Robert E. Diaz joined BCC as Interim Executive Counsel to the President and Labor Designee in January, 2025. Coming out of retirement to take on the role, Diaz’s depth of experience includes serving as Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs and Faculty and Staff Relations at the Borough of Manhattan Community College of CUNY from 2001-2020 and, prior to that, as Vice President for Legal and Fiscal Affairs at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 

Diaz’s background has focused on serving as an advisor to college presidents and overseeing college personnel and fiscal operations, including negotiating and monitoring contracts and agreements with governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations. Diaz also has served as General Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs of CUNY and worked for the New York State Education Department as its Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs.  

Born in New York City, Diaz attended public schools in the Bronx and received a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Brooklyn College as well as a Juris Doctorate degree from New York University. He is admitted to the bar in the State of New York and in the New York Eastern and Southern Districts of the United States federal courts.