Apply Now: New York Legal Education Opportunity Program (NY LEO) 2026 Cohort Applications

The New York Legal Education Opportunity Program is designed to prepare students entering law school with the tools needed for academic success in law school. Through an intense five-week summer program, NY LEO assists college graduates in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school. The NY LEO Program is administered by the Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute and Salihah R. Denman, J.D., LL.M., Director of NY LEO. All classes and activities are administered and implemented at the New York State Judicial Institute. Students live on the Judicial Institute’s campus and participate in the program full-time. Experienced law professors provide instruction in first-year law school core courses as well as in legal research, writing and analysis. As part of the program, NY LEO Fellows will also have the opportunity to visit courts in session and meet with members of the judiciary and other legal professionals.

Since 2007, the NY LEO Program has assisted college graduates who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in the law in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school. The program is available to qualified candidates who are residents of New York State. 

The December 1st and January 1st deadlines have passed, but please see below for the spring dates of Cohort Interviews and their application deadlines:

To learn more about the NY LEO and how to apply visit  http://ww2.nycourts.gov/attorneys/leo.

2022 NY Legal Education Opportunity Program

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission is pleased to share information about the 2022 NY Legal Education Opportunity Program (NY LEO):

The application portal is open for the NY Legal Education Opportunity Program Class of 2022! 

NY LEO immerses students that are educationally and/or economically disadvantaged, and/or from groups traditionally underrepresented in the law, to the rigors of the first year of law school; 1L experience.

The 6-week intensive program runs from June 5 – July 14, 2022, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, located on Pace University’s campus in White Plains, NY. Students must apply online, see the tab, “LEO Fellow Application” on the NY LEO website (http://ww2.nycourts.gov/attorneys/leo).

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by May 6. Please share information about NY LEO with your networks.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:

NYLEO@nycourts.gov or by telephone at (914) 824-5800.

Submit Your Application for the 2019 New York Legal Education Opportunity Program

The New York State Judicial Institute will host the 2019 New York Legal Education Opportunity Program (NY LEO) on the campus of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, located in White Plains, NY, June 3-July 12, 2019. The program is designed to ensure a diverse legal community by promoting academic success in law school for individuals historically underrepresented in the legal profession.

Through an intense six-week summer program, NY LEO assists minority, low income, and economically or educationally disadvantaged college graduates in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school.

NY LEO is administered by the Honorable Juanita Bing Newton, Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute. Admissions are rolling. For more information about this free program and eligibility requirements, visit: www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/leo, call: 914.824.5800, or email: NYLEO@nycourts.gov.