Syracuse University College of Law

Syracuse University College of Law. It is the law school of Syracuse University and is located on its main campus in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1895, it is one of the oldest law schools in the United States and is accredited by the American Bar Association. The college is known for its programs in national security law, technology commercialization, and disability law.

History

The institution was established in 1895, making it one of the earliest law schools in New York State. It became an integral part of Syracuse University shortly after its founding. A significant early figure was Frank H. Hiscock, a New York Court of Appeals judge who served as dean and helped shape its early curriculum. The college has been housed in several buildings throughout its history, including Lyman Hall and Ernest I. White Hall, before moving to its current, purpose-built facility. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its programs and influence, notably establishing the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism in the post-September 11 attacks era.

Academics

The college offers the Juris Doctor degree, as well as several Master of Laws programs and a Doctor of Juridical Science. Its curriculum includes robust offerings in national security law, supported by the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, and disability law through the Burton Blatt Institute. Other notable programs focus on technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property law. Students can participate in clinics such as the Criminal Defense Clinic, the Veterans Legal Clinic, and the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. The college also publishes the Syracuse Law Review and the Journal of International Law and Commerce.

Campus and facilities

The college is located in Dineen Hall, a modern, 200,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2014 on the Syracuse University campus. The building was designed by the architecture firm Polshek Partnership and features a three-story atrium, numerous courtrooms for moot court competitions, and the Mackenzie Hughes Appellate Courtroom. It houses the Law Library, which contains extensive collections and serves as a Federal Depository Library. Other key spaces include the Innovation Law Center, the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, and the Office of Career Services.

Notable alumni

Graduates have achieved prominence in various fields, including the judiciary, politics, business, and public service. In the judiciary, notable alumni include Theodore T. Jones Jr. of the New York Court of Appeals and Joanna Seybert, a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Political figures include former United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Governor of New York Malcolm Wilson. Other distinguished alumni are Joseph D. Tydings, a former United States Senator from Maryland, and John Katko, a former member of the United States House of Representatives.

Rankings and reputation

The college is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the United States by publishers like U.S. News & World Report. It is particularly recognized for its specialty programs in national security law and disability law. The Princeton Review has frequently included it in its guides for best law schools. Its bar passage rate in New York and employment outcomes for graduates are key metrics in its annual evaluations. The college's reputation is bolstered by its active alumni network and the success of its graduates in securing positions in law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations.

Category:Syracuse University Category:Law schools in New York (state) Category:Educational institutions established in 1895