Welcoming Incoming Residential JD Class of 2027

Albany Law School welcomed the entering Class of 2024 - many with a scheduled graduation year of 2027 – during its annual Orientation with social connections, introductions to legal education, and community service.

Of the 222 incoming students representing 19 U.S. states and 15 birth countries, 54 percent identify as female, and 30 percent identify as first-generation college students. They represent 95 undergraduate institutions and 45 different undergraduate majors. 25 percent also identify as racially or ethnically diverse. 

Orientation kicked off on Tuesday, August 13, with a welcome from President and Dean Cinnamon Carlarne, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Jenean Taranto, and Student Trustee Nicholas Discala ’25.

A Welcome BBQ held in the campus greenspace was an opportunity to meet more members of the Albany Law School Community. 

Day two began with some introductory courses, including Legal Methods/Class 1: Anatomy of a Case and meeting with key campus contacts such as representatives from Student Affairs, DEI, Business Office, Financial Aid, Registrar, Library, and Public Safety.

The day concluded with “Being an Albany Law Student” a session with current students discussing their experiences and answering questions. 

Day three kicked of with more classes, including Deriving a Rules from a Case, and sessions with Prof. Daniel Bollana, Director of Bar Success and the Diversity Equity & Inclusion team, Assistant Dean Jermaine Cruz, and DEI Coordinator, Owen Collier.

Students enjoyed lunch at the Career and Professional Development Center Luncheon with Alumni and Members of the NYS Bar Association. 

A formal swearing in ceremony by administered by The Honorable Mae D’Agostino, United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York and class photo concluded the formal programming. 

Students also completed various community service projects throughout the Capital District on Friday.