This August, New York Law School (NYLS) opened its doors to the Classes of 2027 and 2028 with a dynamic and comprehensive orientation designed to welcome, inspire, and prepare the newest members of the NYLS community. With 391 students—351 in the Day Division and 40 in the NYLS Pro Evening Division—this year’s incoming class represents a diverse tapestry of backgrounds and life experiences.
Incoming 1Ls hail from 28 states and five countries, including Barbados, Canada, China, and South Korea. 61 percent of new students identify as female, 37 percent as racially and/or ethnically diverse, and 17 percent as LGBTQ+. 25 percent of incoming students are the first in their families to attend college, and a majority (83 percent) are the first to attend law school.* This year’s incoming class is also the highest-credentialed 1L group in NYLS’s history.
The Classes of 2027 and 2028 also bring a wealth of experience, from working in law firms to competing as varsity athletes nationwide. Among them are multiple individuals with advanced degrees, several pastors, a benefits advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor, and a legislative director for a New York State Senator.
Orientation week kicked off with a warm welcome from Anthony W. Crowell, Dean and President of NYLS, and Ella Mae S. Estrada, Associate Dean and Vice President for Enrollment Management, Student Financial Services, and Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
“This year’s incoming class brings an exceptional mix of talent, diversity, and energy to our community,” says Dean Crowell. “They’ve already shown a remarkable ability to connect and support one another, and I’m eager to see them thrive within the NYLS family.”
This year’s orientation featured a mix of thoughtfully crafted academic and social events, including sessions on professional development led by Erin Felker Bond ’08, Associate Dean for Academic Planning and Career Development, and Matt Gewolb, Sr. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Institutional Strategy. By facilitating these workshops at orientation, the Office of Academic Planning and Career Development familiarizes new students with the comprehensive resources and support available to them throughout their time at NYLS and beyond. Thanks to the Office’s dedicated efforts, NYLS achieved a record overall employment rate of 95 percent for the Class of 2023, with 91 percent of graduates holding “gold standard” bar-required or J.D.-advantage positions.
Additionally, orientation programming included Foundations for the Study of Law (FSL) courses taught by various NYLS faculty. FSL introduces students to the processes of creating, interpreting, and applying laws, while helping them develop the study habits and skills essential for success in law school. Throughout the week, incoming 1Ls attended multiple FSL sessions, providing ample opportunities to connect with faculty, student organization leaders, and NYLS’s Student Ambassadors.
Later in the week, new students attended a panel on health, wellness, and mindfulness for law students, moderated by Professor Lynn Boepple Su, Dean for Advocacy and Co-Curricular Programs. The panel featured members of the student-run Organization for Healthy Minds, who offered incoming students 1L-year advice and insights on finding joy in the law school experience.
Among the wide-ranging list of programs was the interactive Foundations for Civic Leadership seminar, led by Dean Crowell along with Dean of Faculty William P. LaPiana. The seminar engages students in considering the intersections of law and civic engagement while emphasizing the importance of a strong civics education for law students to understand a lawyer’s role in upholding democracy.
Midway through orientation week was Community Days, a signature NYLS program that delves into the intersection of law, race, and society. The program was spearheaded by Professor Kirk D. Burkhalter ’04, Director of the 21st Century Policing Project; Professor Ann F. Thomas, Otto L. Walter Distinguished Professor of Tax Law and Director of the Graduate Tax Program; Professor Su; and Paulina Davis, Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The day’s events included a panel discussion on practicing law in a multicultural society with distinguished NYLS alumni—two of whom were Professor Burkhalter’s former classmates. The panelists took a moment to emphasize the strong bond that connects the NYLS community, with Professor Burkhalter telling students, “One day, your classmates will be introducing you.”
Incoming 1Ls in the NYLS Pro program met additional members of the alumni community during the NYLS Pro Student and Alumni Panel, where current and former students of the program shared their unique experiences as working professionals attending law school part-time. Their stories highlighted the flexibility and support that NYLS offers to students balancing their studies with professional and personal commitments.
Orientation concluded on a high note, as the incoming class gathered to toast the start of their legal journey. NYLS faculty and upper-level students also joined the celebration, embodying the vibrant and supportive community that the Classes of 2027 and 2028 have now officially joined.
*Incoming class statistics updated as of August 26, 2024.
View photos from NYLS’s 2024 Orientation.
See photo booth pictures.
