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Government, Policy, and Public Service​​​​​​​​

 

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Albany Law School is the only law school located in the seat of New York State government. Because of this, our students have unrivaled opportunities to work with and learn from New York State’s leaders in all levels of government. Our semester-in-government program offers students unique opportunities to work in the nation’s capital for a semester, learning, first-hand, how policy is made at the national level. International internship opportunities, from the Netherlands to South Africa, give students opportunities to expand their horizons and obtain a global perspective on the law.

Student Life

The Government, Policy, and Public Service Pathway starts at Orientation where new students can participate in special sessions introducing them to the Pathway and where they can meet faculty, peer, and alumni mentors.

Academic Program

Students following the Government, Policy, and Public Service​​​​​​​​ Pathway are not required to choose a concentration, but the following concentrations align with this Pathway. Students can elect to concentrate in one of these areas or use the concentrations as a guideline for course selection in the areas in which they have an interest:

Experiential Opportunities

Capstone Course:
Law & Social Innovation: Creative Problem Solving

In-House Clinics:
Domestic Violence Prosecution
Community Development Clinic
Family Violence Litigation Clinic
Immigration Clinic
Health Law Clinic

Institute for Financial Market Regulation (IFMR):
Working with the Institute for Financial Market Regulation would be another avenue for students to gain valuable experience and learning opportunities in: the business of financial markets, and public policy affecting the markets and driving regulation systems.

Government Law Center (GLC):
The GLC provides multivariate opportunities for students, such as the Government Law Center Fellowship program.

Field Placements/Summer & Semester-in-Practice

  • New York State Department of Environment Conservation
  • New York State Assembly - Minority Council's Office
  • New York State Governor's Counsel
  • U.S. Trustee, Department of Justice
  • Albany County Attorney
  • City of Albany Corporation Counsel
  • City of Cohoes, Building and Planning Department
  • Columbia County Department of Social Services
  • Town of Colonie, Office of Town Attorney
  • Watervliet Corporation Counsel
  • Dormitory Authority of the State of New York
  • New York State Attorney General
    • Litigation Bureau
    • Real Property Bureau
    • Sexual Offender Management Bureau
    • Appeals & Opinions Division
    • Civil Recoveries Unit
    • Claims Bureau
    • Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau
    • Environmental Protection Bureau
  • New York Board of Elections
  • Public Defenders Offices
  • Government, Environmental, SciTech Placement
  • New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
  • New York State Department of Economic Development
  • New York State Department of State
  • New York State Department of State-Division of Consumer Protection
  • New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
  • New York State Education Department
  • New York State Employee Relations Board
  • New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics
  • New York State Liquor Authority
  • New York State Office of General Services
  • New York State Office of Information Technology Services
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
  • New York State Office of the Inspector General
  • New York State Public Service Commission
  • New York State Racing and Wagering Board
  • New York State Thruway Authority
  • State University of New York (SUNY), University Counsel's Office
  • Legal Aid Society
  • United States Attorney Placement

Strategic Partnerships

Relevant dual degrees are currently in place with the following local partners:

  • J.D./Master in Public Administration with the University at Albany
  • Partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Career Opportunities and Placement

Career Planning provides professional development opportunities specific to each pathway. Students work with alumni mentors to network and explore career opportunities in the area of government and public service.

Where do our Alumni go?

  • Albany County
  • Legal Aid Offices
  • New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS)
  • New York State Attorney General
  • New York State Assembly
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • New York State Education Department
  • Public Defender Offices