Monrad G. Paulsen was the founding dean of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, serving from its opening in 1976 until his death in 1980. A distinguished legal scholar and educator, he helped shape the school’s early academic mission and identity. During his legal career, Paulsen made significant contributions to the fields of family law, criminal law, conflict of laws, and poverty law. He was known for his immense spirit and engaging personality, which endeared him to students and colleagues alike.