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Albany Law School Launches The Daniel P. Nolan ’78 Institute for Innovation in the Legal Profession

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Albany Law School announced today the formal launch of The Daniel P. Nolan ’78 Institute for Innovation in the Legal Profession. Established through the visionary leadership and philanthropic support of longtime trustee, alumnus, and business leader Dan Nolan ’78.  The new Institute will serve as a hub that will explore not just the future of legal education, but also of the legal profession itself. 

The Nolan Institute will connect Albany Law’s 175-year history of being at the forefront of legal education in the United States to shape  the ongoing evolution of the practice of law in light of new and emerging technologies. Led by inaugural Director Ray Brescia, the Hon. Harold R. Tyler Chair in Law and Technology, the Institute will conduct and promote interdisciplinary research, pioneer new legal-tech initiatives, and support experiential learning programs that teach students how to harness technology—including artificial intelligence—to better serve their clients and communities.  

“As we celebrate our 175th year as a leader in legal innovation, I am confident that Albany Law will continue to lead in the field of legal education as it has done throughout our history. Under Professor Brescia’s leadership of the Nolan Institute, we will continue to demonstrate the law school’s capacity for leading change, with a particular focus on preparing our graduates to understand the ways emerging technologies will impact the practice of law, while still imbuing our graduates with the capacity to serve their clients with passion, lead in their communities, and practice ethically and effectively in a rapidly changing world,” said Albany Law’s President and Dean, Cinnamon P. Carlarne.

"The launch of the Nolan Institute marks an extraordinary milestone for Albany Law School," Carlarne said. "Dan and Sally Nolan’s dedication to this institution has been transformative. Under Professor Brescia's leadership, this Institute will empower our students to not only navigate change in the legal landscape, but to lead it."

Key focus areas of the Nolan Institute include:

  • Legal Technology & Generative AI: Integrating practical competency in legal tech tools and emerging technology, building on Albany Law School’s recent legal technology initiatives. An example of this is the new required first year course "Introduction to Law Practice in the Digital Age."  This one-credit course is specifically designed to provide essential instruction in core legal technologies with a heavy focus on the ways in which generative artificial intelligence will transform the practice of law in the coming decade.
  • Innovative Access-to-Justice Initiatives: With a particular focus on ensuring that new and emerging technologies serve the legal needs of Americans of modest means and those who are unable to access assistance to meet their legal needs, the Institute will champion the development of resources that bring legal guidance to underserved communities in ethical and effective ways.
  • Cutting-Edge Research: the Institute will also sponsor and host efforts that explore the ways that new and emerging technologies can better serve the legal profession and the communities they serve. 

  • Entrepreneurship & Non-Traditional Legal Careers: Training J.D. students to apply legal analytical skills in start-up, venture capital, and business management settings. Inspired by Nolan’s career trajectory as prominent leader in finance and investment. Over his multi-decade career with firms such as The Ayco Company (Goldman Sachs), Graypoint LLC, and Hugh Johnson Advisors.

As a testament to Albany Law School’s efforts in this area, efforts the Institute will only enhance and expand, earlier this month, Albany Law School was recognized by preLaw Magazine on its Technology Law Honor Roll. 

For the Institute’s inaugural director, Ray Brescia, the work Albany Law’s students, staff and faculty will do moving forward as part of the Institute’s work is just a continuation of the school’s 175-year history of leading in legal education.  “It is sometimes said that if you want to predict the future, invent it,” Brescia said.  “And Albany Law School has been at the forefront of inventing legal education and helping to shape the profession for nearly two centuries.  The Institute will build on this legacy and extend it well into the future,” he added. 

Support Albany Law School students through a designated gift to the  Nolan Center here.