About Us

Albany Law School was the nation's first independent school of law and remains one of the finest. Founded in 1851, Albany Law has played an important role in the development of legal education in the United States.

In mid-19th century America, the standard preparation for the bar was a legal clerkship. The School's founders-Amos Dean, Ira Harris and Amasa Parker, all successful lawyers active in public affairs-felt that this approach fell short in preparing new lawyers. The trio set out to replace it with a structured educational program that encompassed both thorough knowledge of the principles of law and experience in applying them. Their philosophy of legal education caught hold and Albany Law School flourished. This combination of theory and practice, continues to be a hallmark of an Albany Law education today.

The School's early history is marked with a range of noteworthy milestones and accomplishments. In 1873, we affiliated with Albany Medical College and Union College to form Union University. Later on Albany College of Pharmacy joined. Each institution has its own governing board and is responsible for its own programs.

In 1875, Albany Law published the nation's first student-edited law review, the Albany Law School Journal. An innovative lecture series on legal ethics began just after the turn of the century.

Throughout the 20th century, Albany Law School expanded and diversified the faculty, curriculum and student body. It added important programs such as the Albany Law School Clinic, in which students and faculty provide legal support for low-income citizens, and the Government Law Center, a highly respected resource for law- and policymakers in Albany and elsewhere around the country.

In 1998, the Science and Technology Law Center was launched, meeting the increasing demand for legal expertise in the Capital Region's growing high-tech sector. These additions were among many steps the School took to ensure that the curriculum and related experiences reflected the best of modern legal education.

These efforts have all contributed to today's Albany Law, a school noted for academic vigor, a collegial, collaborative learning environment, and the remarkable career success of its graduates.