New England School of Law: An Overview of the Law School's Programs and Highlights

Summary

New England School of Law (NESL) is a private, non-profit law school located in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1908, NESL offers a variety of legal programs and degrees, including the Juris Doctor (JD), the Master of Laws (LLM), and the Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD). The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.


NESL has an impressive record of accomplishments, with a high bar passage rate and a growing number of alumni who have gone on to successful law careers. The school offers a full range of legal education, from trial practice to intellectual property, with an emphasis on experiential learning and real-world experience. Students at NESL can take advantage of a variety of clinical opportunities, internships, and externships. The school also offers a number of joint degree programs, including a JD/MBA, a JD/LLM, and a JD/MPA.

NESL is committed to providing an excellent legal education to its students. The school offers a rigorous curriculum that covers a range of topics from constitutional law to criminal law. The faculty at NESL is comprised of respected professionals from a variety of legal backgrounds, and courses are offered in both traditional and online formats. NESL also offers a number of seminars and lectures, including the popular "Lunch and Learn" series.

NESL provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical legal experience in a supportive environment. The faculty and staff are committed to providing individualized attention and assistance, and the school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student organizations, volunteer opportunities, and publications. In addition, NESL has an active alumni network, providing students with access to a wealth of opportunities.

New England School of Law (NESL) is a private, non-profit law school located in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1908, NESL has a proven track record of excellence and offers a variety of legal programs and degrees, such as the Juris Doctor (JD), the Master of Laws (LLM), and the Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD). The courses are rigorous and cover a range of topics from constitutional law to criminal law, and the faculty is comprised of respected professionals from a variety of legal backgrounds. NESL is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The school also offers a number of joint degree programs, clinical opportunities, internships, and externships. In addition, students at NESL can benefit from a variety of extracurricular activities, such as student organizations, volunteer opportunities, and publications, and have access to an active alumni network.
 

New England Law: A Path to Personal Success

New England Law, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the nation's premier law schools for students seeking a legal education. This prestigious institution offers a wide variety of classes, from constitutional law to taxation, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the art and science of the law. Additionally, New England Law offers a unique curriculum that includes legal writing, public speaking, and trial advocacy.
 

Benefits of Attending New England Law

New England Law provides students with a range of valuable benefits, including a high-quality, challenging education with the opportunity to hone their skills through personal interactions with professors. Students have access to an expansive library and resources, including an alumni association, a career center, and a variety of extracurricular activities. These amenities allow students to explore their interests, network with professionals, and establish strong relationships with their peers.
 

Preparing for the Future at New England Law

Upon completion of the program, students are well-equipped to succeed in their chosen field of study, as the institution emphasizes the importance of career development and provides a comprehensive learning environment that promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and professional development. New England Law graduates are highly sought after by employers and have the opportunity to pursue meaningful careers in the legal profession.
 

New England Law: A Fulfilling Legal Education

New England Law is a leader in legal education and provides students with the knowledge, training, and resources they need to succeed in their chosen field. Each semester, students learn from esteemed faculty in a stimulating and supportive environment. The school offers a wide variety of courses, activities, and extracurricular activities that allow students to explore their interests and gain a deeper understanding of the law and its applications.

From its humble beginnings as a private little school with two female students and one tutor, the New England School of Law has grown into a progressive and flexible institution. In addition to its full-time curriculum, this Boston school offers a special program for parents with child-rearing duties and other programs designed to accommodate the schedules of its students.

It began in 1908, when two Boston women wanted to take the Massachusetts bar exam in an era when it wasn't easy for women to do so. A local attorney named Arthur MacLean agreed to tutor them, and over the next few years, several other female students joined in as well. A school was eventually established and named the Portia Law School, after Shakespeare's heroine in The Merchant of Venice. It was the only law school in the nation founded exclusively for the education of women.

The first commencement took place three years later in 1911, and by 1920, Portia graduates were receiving LL.B. degrees. The only women who passed the December 1921 Bar Exam were all graduates of Portia. In 1922, when the school moved into its first permanent building in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, enrollment had reached 228. Portia went co-ed in 1939 and changed its name to New England School of Law (NESL) in 1969, when accreditation was granted by the American Bar Association. Currently, the school resides in Boston's Park Square area.

With that rich history and its roots in providing legal education for women, it's no wonder that NESL has continued to cater its courses to the needs of its students. There are four main divisions in which students can enroll. One is the full-time day division where students can earn their J.D. degrees in the standard three years / six semesters. The part-time divisions (day or night classes) accommodate those students who need to work while pursuing their legal education. This curriculum is designed for students to earn their degrees in four years.

The most unique division, however, is a special part-time division for parents. These students design their own schedule and can take up to six years to complete their degrees. The program began in the 1970s and has become quite popular, despite the fact that it's quite an exclusive division to get into. Admittance to this division is limited and selective, and prospective parent-students must demonstrate exceptional qualifications and the dedication it takes to study law independently.

The NESL website notes that in an article on parents in law school, Student Lawyer, the magazine of the American Bar Association's Law Student Division, described NESL as being "on the cutting edge in terms of meeting the needs of students who are parents."

The school employs about 35 full-time professors covering many relevant practice areas. An additional 55 adjuncts also teach as well. First-year students take the basic required courses such as Torts and Contracts, but after that, NESL offers a good variety of electives. Some of these include European Union Law, Domestic Violence, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, and Contemporary Popular Criticism of Lawyers and the Legal System, among others.

NESL has produced alumni whose contributions have enhanced the legal communities of Boston and the region. Early alumnae broke barriers that had impeded the entry of women into the profession, and in doing so, they have paved the way for future generations of women lawyers. In addition, many male lawyers have graduated from the school and have gone on to great legal careers.

The school also offers several exciting programs, including a summer program in Galway, Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the Consortium for Innovative Legal Education. The school's New England Law Review is a student-run organization, with four issues published per year. The Review also sponsors a day-long symposium concerning a current legal topic that generally provides continuing legal education credit.

Students enjoy a wide variety of culture in the Boston area. From historical Revolutionary War sites to the modern call of major sports teams, Boston offers it all. NESL is located in the heart of the city's theater district, an area that also boasts a variety of restaurants. The school is just one block from the Public Garden, with its formal flower gardens and charming Swan Boats.

Besides its multitude of entertainment offerings, Boston is also a center of professional activity in law and business. NESL's two buildings are within walking distance of the State House and state and federal courthouses. The attorney general, district attorney, and a wide range of state and federal administrative agencies have nearby offices as well.

The offices of many prominent Boston law firms are also close by. Not only does that place students in an environment where law is being practiced and activities of interest to lawyers are numerous, but it also opens up extensive possibilities for clinical placements, clerkships, part-time employment, and research.