Pace University School of Law

Pace University School of Law
Name	Pace University School of Law
Established	1976
Type	Private
City	White Plains
State	New York
Country	United States
Parent	Pace University

Pace University School of Law is a private law school located in White Plains, New York and part of Pace University. Founded in 1976, the school offers Juris Doctor and advanced law degrees with a focus on practice-oriented training and public service. Its proximity to New York City, Westchester County, New York, and regional courts informs its clinical emphasis and externship networks with legal institutions across New York State, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and federal agencies.

History

Pace University School of Law opened in 1976 amid expansion of professional schools in the 1970s United States educational expansion. Early leadership forged ties with regional institutions such as the Westchester County Courthouse and municipal legal offices. During the 1980s and 1990s the school expanded programs in environmental law, elder law, and public interest law, aligning with developments like the Clean Air Act amendments and federal Older Americans Act. In the 2000s Pace migrated pedagogically toward experiential education reflecting trends exemplified by institutions such as Harvard Law School and Yale Law School while maintaining a regional practice focus. Throughout the 2010s and 2020s the school strengthened clinics and externships tied to the New York Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and non‑profit partners including Legal Services Corporation affiliates.

Campus and Facilities

The law school occupies the Michaelian Office Building area in downtown White Plains, New York, within walking distance of the White Plains TransCenter and commuter rail service to Grand Central Terminal. Facilities include moot courtrooms modeled after venues such as the Supreme Court of the United States courtroom, legal research centers with access to major databases used by courts like the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and collaborative spaces for clinics linked to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity affiliates and American Civil Liberties Union local chapters. The library holdings support comparative research referencing collections comparable to those used by scholars at Columbia Law School, Fordham University School of Law, and other regional institutions.

Academics and Programs

Pace offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and joint degrees with schools comparable to programs at New York University School of Law and Columbia University School of Law. Concentrations include corporate law, environmental law, and dispute resolution, drawing curricular influence from statutes and cases such as the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and decisions from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Faculty have published alongside scholars from Stanford Law School, University of Chicago Law School, and practitioners from firms and agencies like Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and the United States Department of Justice. Courses incorporate externships with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, placements at municipal public defender offices, and seminars that analyze precedent from the United States Supreme Court.

Admissions and Student Body

Admissions criteria reflect LSAT scores and undergraduate records analogous to peer institutions in the Northeast United States legal education market. The student body includes individuals from counties such as Westchester County, New York, boroughs of New York City including Manhattan and Brooklyn, and states across the United States. Pace enrolls students who pursue clerkships with judges from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the New York State Supreme Court. Diversity initiatives connect students to organizations like the National Association for Law Placement and affinity groups modeled after chapters at schools such as Georgetown University Law Center.

Clinical Programs and Experiential Learning

Clinical programs form a central component, with clinics addressing civil litigation, criminal defense, elder law, environmental advocacy, and consumer protection. Students have participated in cases before tribunals such as the New York City Civil Court and administrative bodies like the New York State Division of Human Rights. Externships place students in offices including the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, public defender organizations, and non‑profits similar to Human Rights Watch. The school’s moot court and negotiation teams compete in tournaments like those administered by the American Bar Association and interscholastic events held against competitors including Rutgers Law School and Brooklyn Law School.

Rankings, Accreditation, and Bar Passage

Pace is accredited by the American Bar Association and participates in reporting standards used in national assessments such as those compiled by entities like US News & World Report. Bar passage rates are reported in accordance with American Bar Association guidelines and compared regionally to results from state licensing in New York and neighboring jurisdictions. Alumni achieve bar licensure and secure positions in private practice, government service, and non‑profit organizations including firms such as Proskauer Rose and agencies like the Federal Trade Commission.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

Alumni have served in roles across the judiciary, legislative offices, and executive agencies, securing positions in institutions like the New York State Assembly, the United States House of Representatives, and municipal courts including the Westchester County Court. Faculty and visiting lecturers have included scholars and practitioners who previously worked at organizations such as the United States Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, and leading law firms including Davis Polk & Wardwell. Former adjuncts and alumni have gone on to clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and serve in leadership at legal organizations like the New York State Bar Association.

Category:Pace University Category:Law schools in New York (state)