The power to make a difference is something many people seek. We all want to make a meaningful contribution to the world, but not everyone has the same opportunities or resources to do so. The reality is that the world we live in is not a haven for everyone. The dynamics of society may have changed over the years, but many systems still favor those with privilege.
One way to give a voice to the oppressed is to study law. In addition to giving students the legal training to pursue justice, studying law can lead to a wide range of career opportunities across industries.
For those considering a career in law, choosing the right school is an important task. New York State, and especially New York City, is home to several exceptional law schools. New York City is a major hub for business, finance, government, public interest work, and international organizations, giving students many opportunities for externships and professional experience in different sectors. In this article, we will be looking at some of the best law schools in New York.
Best Law Schools in New York
1. Columbia University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., Executive LL.M. in Global Business Law, J.S.D., and dual and joint degree options
Columbia Law School at Columbia University is one of New York’s most prominent law schools and is especially well known for corporate and business law. The Law School opened in 1858 as Columbia College of Law and has long been recognized among the leading law schools in the United States. Its alumni include graduates who founded major law firms and many accomplished lawyers, judges, scholars, and public servants.
The law school includes several research centers and programs, including the Center for Korean Legal Studies, the Center for Japanese Legal Studies, the Center for Israeli Legal Studies, the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies, the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration, and the Center for Institutional and Social Change.
Columbia Law School offers rigorous programs that cover major issues in modern legal scholarship as well as long-standing areas of legal study. In the LL.M. curriculum, most lecture courses use the Socratic method, while seminars encourage close collaboration among faculty, LL.M. students, and J.D. students. Students can also take workshops and simulation courses that address real-world legal challenges.
2. Cornell University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., M.S.L.S., J.S.D., international dual degrees, and J.D. joint degree options
Cornell Law School of Cornell University admitted its first students in 1887 as Cornell’s law department. Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell Law is known for its close-knit academic environment and strong national reputation. It offers a three-year J.D. program, a one-year LL.M. program, an online M.S.L.S. program, an LL.M. program at Cornell Tech, a J.S.D. program, international dual degrees, and J.D. joint degree options.
Aside from its traditional degree programs, Cornell Law School allows students to pursue interdisciplinary and international pathways. Third-year J.D. students may choose concentration options such as Advocacy, Business Law and Regulation, Conflict Resolution, General Practice, Law, Inequity, and Structural Exclusion, Public Law, and Technology and Law.
Students in the Doctor of the Science of Law program conduct original research into specific legal topics while deepening their understanding of American domestic law, international law, and comparative law. Cornell’s J.S.D. program requires advanced research, a dissertation, and work under a Special Committee.
3. Fordham University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., M.S.L., and S.J.D.
Nestled in the heart of the Big Apple, the School of Law at Fordham University is among the top law schools in New York. It is the law school of Fordham University, a Jesuit, Catholic educational institution. Fordham Law offers day and evening J.D. programs, LL.M. programs with online and in-person options, an M.S.L. program for non-lawyers, and an S.J.D. program for advanced legal scholarship.
Fordham Law is also recognized for several specialty areas. Its current rankings page states that its part-time law program is ranked No. 3 and its full-time law program is ranked No. 38 by U.S. News. Fordham also reports that eight of its specialty law areas, including trial advocacy and intellectual property, are ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News.
In its 2025 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, U.S. News & World Report ranked 11 Fordham Law programs among the top 30 in the country, including Trial Advocacy, Dispute Resolution, Clinical Training, Criminal Law, Business and Corporate Law, International Law, Intellectual Property Law, Contracts and Commercial Law, Tax Law, and Constitutional Law.
4. Cardozo School of Law – Yeshiva University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., J.S.D., J.D./M.B.A., and M.S.L. in Labor and Employment Law
Founded in 1976 by Yeshiva University, Cardozo School of Law is named after Benjamin N. Cardozo, an American lawyer and U.S. Supreme Court justice. Cardozo was renowned for his integrity, social consciousness, and written opinions. Cardozo School of Law encourages diversity and works to create an environment in which people of all identities, faiths, and cultural backgrounds are welcome, valued, and respected. The law school is especially recognized for its Intellectual Property and Information Law Program.
The Juris Doctor program combines a strong foundation in first-year legal skills and methods with a rich upper-level elective curriculum. Cardozo’s traditional J.D. program requires 84 academic credits earned over three years. Students in the Doctor of the Science of Law program must complete coursework and an advanced dissertation that makes a significant contribution to legal academic scholarship.
5. New York University School of Law (NYU Law)
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D.
We end our list of best law schools in New York with the School of Law at New York University. Established in 1835 in New York City, NYU Law is the law school of New York University. Situated in Greenwich Village, it is one of the country’s most prominent law schools. NYU Law offers more than 15 areas of study, more than 300 courses, 38 centers and institutes, more than 100 student organizations, and more than 100 full-time faculty members.
Students in the Master of Laws program can choose from more than 300 courses and may design an individualized curriculum. NYU Law also offers eight LL.M. specializations: Competition, Innovation and Information Law; Corporation Law; Environmental and Energy Law; International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration; International Legal Studies; International Taxation; Legal Theory; and Taxation.
The Doctor of Juridical Science program welcomes students interested in fields related to NYU Law faculty expertise, including International Law, Legal Theory, Tax Law, Environmental and Energy Law, Intellectual Property, Litigation and Arbitration, Competition Law, and Corporations.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, check out the available courses for international students and the USA Scholarships Page!
