CUNY Law ranked #3 in the nation for its forward-thinking clinical training program for the second year in a row. The annual rankings, conducted by U.S. News and World Report, look at essential aspects of legal education.
“The report shows what we’ve long known: our clinic is a strong and successful model for other law schools and is one of the very best in the country,” said CUNY Law Dean Michelle J. Anderson.
The specialty ranking reflects the high regard in which CUNY Law’s clinical program is held throughout the nation’s law schools. The pioneering program, which started in 1985, has consistently ranked among the top 10 among U.S. law schools for the past 12 years.
“It is gratifying to be recognized as one of the top clinical programs. Our #3 ranking is a tribute to the effort and commitment of the entire law school community. We deeply value the incredible and meaningful work of our clinic students, faculty and staff, said Prof. Joe Rosenberg (’86), senior associate dean of clinical programs.
The clinical program is a core part of CUNY Law’s curriculum—every student participates. And the impact that they make of New York City, the nation and the world is considerable.
This year alone, 18 second-year students in the Economic Justice Project (EJP) advocated for NYC public school students in Queens who are facing suspension.
Students in the Criminal Defense Clinic are representing incarcerated individuals serving life sentences in their bids for clemency, at the federal and state levels. This work was reported in the New York Times.
This past fall, several generations of students in the Immigrant and Non-Citizens Rights Clinic (INRC) celebrated the release of their client, Shaker Aamer, from Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility. Aamer had been held for 13 years without charge, and INRC had represented him for the past five years.
Learn more about current clinic offerings and the history of the clinical program.