Senate Resolution No. 1702

BY: Senator COONEY

COMMEMORATING the 175th Anniversary of Albany Law
School

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those exemplary institutions of higher education within the
State of New York for their enduring commitment to the pursuit of
academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
175th Anniversary of Albany Law School, to be celebrated on April 17,
2026, in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Albany Law School was established on April 17, 1851, and is
the oldest independent law school in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Albany Law School was founded, initially as an experiment,
by Amos Dean, Ira Harris, and Amasa J. Parker; the trio imagined a law
school that was more than memorization, but rather a place that
transformed the classroom into a place of inquiry, dialogue, and
preparation for real-world practice through an informal clerkship model
with structured lectures and faculty-led study; and

WHEREAS, In the 175 years since its founding, Albany Law School has
become a world-renowned institution for the study of law, shown an
established commitment to serving the Capital Region community and New
York State through pro bono efforts and community engagement, and has
educated thousands of lawyers and legal professionals ranging from, but
not limited to, those in the private sector, the public sector,
including legislators, legislative staff, members of the executive
branch, and members of the judiciary; and

WHEREAS, The impact of Albany Law School on the practice of law is
seen nationwide through influential faculty scholarship, landmark cases
litigated by our graduates, and through alumni serving in public service
roles and for adjacent and relevant agencies; and

WHEREAS, Albany Law School continues to innovate and expand
offerings within its mission through clinical learning experiences in
the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center, public service and research
opportunities in the Government Law Center, numerous internships and
externship offerings, accessible academic programs like the Flex Juris
Doctor program and fully online Master's and LL.M offerings; and

WHEREAS, With great admiration, this Legislative Body is proud to
pay tribute to this eminent institution which stands at the threshold of
the future with its legacy of outstanding achievements and its
impressive body of distinguished alumni; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 175th Albany Law School; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Government Law Center Director Patrick Wildes and Albany
Law School President and Dean, Cinnamon Carlarne.