For 135 years, New York Law School (NYLS) has been proud to provide an extraordinary legal education to future lawyers who go on to make an impact in society by advancing justice, building the economy, and serving the needs of the community.
As we’ve shaped an innovative educational experience for our students, we’re proud to be consistently named among the “Top Schools” in preLaw magazine among other recognitions for the outstanding opportunities and support we offer.
Leadership in Legal Education
Leading the charge to adapt to changes in the legal profession and embrace new educational ideas that prepare students for practice, NYLS Dean and President Anthony W. Crowell was named #7 on The National Jurist and preLaw’s list of the 25 Most Influential People in Legal Education.
As one of the longest-serving law deans in the country and the longest-serving in New York State, he has made access, innovation, and civic leadership central to our mission. His leadership continues to shape legal education and civic engagement across New York and beyond.
One of the Best Law School Buildings
New York Law School has been an integral part of our vibrant Tribeca neighborhood since the School’s founding in 1891. The iconic, state-of-the-art Abbey Hall, NYLS’s main academic building, was designed to maximize student learning and collaboration, and our prime location in Lower Manhattan is only steps from the courts, government agencies, Wall Street businesses, law firms, tech companies, and many notable cultural sites.
As preLaw noted in their recent magazine, law school facilities aren’t only defined by how they look but by how well they support the way students learn, work, and live. We’re proud to meet and exceed that criteria to be named among the magazine’s best law school buildings. See campus for yourself with a special virtual tour, or join us in person to take a look around.
Employment Success for Graduates
Thanks to the best-in-class programs and services offered by NYLS’s Office of Academic Planning and Career Development, our Class of 2025 graduates successfully launched their legal careers across the public and private sectors in a variety of practices. The Class of 2025 graduates achieved a 91% overall employment rate, with 85% of the class in jobs considered “gold standard” bar-required or J.D.-advantage positions.
Over the past decade, we’ve had great success teaching students how to navigate a fast-changing profession, creating unique opportunities for practical experiences, and enhancing our unique continuum of wraparound student-centered programs including comprehensive career services. We’re pleased these efforts have been recognized on preLaw’s list of most improved law schools for employment.
Standout Academic Programs
In previous preLaw issues, we were proud to be recognized by preLaw as a “Top School” in Family Law (A+), Business Law (A), Criminal Law (A), Human Rights Law (A), and Technology Law (A-). With the most recent preLaw issues, we’re delighted to be recognized in a number of additional academic specialty categories.
Government Law (A+)
Because of our prime location in the heart of New York City’s government centers, partnerships with key public policy institutions, and exceptionally strong, longstanding connections to leaders in City and State government, it’s no wonder the School is a recognized leader in government law. Our educational offerings uniquely position us to give students access to and opportunities in local, state, and federal service.
NYLS’s Center for New York City and State Law is a community of law and policy experts with a focus on creating an open window into New York City and State government. The Center hosts a variety of programming and events featuring state and local government officials, lawyers, advocates, and other experts discussing high-profile and timely government and public policy issues, such as the annual Constitution and Citizenship Day Summit, which offers a strategic forum to examine democratic principles, the rule of law, and the role of civic knowledge in shaping the nation’s future. NYLS students can affiliate with the Center to gain hands-on experience, build their leadership skills, and develop professional networks within City and State government. Students can also choose from a broad array of available courses, including State and Local Government Law, State and Local Tax Law, Land Use Law, Policing the Police, Legal Journalism: Reporting the City, Elections Redistricting and Voting Rights. They gain practical experience and professional contacts through specialized externships such as our Gotham Honors Externship, Washington, D.C. Honors Externship, and externships in Labor and Employment Law and Tort Law with the New York City Law Department. Students seeking public interest-focused academic and career advising also benefit from the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono Initiatives.
Intellectual Property Law (A)
NYLS stands out in the area of intellectual property (IP) law, offering a rigorous and forward-thinking program that prepares students to handle the demands of this practice area with innovation and creativity. Our Innovation Center for Law and Technology provides law students with a cutting-edge approach to education and skills training in intellectual property and other intersections of law and technology. Students can gain a deeper understanding of the practice through foundational and specialized courses, including Intellectual Property, Patent Law, and Intellectual Property Licensing and Drafting. They also get practical training in the practice of IP law from a range of clinics, externships, and other experiential learning opportunities that engage them in real-world issues such as helping inventors protect breakthrough innovations that address water insecurity. These programs and hands-on experiences prepare students to successfully launch a career in practices such as IP law .
Real Estate (A)
The Center for Real Estate Studies (CRES) leads NYLS’s academic programs in real estate law. CRES offers a broad selection of courses, advanced seminars, independent study projects, and externships in governmental offices and real estate firms. The Center’s programming reflects current concerns about ensuring environmental sustainability, creating affordable housing, preserving historical landmarks, safeguarding the financial stability of the residential and commercial mortgage markets, and assessing public costs and social justice issues arising from development. Law students affiliating with CRES gain extensive practical experience and build a professional network for future employment in real estate.
Social Justice (A)
NYLS is proud to be recognized among preLaw’s top schools for social justice. Our Wilf Impact Center for Public Interest Law offers a broad array of nationally-recognized programming, coursework, public policy and advocacy initiatives, and clinics that promote the practice of and expand the role of public interest law while providing law students opportunities to advance social justice. Many of NYLS clinics and simulation courses also focus on social justice, and our students have the opportunity to gain critical education about the myriad ways that they can become agents for change and justice. Among these offerings, Wilf Impact Public Interest Scholars and Postgraduate Fellows can also concentrate their work in social justice. Wilf Scholars and Fellows work closely with faculty leaders on the front lines of our nation’s most important civil rights challenges and collaborate with external social justice organizations which operate in partnership with NYLS.
Trial Advocacy (A-)
NYLS’s trial advocacy programs are designed to enhance students’ lawyering skills in specialized areas. The Harris Keenan & Goldfarb Advocacy Program provides students with opportunities to compete in interscholastic competitions and work with expert faculty and practitioners to develop skills needed to excel in the courtroom and negotiations. Students can enroll in multiple lawyering skills courses that provide focused study and practical training for motion argument, hearings, trials, administrative proceedings and arbitration. In addition, our invitation-only Trial Competition Team offers students an introduction to case theory, storytelling, and witness examination, and enables them to compete in competitions across the country.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (B+)
NYLS’s recognition in ADR reflects the School’s commitment to training future lawyers in innovative methods of resolving legal conflicts outside the traditional courtroom setting. Our ADR Skills Program provides students with the necessary skills to navigate and excel in this evolving practice area, empowering them to become effective negotiators and problem-solvers. Students can advance their study in areas of conflict avoidance, management, and resolution and develop practical skills through courses and externship opportunities. NYLS also excels in moot court and mediation competitions. Our law students have numerous opportunities to compete nationally and internationally in moot court and mediation competitions and have achieved impressive wins in recent competitions.