Immersive, Eight-Week Online Program Simulates a Big Law Summer Associate Experience and Provides Academic Credits
Three Professional Tracks Available to Students; Assignments Focus on COVID-19 Challenges
New York, NY (May 15, 2020) – This summer, New York Law School (NYLS) and Venable LLP are partnering on an innovative simulation program to provide 120 NYLS students with academic credits and opportunities to work through real-world legal challenges related to COVID-19. The eight-week online program, modeled on a Big Law summer associate experience, begins May 27. The legal knowledge and skills taught in the program will enable students to join lawyers on the frontlines of COVID-19 assistance in fall externships and jobs.
“The pandemic understandably altered summer opportunities for students, many of whom saw summer jobs or externships vanish,” said Anthony W. Crowell, NYLS Dean and President. “Creative minds came together to create a first-rate experience to advance our students’ knowledge, skills, and professional networks and profiles. I’m grateful to our distinguished alumnus, Venable Labor and Employment Practice Group Co-Chair Michael Volpe ’90, for his extraordinary commitment to this program and our students.”
“We are excited to partner with New York Law School on this innovative and unique program that will provide its students with first-hand experience and knowledge related to COVID-19 issues that companies are facing today,” said Michael J. Volpe ’90, Co-Chair of Venable LLP’s Labor and Employment Practice Group.
NYLS faculty, working with Venable partners/senior associates and other law firm and government agency senior practitioners, will oversee intensive simulated legal assignments tied to the impacts of COVID-19 on topics ranging from employment to commercial contracts, data privacy, government emergency powers, public health law, the rights of detainees, and more.
Students will form three “Practice Groups,” dedicated to Corporate Law, Government Affairs and Policy, and Litigation. They will meet for formal classes, conduct “staff meetings” with partners and senior associates (high-level advisors), and create a wide range of real-world deliverables including memos, client letters, motions, corporate transactional documents, legislation, and client presentations. Students will also attend virtual guest lectures, legal technology trainings, and weekly Leadership Development sessions.
Those who complete the program will earn 3 experiential learning credits towards graduation requirements. NYLS is selecting students for the program though a competitive process. All accepted students will have program tuition and fees paid for through a special Donor Scholarship funded by the generosity of alumni sponsors. Learn more.
In addition to Dean Crowell and Michael Volpe, NYLS Professor Howard Meyers; NYLS Associate Dean and General Counsel Matt Gewolb; and Meryl Lieberman ’81, NYLS Trustee and Partner at Traub, Lieberman, Straus & Shrewsberry, are providing program leadership.
The new program supports key goals of NYLS’s 2020 Strategic Plan: Ever Upward, including expanding experiential learning opportunities, providing flexible career development programs, and advancing cutting-edge teaching and learning strategies.