Albany Law School Named to preLaw Magazine's Justice & Opportunity Honor Roll

Albany Law School has been named to preLaw magazine’s newly released Justice & Opportunity Honor Roll, which celebrates institutions that reflects leadership across four areas — geographic and rural access, mission-driven urban public access, admissions innovation and modality and design — showing how law schools are expanding access to justice in different but equally meaningful ways.

We are proud that Albany Law School has been designated as an A-level inclusive institution. This designation further advances our institutional commitments to providing an accessible legal education in an environment designed to celebrate and nurture belonging and well-being.  
Schools were evaluated based on the scope and maturity of their efforts, including evidence of scale, longevity and measurable impact where available.  The Honor Roll is not a ranking, but a recognition of meaningful action at a moment when access pathways matter more than ever.

"The Justice & Opportunity Honor Roll recognizes law schools for leadership in expanding access to legal education," the preLaw article states. "The framework reflects an evolution from our previous coverage of diversity alone and places greater emphasis on the structures, policies and programs that create pathways into the legal profession." 

Albany Law School is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for its growing population that allows for a greater understanding and valuing of differences while also embracing similarities to achieve a common mission.

“Albany Law School is a special and tight-knit community collectively committed to the intentionality required to develop and maintain a fully inclusive community where we train tomorrow’s leaders not only to be capable and skilled legal professionals, but to also focus on the humanity that is necessarily inherent in the practice and provision of law and justice,” said Jermaine Cruz, Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence & Enrollment Management and Adjunct Professor. 

One example of programs considered by preLaw in granting Albany Law its rating is the Lean Into Success program, offered to incoming JD students ahead of Orientation. Focused on academic success and community building, the week-long program offers additional preparation for the rigors of law school education and acclimation to the law school community. Students have the opportunity to connect with administration, faculty, staff, and current students, engage with alumni who may become mentors, learn to manage the stressors related to law school and engage in service activities which will positively impact the area in which they will live and learn.