Experiential Legal Training

Provides financial aid to the majority of first-year students based on need, merit, or eligibility, including conditional merit scholarships; reported that 61 of 365 entering students in 2022–2023 had their scholarships reduced or eliminated.

Conducts legal advocacy and scholarship proposing tort or criminal liability for stealth condom removal and unauthorized use of semen in reproductive procedures, such as gamete misuse during IVF, to address gaps in reproductive rights protections.

Enhances faculty strength by appointing new legal scholars and creating endowed positions; welcomed three new faculty members and established seven new endowed professorships and chairs, appointing 17 faculty to named positions.

Provides publicly available consumer information on employment outcomes, bar passage rates, class demographics, curricular offerings, and scholarship retention in compliance with ABA Standard 509.

Produces nationally recognized legal scholarship, with faculty ranked #4 in citations among recent legal scholars and #8 in number of faculty included in the Top 100 Legal Scholars of 2025. The school ranks #29 in the 2024 Scholarly Impact Ranking based on citation impact.

Provides hands-on legal training through student-run clinics and pro bono projects, where students deliver legal services to clients in partnership with organizations such as The Legal Aid Society, Youth Represent, NYC Department of Social Services, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Students contributed over 77,000 hours of pro bono work, including nine Pro Bono Scholars completing full-time service.

Prepares students for legal licensure with strong outcomes, including an 88% first-time pass rate on the February 2026 New York State Bar Examination, outperforming the statewide average by 10 percentage points.

Offers a comprehensive academic program leading to the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, designed to prepare students for careers in public service, private practice, and business. The program includes flexible degree options such as a traditional 3-year J.D. and a part-time 4-year J.D., and supports international students through coordinated global programs.

Places 90.7% of graduates in full-time, long-term legal jobs within 10 months of graduation; Class of 2025 graduates secured positions at 140 different law firms and ranked No. 42 nationally for placement into large law firms.

Enrolls a diverse student body, including first-generation professionals, immigrants, and military veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program. The 2024 entering class included students from 32 U.S. states and territories, 8 foreign countries, and 163 undergraduate institutions, with 38% identifying as students of color.

Provides annual grants and awards two scholarships to support law students and participants in the organization's mock trial program.

Hosts public legal education seminars on topics such as estate planning, with recorded sessions available online; operates an annual free legal clinic in honor of Law Day offering short legal consultations to community members; provides volunteer attorneys to speak in classrooms and civic organizations to enhance public understanding of the law.

Hosts monthly luncheons from September through March, an Annual Dinner in May, and other networking events throughout the year to support professional growth and collegiality among legal professionals.

Provides advertising space in its quarterly newsletter and on its website for businesses, services, events, and professional opportunities; offers annual advertising packages including placement in all four issues and a 12-month website listing; provides classified ads for employment and office space, free for members (one per issue) and $25 per issue for non-members.

Connects individuals with attorneys based on their legal needs; receives over 3,000 calls annually and provides guidance by directing callers to appropriate legal resources or contacts.

Produces and distributes a quarterly publication titled "The Advocate" in PDF format to provide resources and information to the legal community; also makes content available online.

Offers accredited CLE courses on various topics throughout the year at reduced cost for members; hosts in-person CLE events, produces and owns CLE materials, and provides financial aid and fee waivers for solo practitioners and unemployed attorneys based on income level.

Sponsors an annual mock trial competition for high school students in Dutchess County to promote legal education and engagement among youth.