Career and School Info for Lawyers in New York



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Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:

Schools Concentrating On Lawyers

  • Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Albany Law, Touro College, St. John's University-New York, and NYU.

Fastest Response From Schools

  • Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.

Student Body

  • Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Touro College, Columbia, Pace University-New York, and Fordham.
  • Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Long Island University Post, Columbia, Pace University-New York, and NYU.
  • Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Long Island University Post.

School Setting

  • Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Columbia, NYU, Cornell, and Yeshiva University.
  • Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of New York Law School, Yeshiva University, Syracuse University, and Cornell.

Excellence

  • SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Columbia, Cornell, NYU, and Fordham.
  • % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Columbia, Cornell, NYU, and St. John's University-New York.
  • Class Size: For small class sizes, look at New York Law School, Yeshiva University, Cornell, and Columbia.

 


Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State

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NYU School Of Law • New York, NY
Studying Law (completion in 2011)

9/16/2011

"NYU was an absolute blast. They were very helpful in getting me my job, they provided me with a lot of new friends, and are located in the heart of NYC."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesWhile all law schools have been having trouble with recent graduates finding jobs, most students in my class at NYU have been able to find something. You receive a superior academic experience, and it has a sterling reputation in the legal community.
Program Reputation10NYU is considered one of the best law schools in the country. In the area I'm interested in, public international law, many people believe that it is the best.
Program Quality9The law school was instrumental in helping me to get my job. Employers from around the country come to our on campus interview fair every year to hire 2nd year law students, and that's where I got my job.
Instruction8Every professor at NYU is a leader in their field. However, some of them are not necessarily the best instructors, though they are serious academics.
How Difficult8The workload was quite difficult, especially in the first semester. Typically the first semester is the most difficult because that's when you learn how to "think like a lawyer." After that it remained difficult, but you got the hang of things much more easily.
Hands-On vs. BookishAlmost by definition the law is book learning. There are some opportunities to get practical learning through clinics or other student groups, but in class, you're virtually always learning through the analysis of case law.
Schedule Flexibility8NYU is only a full-time school. There are no real part time, or online classes. You might take a class or two in the evening, because the adjunct teacher works during the day, but that's about it.
Academic Facilities8Most professors clearly state when they are available and stick to it. Our library was a place I spent a lot of time, and most of the time it was a fine place to work on an outline for 10 hours at a time. Most of the classrooms in the newer building are great, while most of the classrooms in the older one could use a little renovation.
Social Life7NYU in general is not much of an athletic school. We organize a trip to the major law school softball tournament in Virginia each year, but we don't train or do well. The school spirit mostly comes in the form of making lots of close friends among your classmates with whom you spend most of our time.
Placement Services10NYU was great in arranging the on-campus interviews, and provided useful advice in who to target in line with your grades and good interview tips. However, for people who are more public interest-oriented, there was a massive public interest career fair that was even better. No other school I know of has a public interest career fair as big as ours.
Alumni Network8I can't really give a good answer to this question, because I'm only recently out of school. I don't yet have enough experience with the alumni network to give a full answer.

Hofstra University School Of Law • Hempstead, NY
Studying J.D. (completion in 2008)

10/13/2011

"Having gone to a New York law school makes me better in business. This school made me more competitive."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesIt is a great school in a great location. The coursework and students are both challenging and competitive
Program Reputation5It is ranked at the bottom of the second tier. This is mostly due to the short history of the law school, 40 years.
Program Quality9The professors were at the top of their fields. The school offered a wide array of practical courses and clinical work.
Instruction5The program was rigorous and good for creating discipline. It was poor in preparing students for the bar exam.
How Difficult9The coursework consisted of a tremendous amount of reading. Being able to analyze a mountain of case law and find the nugget of information that you needed was very challenging.
Hands-On vs. BookishMost of the law school coursework was book-oriented, insofar as the curriculum was meant to train the brain. However, there was always the opportunity for hands-on work via the law school's clinical programs.
Schedule Flexibility9At the time I was enrolled, the school offered an evening program. This allowed for the addition of courses taught by practicing attorneys after their workdays had ended.
Academic Facilities8The accessibility of professors was mixed. The library and classroom space were more than ample.
Social Life2The school environment was one of competition, not cooperation. I also commuted to Manhattan, which limited my time for socializing with classmates.
Placement Services1I was looking for jobs outside of the New York Metropolitan area. The career office was unable to connect me with alumni or employers offering jobs in California.
Alumni Network7They really try to reach out to alumni in large cities with law school mixers. The law school is primarily know, however, in the New York Metropolitan area.

New York University • New York City, NY
Studying Law (completion in 2010)

10/26/2011

"NYU Law is an amazing school. It has great teachers, brilliant students, and a great reputation."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesIt is in the top 5 law schools. It is a great law school.
Program Reputation10NYU is ranked in the top 5 law schools in US News and World Report. It is one of the most prestigious as well.
Program Quality10NYU is one of the best law schools in the country. The teachers were excellent.
Instruction10The substantive courses were comprehensive and thought provoking. The clinical program I took provided me with detailed real-world experience in litigating.
How Difficult9NYU is a highly competitive program with students who have exceptional undergraduate grades and test scores. Professors also expected a high level of competence from these students.
Hands-On vs. BookishNYU has great academic courses. It also has a world-class clinical program.
Schedule Flexibility8The schedule is fairly flexible. I was generally able to take the classes I wanted.
Academic Facilities10The library and resources are great. Everything is nice.
Social Life6As a transfer student, I did not take part in many of the organized social activities at the school. However, everyone seemed to be having a good time (for a law school).
Placement Services8It has a very good career services department. However, 2010 was a difficult year for all law students, and I personally did not utilize the career services department as much as I should have.
Alumni Network7I have not used the school's alumni network. I therefore cannot assess it. It has a good reputation, however.

NYU School Of Law • New York City, NY
Studying JD (completion in 1998)

12/2/2011

"Met a broad range of people from around the world at NYU. Learned a lot about the law. Don't have any complaints about the program."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesIt's a top-5-rated law school, so it has a great reputation. Also, you can't beat the location in NYC in terms of access to job markets, the world of finance and international business. It's not a cutthroat environment, so it will make law school a great experience.
Program Reputation8I studied commercial law, and being in NYC provides great access to both the UN and Wall Street. They have a highly rated faculty, which helps its reputation.
Program Quality7Provided great commercial law training. Faculty was excellent in providing real-world examples.
Instruction9Faculty was topnotch. Studying for a law degree is always theoretical at some level, but most faculty had real-world experience.
How Difficult7The workload was challenging during the first year, but it got more manageable during the last two years. The atmosphere was not cutthroat; it was pretty collaborative, which made the experience possible to endure.
Hands-On vs. BookishBest of both worlds. Had a topnotch faculty, but also great off-campus resources for clinics.
Schedule Flexibility5This was a full-time JD program, so class schedules are not geared towards part-time JD students. As such, there is not a whole lot of flexibility in scheduling.
Academic Facilities10Professors were always accessible, and there were plenty of media resources at hand. Also, study groups were highly encouraged. Given the school's location in NYC, there was a surprising amount of classroom space.
Social Life5It was a law school, so it was not really geared towards socializing. However, they did have some good charitable events, as well as various law societies allowing you to meet law students from other sections.
Placement Services10Very supportive, and they want to make sure 100% of graduates have jobs upon graduation. Very active at making sure law firms get on campus to recruit.
Alumni Network6I am currently in California, where there are not a lot of NYU alumni. However, the alumni office does try to keep us apprised of what is happening at the school level.

Syracuse University College Of Law • Syracuse, NY
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 2010)

12/14/2011

"Good school. Good program. I learned a lot."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesA little isolated but it helps to have no distractions while going through law school. Big time commitment. Program faculty were great.
Program Reputation8Great program. Great reputation within the university.
Program Quality8Not great job prospects upon graduation, but provided a good education and faculty.
Instruction9I learned a lot; great faculty. Great curriculum.
How Difficult8Very challenging. Large work loads. Large time commitment.
Hands-On vs. BookishThere are not many hands-on opportunities for folks without a law degree, but they did what they could to provide them.
Schedule Flexibility3Classes were scheduled during the day and during evenings - not much flexibility. Some summer classes were offered, but no online courses.
Academic Facilities8Great facilities and resources. Best on campus out of all other programs. Great library and classroom space, etc.
Social Life3Some social events were available, but I did not have enough time to enjoy them due to the time commitment of the program. Most athletic events and parties were geared towards underclassmen.
Placement Services6Some good networking opportunities, but not enough. Overall, no great job placement program.
Alumni Network6Not much outreach or support. Not very involved.

New York University • New York, NY
Studying International Legal Studies LLM (completion in 2010)

12/30/2011

"I am extremely satisfied with my experience at NYU. I think the opportunity to gain exposure to so many world-renowned scholars alone was worth the experience."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesNYU's LLM program is exceptional. The school's reputation and the quality of the professors justify the recommendation.
Program Reputation10NYU and Columbia usually fight for the top spot in the rankings of LLMs in international law/legal studies. The reputation is impeccable.
Program Quality10NYU's program in International Legal Studies is exceptional. The variety of coursework and the quality of the professors made it well worth the investment.
Instruction10Several of the professors had actually written the texts for the courses, allowing them to create a truly integrated approach. Also, the professors had a breadth of their own scholarship they could bring to bear for purposes of instruction.
How Difficult9Like any law school coursework, there was a great deal of material to dissect in a relatively short amount of time. The work was certainly manageable, but it was not easy.
Hands-On vs. BookishThere are certainly clinics and other hands-on learning opportunities available. However, at the end of the day, book learning is an integral part of the program. Traditional coursework demands a great deal of bookwork.
Schedule Flexibility5I pursued the full-time program, so I can't speak to the flexibility offered by the part-time program. I know there was a part-time program available, but I don't know about the course offerings. I took a couple of evening classes I was pleased with.
Academic Facilities10The facilities available are lovely. The law library is wonderful, and Bobst Library is expansive (although it has a history of suicides). The resources available were extensive.
Social Life5NYU is in New York City. I know there were planned events, and I certainly participated in a few. Still, in the city, there is so much to do that it is difficult to compete in the social arena.
Placement Services5I was expecting more in terms of career services. There was no resume book for my particular major, and I found that disappointing.
Alumni Network7I have not had much occasion to call upon the alumni network yet. I do appreciate the continued support of career services.

Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law • New York, NY
Studying Law (completion in 2011)

12/27/2011

"Cardozo quickly felt like home. I received a first-rate education from legal experts of the highest caliber in a warm and inviting environment. I have no regrets and I am proud to be an alumnus of Cardozo School of Law."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesYes, but with reservations. I would highly recommend Cardozo School of Law to anyone seeking a law degree, but I would emphasize that law school is not for the faint of heart. It is incredibly challenging, very expensive, and the rewards will take decades to fully realize. One should not jump into law school lightly, but once the decision to go has been made, Cardozo is an ideal place to begin that journey.
Program Reputation8For the first time in Cardozo School of Law's history, US News & World Report ranked the school as within the top 50, the first tier of law schools nationally. The school's rank and reputation have continued to steadily climb over the last few years and are expected to continue. However, as the school has only been in existence for about 30 years, the reputation will require many more years to build beyond the NY-DC corridor.
Program Quality10Cardozo School of Law has an excellent program and provided a first-rate education. I was not familiar with the law school prior to preparing to attend law school, but it has vastly exceeded my expectations. The opportunities for learning, the quality and accessibility of professors, and the caliber of students left almost nothing to be desired. I definitely made the right choice in attending Cardozo School of Law.
Instruction9Almost all law schools in the top tier draw their faculty from a small number of the very best law schools. Cardozo was no exception. The faculty was well authored, with Supreme Court clerkships aplenty and no lack of teaching capacity. I learned far more than many peers at similarly ranked law schools and had a wide variety of paths in which to pursue my study of the law.
How Difficult9The workload was, at times, crippling. Law school is an incredibly challenging and painful process, and the best schools demand the highest performance. I have never worked so hard, nor learned so much so quickly, in my life.
Hands-On vs. BookishMost law schools emphasize book learning to the exclusion of all else. Contrarily, Cardozo had an extensive clinical program to provide real-world legal experience to students. I took advantage of the opportunity and found it to be invaluable.
Schedule Flexibility6While classes are not offered as a part-time or night program, Cardozo does offer a May and January starting session, which provides significantly more flexibility than most other law schools. These programs permit students to begin the study of law at more convenient points in the year, as well as stretching out the rigorous first year of law school into three semesters if desired.
Academic Facilities7Accessibility of professors was excellent. Tutoring was limited. The library was first rate. Computer facilities were adequate, but increasingly unimportant, as each student owned a laptop. There were sufficient spaces and hours for private and group study. Overall, above average.
Social Life5Law school is an inherently solitary experience, and Cardozo School of Law was no exception. There were some social events and numerous legal and pro bono clubs, but almost no parties, and no athletics. This matched well with the goals and desires of the student body.
Placement Services5It is difficult to rate the career services department in a time of such economic uncertainty and upheaval in the legal markets. While the school clearly bends over backwards to find jobs and assist with the job search, the overall economy makes that task challenging. It is difficult to separate the quality of career services from external factors. An 'A' for effort, a 'C' for success.
Alumni Network6Cardozo School of Law is only about 30 years old. As such, it has a small, but dedicated alumni network. The alumni are always eager to help extend the Cardozo brand, but the short history of the institution can hamper the reach and benefit of the alumni network. The school has made a significant effort to extend and improve in this arena, but only time can remedy this problem.

Columbia Law School • New York, NY
Studying Law (completion in 2000)

2/1/2012

"As I said, if I had to do it all over again, I would still pick CLS. The experience, network, and faculty are, in my opinion, the best."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesI would recommend it for all the reasons I have given.
Program Reputation10CLS still ranks as one of the best law schools in the nation.
Program Quality10CLS is one of the best law schools in the nation. It prepared me academically, if not practically. Even in that sense, there were opportunities for practical experience if you were interested. If I had to do it all over (and had my pick of schools), I would pick CLS again.
Instruction10Again, CLS is one of the best law schools in the nation. The faculty is top-notch, the electives are numerous, and there are many attorneys from "the real world" that teach seminars.
How Difficult8Brilliant, competitive people attend CLS. For that reason, the course of study was rigorous because you are graded on a curve. And the faculty rises to the challenge to challenge the students.
Hands-On vs. BookishThere are many elective options, including clinics and court externships, which provide hands-on learning. There are of course a large number of traditional offerings.
Schedule Flexibility1There are no weekend, evening, or summer options offered.
Academic Facilities10CLS is well-endowed. Our classrooms were wired for internet access well before it was common to do so. The library is expansive and the lending network is vast.
Social Life10The social aspect was surprisingly robust. Many people participated in clubs such as Devinimus and Law Revue. There were many, many other clubs and, of course, tons of parties - including Barrister's Ball.
Placement Services8When I came out of law school, it was very very easy to get a job. I don't know how it is now or how helpful career services is.
Alumni Network6We have a lot of emails and events. There is also a web page for alumni.

St. John's School Of Law • Jamaica, NY
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 2007)

2/23/2012

"It was a good education, but shortly after I graduated the financial crisis affected the legal market. Since then, the law school's career development office has helped me with job placement and provided me with leads."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesI would recommend it to anyone who is interested in practicing law in New York. However, if your intention is to practice law elsewhere, I would suggest matriculating to a law school closer to where you intend to practice (unless you get admitted to a nationally recognized law school like Columbia or Stanford, etc.). Law schools that are local to a region will teach to the region's state bar exam.
Program Reputation8Although my law school is not in the top 20, it is a regional power in the greater New York area, and many firms that are local to the region will hire from it.
Program Quality8I liked my classes, and they helped me pass the bar exam. However, I think more could have been done in terms of creating networking opportunities for students.
Instruction10The Professors were very knowledgeable. I learned a tremendous amount of information in three years.
How Difficult8I would say that it would be more challenging than a typical MBA program but not quite as challenging as an Medical School program. What makes it challenging is that for most courses there is only one exam that determines your entire grade. For this reason, there is a lot of pressure placed on students during finals.
Hands-On vs. BookishMy learning was mostly book learning. However, looking back, that was mainly because I didn't take any of the clinics that were offered and focused mainly on taking seminars instead.
Schedule Flexibility8It is possible to take all of your courses in the evening, even if you are a day student, because of the evening program. There were also courses offered on the weekend.
Academic Facilities8The school's facilities were good but not great because the law school only occupied a single building. It would be nice if some classes were held at the Manhattan campus.
Social Life7I was a representative of the student bar association and a member of a law journal, but unfortunately people did tend to get competitive, even at social events.
Placement Services10Career services has helped me immeasurably this year. I've met with a career advisor on several occasions.
Alumni Network8I think the law school has a good alumni network but it could be much better. There should be more free events for alumni to meet and discuss their activities.

Cornell Law School • Ithaca, NY
Studying JD/Law (completion in 2009)

3/3/2012

"Most important for me were job opportunities. Those have been plentiful, even in a bad economy. Therefore, I have been very satisfied."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesYou cannot go wrong attending an Ivy League law school. I would highly recommend Cornell Law School.
Program Reputation10Cornell is top-14 in US News rankings for law schools. It is highly rated in all trade publications.
Program Quality9Cornell Law School offered me great job opportunities based on its reputation. It is very expensive for what it is, though. But, generally, I am very happy with the school and the opportunities it has given me.
Instruction10Professors are top notch across the board. Classes were small. Subject matter was broad and the depth of instruction was fantastic.
How Difficult9Law school is very tough. It is lot of work. Classes are all curved and very competitive. There are lots of "gunners" (those that will do whatever it takes to get ahead).
Hands-On vs. BookishLaw school requires lots of reading. The hands on experience can be gained in law clinics. Generally the hands on component is sparse.
Schedule Flexibility3It is full time only. No part time study. It is an around the clock commitment.
Academic Facilities9The law school is picturesque. The law library is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Social Life8Lots of smart and brilliant people attend Cornell Law School. It isn't the most enjoyable to hang out with lots of future lawyers, but it was overall great.
Placement Services1095% of my graduating class was employed upon graduation. The median salary for those graduating and working in the private sector was $160,000 per year.
Alumni Network10

Fordham University, School Of Law • New York, NY
Studying J.D. (completion in 2011)

2/29/2012

"I very much enjoyed my time at Fordham. While I am obviously frustrated with the job market at the time, I feel as though I got a strong legal education and experience that has made me an excellent lawyer."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesAs I said above, I enjoyed my time at Fordham and feel I got a strong education. Many of the complaints I had are in the process of changing with the new building and as the administration changes their views on practical and clinical education.
Program Reputation7The Law School is ranked in the top tier in the country and is well known. However, the reputation tends to be strongest in the NY area, but is less well-known in other regions and internationally.
Program Quality8Fordham Law has a strong international human rights education program. Through the Leitner Center, I was able to undertake a number of relevant courses, including a human rights clinic that enabled me to do field work overseas. In addition, I was funded for two summer internships in Africa.
Instruction8My courses were overall very good and provided a strong background to my career. In addition, most courses emphasized practical components or career preparation.
How Difficult8As with any law school, Fordham was not an easy workload. After 1L year, I had 20-25 page papers due for most of my courses, as well as extensive reading for each class meeting, and heavy participation was required.
Hands-On vs. BookishMany of the courses were, as with all law schools, oriented towards case law and "book learning." However, Fordham offers many opportunities for clinical education and hands-on experience, and most of the professors promoted more practical learning.
Schedule Flexibility10Classes were offered at a variety of times to meet any schedule. In particular, there is a prospering night school, so it was always possible to schedule classes to accommodate work schedules or to create a long weekend if desired.
Academic Facilities7Overall, the academic facilities, including the library and classrooms, were quite good. There was always a shortage of seating in the library and some classrooms were decidedly better than others, but the construction of the new building will correct that.
Social Life8There were always numerous events and activities going on to fit any mood. My only complaint would be the heavy reliance on "bar nights" rather than a more varied set of activities.
Placement Services8Everyone I have met with at CPC has been eager to help and provided guidance on resumes and cover letters. However, the main career center seems to discourage, or at least fail to support, public interest career seekers. In that sense, I have gained the most from PIRC and the Leitner Center.
Alumni Network6Fordham has not established an effective system to connect with alumni, which makes it difficult to meet and network with them. However, those I have met have been very supportive and eager to help fellow alumni.

Fordham Law School • New York, NY
Studying Law (completion in 2006)

3/13/2012

"It was a nice environment in which to learn the practice of law. It did not do anything spectacular."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesIf you are accepted to a better law school, you should go there. Otherwise, Fordham is a good place to go.
Program Reputation6It's a mid-first tier law school. There are better law schools in New York, but not many.
Program Quality7The professors were very dedicated to the students. The coursework was consistently interesting.
Instruction5The classes were well taught. There was very little career preparation, though.
How Difficult7The classes were usually very challenging, although the work load was manageable. Classes were graded on a strict curve, generally.
Hands-On vs. BookishLaw school is always largely about book learning. There are clinic opportunities, although I did not join one.
Schedule Flexibility5Like most law schools, your first year schedule is pre-determined. After that, you can really make whatever schedule you want.
Academic Facilities6The library is excellent. The classrooms are outdated and they need many more of them. They are expanding.
Social Life6The school is a lot less competitive than I expected it to be. While I was there they began to allow alcohol at school events, which did improve the events.
Placement Services5They do a good job planning early interview week. After that, you're more or less on your own.
Alumni Network6There are lots of alumni in New York City. Outside of New York City, the network is a lot smaller.

New York University • New York, NY
Studying Law (completion in 2005)

3/24/2012

"NYU provided a good education, but I would have preferred not being in NYC."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesMost people know how to pick a law school. But among its peers, NYU was unusually pleasant.
Program Reputation9It's not the very best school, but it's generally considered close.
Program Quality8The school is well-regarded. It is unfortunately very expensive.
Instruction7The professors were all eminent, but many were poor instructors.
How Difficult8The school was very competitive and graded on a curve.
Hands-On vs. BookishThere is a required "hands on" program in the first year. Thereafter, it is mostly books.
Schedule Flexibility1NYU was on a traditional schedule. There was no flexibility.
Academic Facilities8The professors were excellent. And I was impressed at the facilities, given the space constraints of New York.
Social Life5We were all working very hard. But there were some good people with whom I became friends.
Placement Services5We were expected to find our own jobs. That's pretty standard with law schools.
Alumni Network6NYU has a very strong network in New York. Less so here in DC and elsewhere.

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