2011
Middle States Working Group on Development and Assessment of Educational ProgramsCo-Chair6/30/2010
The Middle Stated Self-study Steering Committee6/30/2010
Zicklin School of Business Executive CommitteeCommittee Chair6/30/2010
President's Standing Committee on Human Resources Co-Chair1/31/2010
Committee to Study, revise and improve Fundamentals of Business Organization, Law 310212/31/2009
Zicklin School of Business Executive CommitteeCommittee Member6/30/2009
Master Teacher SeriesAttendee10/31/2008
Law 3102 - Fundamentals of Business Law Day ExaminationAuthor12/31/2007
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2007
Law 3102 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2007
Master Teacher SeriesAttendee10/31/2007
Summer Seminar on Teaching and Active Learning 6/30/2007
Master Teacher SeriesAttendee4/30/2007
Faculty SenateSenator4/30/2007
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business LawWorkshop Facilitator12/31/2006
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2006
Commencement Exercises Faculty Marshall12/31/2006
Joint Committee on Course and Teacher Evaluations10/31/2006
Commencement Exercises Faculty Marshall12/31/2005
Law 3102 - Fundamentals of Business Law Day ExaminationAuthor12/31/2005
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2004
College for a DayInstructor12/31/2004
Committee on Educational TechnologySecretary12/31/2004
Law 3102 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2004
Committee on the Library10/31/2004
Subotnick Financial Services CenterLaw Department Representative 5/31/2004
Commencement Exercises Faculty Marshall12/31/2003
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2003
Ethics Across the Curriculum Seminar SeriesParticipant12/31/2003
Committee on the Library12/31/2002
Commencement Exercises Faculty Marshall12/31/2002
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2002
Commencement Exercises Faculty Marshall12/31/2001
Baruch College's Fourth Annual Teaching and Technology ConferenceDepartment Co-Representative12/31/2001
Law 1101 - Fundamentals of Business Law Day ExaminationAuthor12/31/2001
Committee on Educational TechnologySecretary12/31/2001
Law 3102 - Fundamentals of Business Law Evening ExaminationAuthor12/31/2001

University

Committee NamePosition RoleStart DateEnd Date
Beacon Conference, Bronx Community CollegeCoordinator4/1/199910/31/1999
Honors Committee, Bronx Community College10/1/199810/31/1999
Committee on Instruction and Professional Development, Bronx Community College4/1/199810/31/1999
Environmental Task Force, Bronx Community College10/1/199610/31/1999
Paralegal Society, Bronx Community CollegeAdvisor4/1/199610/31/1999
Middle State Subcommittee on Outreach, Bronx Community College4/30/1998

Professional

OrganizationPosition RoleOrganization StateOrganization CountryStart DateEnd DateAudience
Steering Committee, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Committee on PCBs in SchoolsCommittee Member9/1/201012/31/2012

Public

OrganizationPosition RoleOrganization StateOrganization CountryStart DateEnd DateAudience
Participation in Continuing Legal Education, twenty four credit hours every two years1/1/2000Present
Admitted to Practice law in the State of New York1/1/1989Present
Admitted to Practice law in United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York1/1/1989Present
Eleanor Roosevelt High SchoolTask Force Chair9/1/201412/31/2016
Public School 199, Parent Teacher AssociationChairperson9/1/20106/30/2011
Co-President, Public School 199 Parent Teacher Association Co-President of PTA6/1/20086/30/2009
Spring Benefit, Bronx High School ScienceChairperson12/31/2008
Vice President, Public School 199 Parent Teacher AssociationVice President9/1/20066/30/2008
Co-Chair, Spring Benefit, Public School MS 54 Co-Chairperson4/30/2007
P.S. 199 Fall Book Fair and Fundraiser Committee Chair10/31/2006
Co-chair, Spring Benefit, Public School MS 54 Co-Chairperson4/30/2006
Co-chair, Auction Benefit, Public School 199Co-Chairperson4/30/2005
Cornell Lawyers' Reunion Class of 1988Co-Chairperson for Social Events4/30/2003
Russell Gardens Village Association, Silent AuctionCo-ChairpersonNew YorkUnited States4/30/2003Regional
Co-chair, Lakeville Elementary Spring Book Fair Co-Chairperson4/30/2002
Co-chair, Silent Auction, Public School 199Co-Chairperson4/30/2001
Public School 199 Parent Teacher Association Vice President 10/1/20004/30/2001
Public School 199 Public Safety CommitteeCommittee Chair10/1/19984/30/2000
Public School 199 Public Safety CommitteeCommittee Member10/1/19974/30/1998
Community Board 7 Environmental/Uniformed Services CommitteeCommittee Member4/1/19964/30/1998
Community Board 7 Youth Services CommitteeCommittee Member4/1/19964/30/1998
Manhattan Community Board 7Board Member4/1/19964/30/1998
United States of America v. Consolidated Edison Assisted in representation of prosecution witness in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in case against Con Edison for criminal conspiracy in connection with 1989 explosion in Gramercy Park, New York, New York9/30/1994
New York State Bar Association Pro Bono Divorce ProjectVolunteer Attorney1/1/199112/31/1992