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.
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
Additional dual degree programs in partnership with other regional colleges and universities can be found here.
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
Albany Law School offers 100% asynchronous Master's, LL.M. and Advanced Certificate programs in the following areas:
- Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
- Financial Compliance & Risk Management
- Government Affairs & Advocacy
- Health Law and Healthcare Compliance
- Human Resources: Law, Leadership and Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Hon. Lawrence H. Cooke ’38
Chief Judge New York 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).