Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. Founded in 1851 by Robert H. Pruyn and others, Albany Law School is the oldest independent law school in the United States.
In 1875, Albany Law published the nation's first student edited law-review, the Albany Law School Journal. Currently, the school publishes three journals: Albany Law Review, Albany Law Journal of Science & Technology, and Albany Government Law Review.
In May 2006, Forbes magazine's annual "Best Places for Business and Careers" list ranked Albany, New York as 18th in the United States, out of 200 metro-areas on the list.
Albany Law is the only law school located within New York's Capital Region. This gives Albany Law students extensive access to internships and job opportunities. The State Legislature, New York Court of Appeals, The Appellate Division 3rd Department, countless state agencies, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York, the New York State Bar Association, and a large number of private law firms call Albany home. In addition, Albany Law School operates several public interest clinics providing students with hands-on legal experience. Some of the clinics available include the Health Law, Introduction to Litigation, Low Income Taxpayer, Civil Rights and Disabilities, Domestic Violence, and Securities Arbitration.
Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, Dudley Observatory, Graduate College of Union University, and Union College together form Union University, a historic linkage dating back to 1873. Each member institution has its own governing board, is fiscally independent and is responsible for its own programs. See also: blank">Union College's description of Union University.
Because of that affiliation, Albany Law School is able to offer 14 concentrations for J.D. candidates, as well as an L.L.M program, and joint J.D./M.B.A, J.D./M.P.A., J.D./M.R.P., J.D./M.S., and J.D./M.S.W. programs. Albany Law School's Schaffer Law Library holds a collection of over 620,000 volumes and equivalents, including videotapes of oral arguments before the _New York State Court of Appeals dating back to 1989.
In 2006, over 88% of first-time bar exam takers from Albany Law School passed the bar, nearly 10% greater than the New York State average of 79%. According to the Albany Law School website, Dean Thomas F. Guernsey credits the success to a series of newly instituted programs aimed at preparing students for the bar exam. Employment rate for graduates, six months post-graduation, is currently reported at 96%.
