Albany Law School Ranked No. 1 in Government Law Careers, 6th in Nation for Prosecution and Public Defense
When it comes to preparing law students for careers in public service, Albany Law School is one of the nation's best, according to new rankings published by preLaw magazine.
PreLaw, which named 49 schools overall in three categories, placed Albany Law atop the list for government careers, citing its "A" grades in curriculum and employment. Albany Law — one of only eight law schools in more than one category — was also ranked No. 6 for public defender and prosecutor jobs.
The magazine based its rankings on employment statistics, curricular offerings — including related concentrations, clinics, and centers — and financial data. Employment was the highest-weighed component, factoring in at 50 percent.
Graduates include a U.S. president, two U.S. Supreme Court members, the current New York governor, more than 300 sitting judges, and thousands of prosecutors, public defenders, and other public service leaders.
At Albany Law School, students have access to a network of more than 10,000 active alumni. With a robust Career and Professional Development Center and several related Opportunity Pathways, Albany Law prides itself on readying graduates for rewarding public service careers.
Graduates include U.S. President McKinley, the current N.Y. Governor Cuomo, two U.S. Supreme Court judges and more than 300 sitting judges today, the current mayors of Albany and Rochester, and thousands of other public service leaders.
Each year, Albany Law students help hundreds of clients through the on-campus The Justice Center in areas such as health care, family violence, immigration, and taxes. In the Domestic Violence Prosecution Hybrid Clinic, law students, under the supervision of professors and practicing attorneys, are given the opportunity to prosecute domestic violence crimes while acquiring basic lawyering and courtroom skills.
Albany Law's Government Law Center, New York's leading law and policy center for government and public interest, provides students ample opportunities for hands-on learning.
Albany Law students also have access to more than 150 field placement opportunities, ranging from government agencies and advocacy groups to public interest law organizations, district attorney offices, and a variety of state and federal court systems. The Government Law Center at Albany Law School offers several opportunities, including the Semester in Government (SIG) program, an extensive, full-time placement in New York's Capital Region or Washington, D.C.
PreLaw, published by Cypress Magazines in San Diego, Calif., is read by law school professors, administrators, and more than 45,000 prospective law students across the United States, according to the publication's website.
In 2014, Albany Law was named a top public interest law school by preLaw's sister magazine, The National Jurist.
The University at Albany works closely with Albany Law School to combine programs and activities to benefit students from both schools. The collaboration allows the school to draw on the strengths of each other, and includes dual degree programs, among other collaborations.
