Page 21 - NYLS Strategic Plan Progress and Outcomes • 2015

spotlig t
an uPdate on “the citY iS our claSSroom” Program
in 2013-14, nYlS launched the “The city is our classroom” initiative to leverage its location in the heart of New York City’s legal, government, financial and tech centers and the relationships that location makes possible. nYlS recognizes that the legal profession demands more practice-ready graduates, therefore, students’ classroom education must be complemented by ample opportunities for practical training in both traditional legal settings and high-growth fields.
NYLS has been actively aligning its curriculum, academic centers, and practical training programs with the legal needs of these key economic drivers. We have also worked with organizations across the City to create unique practice opportunities for students
in 2014-15, nYlS marked its second year partnering with global financial services company credit Suisse to offer General counsel academy, an initiative to meet the financial industry’s need for skilled talent with hands-on field training in compliance jobs. the inaugural class of nYlS students completed its commitment last year and many of them secured a post-graduate opportunity with credit Suisse or with another employer in the financial services industry, including Michael Soumas ’15 (credit Suisse), richard Pearsall ’15 (alston & Bird), and kathleen Scully ’15 (citiBank). credit Suisse recruited its second class in spring 2015.
other programs that capitalize on “the city is our classroom” initiative include:
n The neighborhood Legal fellows Program, run by the New York City Department of Small Business Services, provides to select Business improvement districts (Bid’s) in new York city access to outstanding NYLS students to help build capacity and strengthen these neighborhood- serving organizations.
n NYLS students are defending tort claims as part of the Municipal Litigation defense clinic in new York city’s law department.
n NYLS students have represented the nYc administration for children’s Services in matters affecting children’s welfare.
n Students also regularly offer their services to district attorney offices through prosecution clinics, and to the Legal aid Society through criminal defense clinics.
n NYLS offered opportunities to NYLS students to work in other agencies such as the health department and the Taxi and Limousine commission.
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Strategic Plan ProgreSS and outcomeS
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