New York Law School

What is the history of New York Law School?

New York Law School is a private law school founded in 1891 in New York City. Its origins lie in a dispute at Columbia Law School: faculty members who left Columbia established a separate institution devoted to legal education. New York Law School is not part of Columbia University or New York University.

The school's history has been closely tied to legal practice in the city. A major campus change came in 2009, when it opened a new academic building at 185 West Broadway in Tribeca. Its present identity is that of a specialized, graduate-level institution rather than a college offering a broad range of undergraduate majors.

What are the faculties and departments at New York Law School?

New York Law School is organized around legal education, not a collection of undergraduate faculties. Its principal degree is the Juris Doctor (J.D.), offered through full-time and part-time study options. It also offers advanced legal study, including an LL.M. in Taxation; applicants should check the current academic catalog for the degrees and formats accepting students in their intended term.

Students can pursue interests such as business law, public interest law, intellectual property, real estate, and litigation through courses and experiential work. Centers and programs focused on subjects including New York City law, international law, and legal innovation add opportunities for events and specialized study. A center or concentration is not necessarily a separate degree, so applicants should compare the actual degree requirements before choosing a path.

What is the location of New York Law School?

New York Law School is at 185 West Broadway in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. This is a dense urban setting near courts, government offices, law firms, public-interest organizations, and employers across New York City.

Multiple subway lines and other public transit options serve the surrounding area, making commuting practical from many neighborhoods. That access can also support internships and semester-time legal work, although travel times depend heavily on where a student lives. Applicants considering the school should weigh those advantages against New York City housing and transportation expenses.

What is the mission and vision of New York Law School?

New York Law School presents its educational purpose as preparing students for legal practice through rigorous coursework, practical training, and engagement with the profession and the city. Its location and professional programs reflect a particular emphasis on applying legal knowledge beyond the classroom.

That is the school's stated approach, not evidence that every student will have the same experience or career result. Prospective students can test how it works in practice by reviewing required experiential credits, available clinics and externships, course schedules, and published employment outcomes. New York Law School is an independent, nonsectarian institution.