The opportunity to establish a law school
Capitalizing on a Need
Binghamton University proposes to establish a law school to further New York state’s ability to provide for its residents a broad range of affordable academic and professional educational programs of the highest quality. Because there are only two public law schools in the state, a law school at Binghamton will enable us to better serve state residents wishing to pursue a professional law career. A Binghamton University law school will have an impact on not only those who enroll, but also the thousands of New Yorkers affected by the professional paths of our graduates. Our goal is to become one of the top public law schools in the nation.
Binghamton University has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and for preparing its graduates to be successful in their professional careers. The University’s arts, science and professional programs have earned a stellar reputation for educational innovation and success. For example, graduates of our Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science lead all other New York state colleges and universities in the percentage of students passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, and our Decker School of Nursing offers a PhD program unique in the nation with its emphasis on rural health.
"Law students must challenge themselves as thinkers. Binghamton’s tradition of intellectual rigor provides a superb foundation on which to build a top law school."
Owen Pell ’80
Partner, White & Case LLC
"Attorneys are among the top 10 occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree that are expected to have the most openings through 2014."
The New York State Department
of Labor Investment Board Report
A Foundation of Excellence
In the University’s third strategic planning process, President Lois B. DeFleur charged a committee of faculty, staff and students to make recommendations for strategic directions for the University that would both leverage its strengths as well as expand educational opportunities for students. After careful review of state and local needs, as well as occupational trends and demands, the committee recommended that Binghamton University create a law school.
As noted by attorney Owen Pell ’80, a partner with White & Case LLC in New York City, undergraduate students who wish to pursue a law degree must challenge themselves as writers and thinkers. The recent report by the Carnegie Foundation — Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law — underscores the fact that law students must be able to think critically.
Senior Scholar William Sullivan, lead author of the report, said, “What certainly stands out is that the dominant model in law school education is focused almost entirely on the development of thinking like a lawyer.” With Binghamton’s emphasis on critical thinking and excellent writing and problem-solving skills across all undergraduate disciplines, a law school is the next logical step in the development of the University and will draw strength from established programs while also enriching them immensely. We are confident that the caliber of legal education to be developed at the University will rival the excellence already achieved in our other professional, graduate and undergraduate programs.
The Growing Demand
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 147,096 practicing attorneys in New York state as of December 31, 2006. The Labor Bureau also reports that the employment of lawyers is expected to grow over the next decade, and there will be increased demand for legal services in the healthcare, intellectual property, venture capital, energy, elder, antitrust and environmental law arenas. Graduates with superior academic records from highly regarded law schools will have the best job opportunities, and lawyers will increasingly find work in nontraditional areas such as administrative, managerial and business positions in banks, insurance firms, real estate companies, government agencies and other organizations. The New York State Department of Labor’s Investment Board Report corroborates that the demand for lawyers is expected to grow, and attorneys are among the top 10 professional occupations expected to have the most openings through 2014.
In addition, New York state and its municipalities need well-trained government lawyers and officials who can advance and defend public interests. With this growing need for attorneys in both traditional and non-traditional areas, and only two public law schools in the state, Binghamton University is well positioned to develop high-quality legal education that is accessible to students of varying economic means. The University takes seriously its responsibility to advance the public good; the affordable tuition here will enable future law school students to graduate without inordinate debt, freeing them to choose a career in public law if they so desire.
Binghamton University’s proposal to establish a law school has support from the State University of New York (SUNY) system as well. Through its academic planning process and mission review, SUNY Chancellor John Ryan endorsed Binghamton’s proposed law school as part of the SUNY system-wide new directions and programs.
"Law is the same as any other occupation and profession. We’re losing too many people to other areas. This is just one more way to attract people to a community and keep people in the community."
Gerald Mollen ’74
Broome County District Attorney
Filling the Gap in Affordable, high-Quality
Law School Education
Statistics from Binghamton University’s Pre-Law Office 2006-07 Annual Report verify that Binghamton already annually prepares hundreds of graduates who wish to attend law school. In the most recent year for which there are statistics (the 2005-06 application year), 315 members of Binghamton University’s graduating class and alumni applied to law school. Of those, 83 percent of the graduating seniors who applied to law school were accepted, compared to the national senior acceptance rate of 71 percent. These outcomes underscore the demand that exists for a high-quality law school education in the state, in the region — and on the Binghamton University campus as well. A top, public law school at Binghamton would provide these aspiring attorneys with the opportunity to remain in the Southern Tier as they continue their education.
Many of Binghamton University’s successful law school applicants have benefited from the rigor of the University’s undergraduate programs. For example, the 293 philosophy, politics and law majors and 288 political science majors enrolled at Binghamton in fall 2006 are able to concentrate in politics and law. In addition, the University’s Institute for Philosophy, Politics and Law helps develop future attorneys by hosting visiting scholars, lecture series and informational sessions about law school. Binghamton University will build on these established programs to help shape the future of a law school that could attract the best of our graduates as well as others interested in pursuing a career in law.
An additional public law school will provide greater access to high-quality, affordable education. According to the University’s Pre-Law Office Annual Report, annual tuition and fees for top, private law schools exceed $40,000 and most law students finance their education through loans. In contrast, the two public law schools in New York state, at SUNY Buffalo and CUNY Queens, cost $13,484 and $10,521, respectively. Yet, these two public law schools enroll only 200 to 300 students. We believe an excellent-quality law school at Binghamton will attract many graduates and alumni as well as others from New York and beyond.
Benefits for Students, the Region and the State
Besides the educational and financial benefits a law school at Binghamton University would bring to students are the economic benefits it would bring to the region and state. Standard economic projection formulas indicate new expenditures by additional faculty, staff and students would reach $10 million annually within five years, with an estimated annual economic impact of $26.4 million on the region and $33.7 million on New York State. The additional dollars flowing into the economy would support new jobs in the region. Both the region and state will benefit economically from the influx of faculty, staff and students associated with the school.
Additionally, the presence of new faculty, staff and students will increase the intellectual capital of the Greater Binghamton area, further stimulating economic growth. Their knowledge and expertise should enhance the attractiveness of the region to businesses that could relocate to the area. In addition, most law schools offer continuing education programs along with their degree programs and these post-graduate legal education opportunities would serve the region as well as bring other visitors to the area on a regular basis.
A law school will enhance the University’s growing visibility and reputation, and enhance other programs at the same time. Legal education complements programs in business, economics, history, philosophy, political science, public administration, sociology and social work. Such interdisciplinary work would increase the University’s excellence and thereby increase the ability of the University to attract other outstanding faculty, students and staff.
A Commitment to Quality
Binghamton University is fully cognizant of the resources and investment required to establish a high-caliber law school; we believe that the benefits that will accrue to the individuals who attain their juris doctor degree, the institutions that hire them and the state fully justify the investment. Our intent is to establish a model law school whose visibility and reputation will attract an accomplished dean and faculty to provide the first-class law education applicants demand. Our focus on excellence and an appropriate curriculum will help us meet and exceed American Bar Association accreditation standards.
Next Steps
Binghamton University has hired a consultant to work with the campus on a comprehensive study with two purposes: first, to position the proposed new program and school appropriately, for the University and the state; and second, to develop a plan for a sustainable base of support for the academic excellence to which we aspire.
The University asks for your support for this bold initiative. We trust that you concur that a law school at Binghamton would benefit the University, the community and the state. We ask that you voice your support to local, regional and state business, professional and political leaders.
For additional information, go to http://think.binghamton.edu.
"As Binghamton University establishes a respected law school, the region and New York state will benefit economically from the influx of new people to support it."
George Akel
Member, Greater Binghamton Coalition and
Broome County Industrial Development Agency