As an independent institution, New York Law School benefits from greater flexibility and autonomy that encourages a more approachable educational community that devotes more personal attention to law students.
In the latest issue of preLaw Magazine, an article on stand-alone law schools features a look at NYLS and the advantages that come with being one of 16 independent law schools in the country. As Dean Anthony W. Crowell notes in the article, “Stand-alone law schools have the ability to respond to community needs without becoming mired in university politics,” which enables the School “to innovate at a more rapid pace based on our priorities.” The article also highlights NYLS’s role in the creation of the National Association of Standalone Graduate Schools, a first-of-its-kind coalition, launched in June 2021, that offers a collective voice and platform for independent graduate institutions while serving as a source of innovative partnerships and strategies.
Nationally-Ranked Academic Programs
With the independence to provide law students with an innovative education, NYLS continues to offer exceptional experiential learning opportunities and expand our nationally-ranked programs. In the latest issue of preLaw magazine, the School also earned “A” grades in Business Law and Criminal Law, and an “A-” grade in Tax Law.
Business Law
Recognizing NYLS as a business law leader, preLaw Magazine highlighted two new Institutes— James Tricarico Jr. Institute for the Business of Law and In-House Counsel and the Ronald H. Filler Institute for Financial Services Law—that provide opportunities in in-house counsel and financial services law education for law students and practitioners through NYLS’s Center for Business and Financial Law. The Tricarico Institute provides best-in-class business, legal, and technology skills training to current and aspiring in-house counsel, including a “Mini M.B.A.” intensive for practicing lawyers and students and programming that seeks to advance greater diversity in in-house counsel roles. The Filler Institute offers cutting-edge educational programming, CLE panels, and speaker forums that respond to emerging challenges in securities, derivatives, banking, and insurance laws and regulations. Both Institutes enhance the School’s long and exceptional record of launching graduates into careers at the world’s leading businesses, financial institutions, law firms, and regulatory agencies.
Criminal Law
NYLS has a robust criminal law program with notable experiential learning opportunities to help law students sharpen their practical legal skills. Students work directly with police officers, victims, and witnesses to prosecute misdemeanor cases through the School’s two Criminal Prosecution Clinics, which partner with the Manhattan and Brooklyn District Attorney’s Offices. Students can also work with The Legal Aid Society to represent low-income defendants in misdemeanor cases from arraignment through trial in the Criminal Defense Clinic. This year, NYLS launched the Criminal Justice Institute and the 21st Century Policing Project (P21), which work to address the defining challenges of our current systems and to prepare law students to lead on issues of policing and criminal justice.
Tax Law
NYLS offers cutting-edge tax courses and events through its Graduate Tax Program, preparing our students and alumni to make a difference as the nation prioritizes pandemic recovery, job innovation and creation, and protecting the most vulnerable—all of which are linked to tax.
The School’s LL.M. in Taxation has been ranked No. 1 by New York Law Journal readers for 12 years in a row. The Graduate Tax Program hosts a day-long workshop on professional responsibility in tax practice each spring and offers additional tax CLEs throughout the year.