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Touro Law offers small practice law concentration, changes 1L curriculum

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The Touro College – Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center’s new concentration in Solo & Small Practice Law is now available to part-time and full-time students. 

Launched in fall 2014, the New York law school’s concentration was created in response to data indicating that many lawyers have shifted interests in working for large law firms to smaller firms.

“Our administration and faculty realize the importance of keeping our curriculum in line with student preferences and employment trends,” said Dean Patricia Salkin. “I am pleased that we are able to offer this concentration in response to the realities of legal practice today. In fact, roughly one third of each graduating Touro Law class enters into a solo or small practice within nine months of graduation, and this is consistent with national estimates of the number of lawyers in this practice setting.”

The concentration, which works in conjunction with the law school’s Portals to Practice program, immerses students in skill development courses. The Portals to Practice program, also launched in August 2014, is a five-year strategic plan working towards restructuring the law school’s approach to legal education.

First-year students with the Solo & Small Practice Law concentration will be paired with alumni mentors who work in small law firms. Students are also encouraged to gain experience through pro bono work, externships and clinical opportunities. Students will work in areas often handled by small or solo practitioners including matrimonial, landlord/tenant and misdemeanor crimes.

“I believe the combination of law school training in solo and small practice coupled with and real life application through our incubator and International Center for Post-Graduate Development will provide unique synergies for our students and alumni and provide a stand out opportunity,” Salkin said.

Students earning the Solo & Small Practice Law concentration must complete 27 credits in certain courses including two new courses: “Law by the Numbers – Numerical Literacy” and “Selected Topics in Ethics for Solo and Small Firm Practice.” Students with this concentration must also enroll in a related clinic.

 “Solo and small firm practice requires more than doctrinal knowledge,” said Professor Meredith Miller. “Through this concentrated area of study, students will have opportunities to put doctrine to practice, build confidence, forge a professional identity and gain valuable knowledge concerning the business of operating a law practice. This will give students a definite edge upon graduation and help them to attain their dreams of operating a solo or small firm practice.”

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