2026 brings an exciting milestone for New York Law School (NYLS)—our 135th anniversary! But before we begin our celebration of 135 years of innovating legal education and leadership, launching impactful legal careers, and expanding access to justice, we’re taking a look back at our most read stories of 2025.
1. Celebrating Individuality: Unique Paths to Law
New York Law School welcomes individuals from all walks of life, bringing their extraordinary talents and perspectives to the School and making our community as diverse as the city itself. See how our unique community demonstrates the ways that the pursuit of a personal passion can inspire a rewarding legal education and a thriving legal career.
2. NYLS Announces 94% Employment Rate for Class of 2024; 90% Employed in Gold Standard Jobs
The Class of 2024 achieved an impressive 94% overall employment rate 10 months after graduation. These graduates are already making an impact in positions in New York and beyond.
3. NYLS’s 2025 Orientation: Building Community and Embracing Civic Leadership
We’re always excited to welcome each new class of 1L students and prepare them for a successful start to their law school journey. Take a look at the highlights from the 2025 orientation.
4. New York Law School Announces New Chair of the Board of Trustees
We’re proud to have John Estes ’95, a Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, as the new New York Law School Board of Trustees Board Chair, succeeding the historic tenure of Arthur N. Abbey ’59, who served as Board Chair for the past 25 years. Read the announcement and hear more about his vision for the future of NYLS.
5. NYLS Teams Shine Across National Competitions
Students in the Moot Court Association (MCA) and Dispute Resolution Team (DRT) excelled in prestigious competitions across the country this year. See the highlights from a few of their impressive victories.
6. Celebrating the Class of 2025 at NYLS’s 133rd Commencement Exercises
With inspiring remarks from alumni Christopher H. Stephens ’84 and Carla B. Freedman ’88 as well as a surprise appearance by Judge Judy Sheindlin ’65, the 133rd Commencement at Lincoln Center was a memorable one.Revisit the celebration of NYLS’s Class of 2025.
7. Professor Kirk Burkhalter ’04 Appointed Dean for Evening Division Engagement
As a 2004 graduate of our Evening Division and longtime faculty member, Professor Kirk Burkhalter is exceptionally and uniquely qualified for this new role. Learn how he’ll develop programs and enhance support for the current students and recent graduates of the NYLS Pro Evening Division.
8. Patent Law Clinic Helps Woman-Owned Start-Up Obtain Patent in Adaptive Fashion
Students in the Patent Law Clinic successfully helped their client patent an adaptive fashion design that enables mobility-challenged women to wear a special type of bra. Read more about how the students’ work with this adaptive fashion entrepreneur.
9. Discover Tribeca While Studying at NYLS
For new and prospective students, we shared some of our favorite spots to visit around the iconic Tribeca neighborhood we call home.
10. New York Law School Selected as the Newest Partner of the Daniel Anderl Scholarship Program
We were honored to become the newest law school to receive a $100,000 gift from The Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project to establish an endowed scholarship in the name of Daniel Anderl. Learn how the scholarship program will support NYLS students who exemplify a commitment to public service and justice, particularly those pursuing careers in privacy and cybersecurity law.
11. Empowering Tomorrow’s Lawyers in the Age of AI: The NYLS Approach
As artificial intelligence brings rapidly-evolving change to the legal profession, discover how NYLS is proactively leading the way through this transformative moment in legal practice, preparing tomorrow’s lawyers to embrace the future thoughtfully and responsibly.
12. NYLS Alumni Appointed Supervising Judges in New York City Courts
Hear about some of the NYLS alumni making an impact in the courts.
13. The Legacy of the NYLS Pro Evening Division
NYLS’s part-time J.D. program has a rich history of enabling working professionals to advance their careers and pursue their dreams. As we turn to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Law School, get a glimpse of the program’s evolution over the years.