J.D. Programs

First Year Program

The first-year program of instruction is designed to examine and foster an understanding of the processes by which law is made, the institutions that make law, and the analytical skills necessary in the professional use of case law and legislation. The first-year curriculum provides a general understanding of the American legal system, sharpens the student's analytical ability and lays the foundation of the basic working skills of a lawyer.

Several first-year classes meet in large sections of approximately 80-95 students. Additionally, all full-time first-year students enroll in a seminar section, compromised of approximately 40-50 students. The smaller class size allows for a more intimate and interactive experience. Students also take two semesters of the Gateway to Lawyering courses, which begin students’ skills training with an emphasis on legal writing and research. These classes meet in small sections of approximately 20 students.

Below is a typical course distribution for a first-year student:

Summer Start Option for Incoming Students

Incoming students in the four-year program have the option to launch their legal education a semester early by taking one first-year class, Criminal Law, in the summer semester. We believe this option will facilitate the transition into law school and allow more curricular flexibility in your upperclass years as you will have already completed 4 more required credits toward completion of your J.D. program.

The semester typically begins at the end of May/beginning of July and exams run through the end of July. Prospective students who would like more information about this option can reach out to admitq@brooklaw.edu.

Upperclass Curriculum

Every year, Brooklyn Law School students engage in the extremely important process of selecting their courses and planning their upperclass programs for the following academic year. Students can choose from a rich array of classes, clinics, seminars, lawyering skills courses, and other academic offerings they wish to take during those years. Faculty members also make themselves available to counsel students on an individual and ad hoc basis.

Professional Responsibility

Students must fulfill the professional responsibility requirement by completing one of the following courses:

• Professional Responsibility (2 credits)
• Legal Profession (3 credits)
• Legal Malpractice Seminar (2 credits)

These courses analyze the duties and responsibilities of the legal profession, including its history, goals and structure, and undertake a detailed analysis and discussion of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Substantial Upper Level Writing Requirement

Students can use various writing experiences to satisfy the upper level writing requirement, including coursework in certain upper level writing courses and seminars, or independent study. This requirement is intended to provide each student with:

• A significant research experience
• An opportunity for in-depth study and analysis (involving sustained reflection) of a particular area of the law
• An opportunity to articulate his or her own ideas and evaluation of the law
• A faculty-supervised writing experience involving at least one re-write of a substantial piece of the student’s writing

All four of these goals must be met for a project to satisfy the requirement.

Additional Upper Level Writing Requirement

The additional writing requirement may be satisfied through law review and journal notes, documents prepared in Legal Drafting classes, and documents prepared in other settings approved by a faculty committee. In order to satisfy the additional requirement, the work must be the result of legal research and analysis, demonstrate the proper use of authority and must be clearly written. The work must be a minimum of 2,000 words.

Skills Training

Students must complete at least 6 credits in designated skills courses, which must include credits from at least one live-client experience. Please note that the upper level writing requirement and skills training requirement may not be fulfilled using the same course.

Extended 4-Year J.D. Program

Our 4-year extended J.D. is designed for working students who want to keep their careers on track. Classes are held in the evening after 6 pm. Learn more about this option.