Logo

About Us

Our Vision

An independent law school with a national reputation for excellence.

Our Mission

Albany Law School educates and empowers tomorrow’s leaders, engaged professionals, committed public servants, inspiring community change-agents, and creative problem solvers.

We connect the classroom to the profession, government, and the community through experienced-based learning, engaged scholarship, and a robust network of alumni and supporters. Our students develop a sophisticated understanding of legal policy and doctrine, a broad range of professional competencies, and a deep commitment to justice and ethical values.

Our President and Dean

Cinnamon P. Carlarne
President and Dean
B.C.L. (Bachelor of Civil Law), University of Oxford
M.S. Environmental Change and Management, University of Oxford
J.D., Environmental Law Certificate, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Baylor University

Our History

Albany Law School, founded in 1851, is the nation's oldest independent school of law. Albany Law shares a 54-acre campus with three other colleges in the heart of New York's capital.

Board of Trustees

A 36-member governing Board of Trustees helps Albany Law School shape its vision for the future. Board members include general counsels, CEOs, judges, and partners in prominent law firms.

Our Affiliation with the University at Albany

Albany Law School and the University at Albany work together to combine programs and activities to benefit students from both schools. As a small, intimate law school, the collaboration allows the law school to draw on the strengths of a major research university. For results of the first year of the affiliation, see the 2016 Steering Committee Report.

UAlbany and Albany Law School Announcing the Collaboration:
Read the University at Albany and Albany Law School affiliation announcement.
Read what community members are saying about the affiliation.

Dual Degree Programs

  • the JD – the traditional law degree - and an MBA
  • the JD and a Master's in Public Administration and Policy
  • the JD and a Master's in Social Work
  • the JD and a Master's in Regional Planning
  • the JD and a Master's in History
  • the JD and a Master's in Criminal Justice
  • the JD and a Master's in Public Health
  • the JD and a Master's in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

The 3+3 Accelerated Program

After three years at UAlbany, the student completes the fourth year as a first-year student at Albany Law. Learn more about the 3+3 Accelerated Program.

Other Programs

Other programs include financial markets, law and history, law and cybersecurity, law and community development, social entrepreneurship, justice and health, and much more.

  • Institute for Market Regulation
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.) program for Health and Human Rights
  • Faculty Collaboration
  • Cybersecurity and Law
  • Social Entrepreneurship and Law

There are other opportunities for Albany Law School students to take advantage of UAlbany’s world-class programs, including learning from:

  • UAlbany’s Global Institute for Health and Human Rights
  • UAlbany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy
  • UAlbany's School of Business
  • UAlbany's School of Criminal Justice
  • and UAlbany's School of Social Welfare

Scholarships for SUNY Students

Graduate and undergraduate students who are accepted for admission to Albany Law School will be offered a SUNY Legal Fellowship (SLF). It provides $20,000 per year guaranteed funding. Students must apply for, be accepted, and enroll at Albany Law School for fall 2020 to be eligible for this offer. Learn more about The SUNY Legal Fellowship at Albany Law School.
The law school and the University have a shared goal: to educate and train the next generation of leaders. We expect to introduce many more collaborative programs moving forward.

The Center for International Development

The University at Albany’s Center for International Development is located on Albany Law School’s campus, where students and faculty can work together on projects. Learn more about the Center for International Development.

Frequently Asked Questions

PHILANTHROPY AT ALBANY LAW SCHOOL

We Rise Together Campaign Raised Record $33 million (2021)

The Justice Center endowed with a gift of $15 million (2019)

Gifts to the Albany Law School Fund total 1.8 million annually (2021)

Endowment — $81 million (as of May 2021)
90 Endowed Scholarships
11 Endowed Fellowships
25 Prizes
4 Endowed Chairs

Select Prominent Alumni

William McKinley 1867
25th President of the United States

Robert H. Jackson ’12
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Richard D. Parsons ’71
Former Chairman, Citigroup

Leslie Stein ’81
Former Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals

Michael Garcia ’89
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals

Kate Stoneman 1898
First alumna and woman admitted to the New York State bar

Thomas J. Vilsack ’75
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under Biden Administration; Former Governor of Iowa

David Miranda ’88
Former New York State Bar Association President;
Partner, Heslin Rothenberg Farley and Mesiti

Stephen P. Younger ’82
Former New York State Bar Association President;
Partner, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Accreditations

ABA Accredited

Albany Law School is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654 (312-988-6738).

MSCHE Accredited

Albany Law School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000).

Member

Albany Law School is a member of the Association of American Law Schools: 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20036 (202-296-8851).