Albany Law No. 1 in Nation for Government Law by preLaw Magazine; 'A' in Health Law

Albany Law School is the top law school in the United States for government, according to preLaw magazine.

In its latest report on top public service law schools, Albany Law School ranks first for government in the magazine’s ranking of U.S. law schools.

The publication factored employment numbers, curricula related to the field—this includes concentrations, clinical and externship opportunities, student groups, and journals—and debt and loan repayment options to arrive at this ranking.

Careers in public service provide something many students increasingly say is important: engaging in meaningful work that contributes to society. A 2018 Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and Gallup report noted that 44 percent of undergraduates interested in law school were particularly interested in public service.

“Albany Law School offers many opportunities for students to pursue service-focused careers including practical training through The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center, the Government Law Center, our expansive pro bono and field placement programs, and our deep and extensive ties to the New York State government, as well as to local governments across the state. We are extremely proud to offer merit-based scholarships to most  J.D. students to reduce the debt our graduates leave law school with. We take great pride in preparing our students to enter the workforce—whether they choose government service, public interest work, law, private practice, or anything else that interests them,” said Albany Law School President and Dean Cinnamon P. Carlarne. “We are honored that preLaw magazine’s editors recognize  our commitment to, and success in preparing the next generation of public service-oriented lawyers and leaders.”

Albany Law’s proximity and connection to New York State government and its extensive and engaged alumni base working across the public sector allows students to have their choice of internships, clerkships, and later, full time employment with government agencies, lawmakers, and judges.

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School is unparalleled resource for our students who are interested in government service and public service. Through the many programs, fellowship opportunities, and partnerships it offers, the Government Law Center  both provides countless opportunities for students who are interested in government careers and offers nonpartisan legal research and analysis that state and local governments need to better serve their communities.

Albany Law School also has a long history of educating public-service leaders. Graduates include the 25th President of the United States William McKinley, two former U.S. Supreme Court judges, current U.S. congressional representatives and mayors, former U.S. Attorneys, sitting judges, and numerous other public servants. Students also benefit from Albany Law School's network of 11,000-plus active alumni—many of whom work in government affairs and policy, public interest, and criminal law.

Albany Law School was also ranked among the top 25 law schools for criminal law. These rankings are based on a school’s academic offerings coupled with opportunities for hands on practice, like the experiential opportunities students earn within one of the five clinics in the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center.

Albany Law School also earned an ‘A’ rating in Health Law for the second year in a row.

J.D. students can gain field experience, with real clients, in the Health Law Clinic, through a Field Placement, and the Semester-In-Practice Programs, all through the Swyer Justice Center.

Students can also earn degrees simultaneously through the Dual J.D./M.S. in Bioethics program in conjunction with the Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College.

Beyond the extensive J.D. options, Albany Law School also offers a series of cutting-edge Online Graduate Programs. These programs provide working professionals with or without any legal background the opportunity to advance their careers with an LL.M or Master's degree or an Advance Certificate in a variety of specialty fields, including through a fully-online Health Law and Healthcare Compliance Program.