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LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
New England School of Law [by Tom Horne] From its origins as a school devoted to teaching law to women in the early 20th century to its current status as one of the few schools that offers an innovative part time program for parents, New England School of Law has consistently remained on the cutting edge of legal education.
European Union Law, Domestic Violence, In-
From its humble beginnings as a private little
that NESL has continued to cater its courses
school with two female students and one
to the needs of its students. There are four
digenous Peoples’ Rights, and Contemporary
tutor, the New England School of Law has
main divisions in which students can enroll.
Popular Criticism of Lawyers and the Legal
grown into a progressive and flexible institu-
One is the full-time day division where
System, among others.
tion. In addition to its full-time curriculum,
students can earn their J.D. degrees in the
this Boston school offers a special program
standard three years / six semesters. The
NESL has produced alumni whose contribu-
for parents with child-rearing duties and
part-time divisions (day or night classes) ac-
tions have enhanced the legal communities
other programs designed to accommodate
commodate those students who need to work
of Boston and the region. Early alumnae
the schedules of its students.
while pursuing their legal education. This
broke barriers that had impeded the entry
curriculum is designed for students to earn
of women into the profession, and in do-
their degrees in four years.
ing so, they have paved the way for future
It began in 1908, when two Boston women wanted to take the Massachusetts bar exam
generations of women lawyers. In addition,
in an era when it wasn’t easy for women to do
The most unique division, however, is a
many male lawyers have graduated from
so. A local attorney named Arthur MacLean
special part-time division for parents. These
the school and have gone on to great legal
agreed to tutor them, and over the next few
students design their own schedule and
careers.
years, several other female students joined
can take up to six years to complete their
in as well. A school was eventually estab-
degrees. The program began in the 1970s
The school also offers several exciting
lished and named the Portia Law School,
and has become quite popular, despite the
programs, including a summer program in
after Shakespeare’s heroine in The Merchant
fact that it’s quite an exclusive division to get
Galway, Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish
of Venice. It was the only law school in the
into. Admittance to this division is limited and
Centre for Human Rights and the Consortium
nation founded exclusively for the education
selective, and prospective parent-students
for Innovative Legal Education. The school’s
of women.
must demonstrate exceptional qualifica-
New England Law Review is a student-run
tions and the dedication it takes to study law
organization, with four issues published per
independently.
year. The Review also sponsors a day-long
The first commencement took place three
symposium concerning a current legal topic
years later in 1911, and by 1920, Portia graduates were receiving LL.B. degrees.
The NESL website notes that in an article on
that generally provides continuing legal
The only women who passed the December
parents in law school, Student Lawyer, the
education credit.
1921 Bar Exam were all graduates of Portia.
magazine of the American Bar Association’s
In 1922, when the school moved into its
Law Student Division, described NESL as be-
Students enjoy a wide variety of culture in the
first permanent building in the Beacon Hill
ing “on the cutting edge in terms of meeting
Boston area. From historical Revolutionary
neighborhood, enrollment had reached 228.
the needs of students who are parents.”
War sites to the modern call of major sports teams, Boston offers it all. NESL is located
Portia went co-ed in 1939 and changed its name to New England School of Law (NESL)
The school employs about 35 full-time
in the heart of the city’s theater district, an
in 1969, when accreditation was granted by
professors covering many relevant practice
area that also boasts a variety of restaurants.
the American Bar Association. Currently, the
areas. An additional 55 adjuncts also teach
The school is just one block from the Public
school resides in Boston’s Park Square area.
as well. First-year students take the basic
Garden, with its formal flower gardens and
required courses such as Torts and Con-
charming Swan Boats.
With that rich history and its roots in provid-
tracts, but after that, NESL offers a good
ing legal education for women, it’s no wonder
variety of electives. Some of these include
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Besides its multitude of entertainment offer-
continued on back
LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
ings, Boston is also a center of professional activity in law and business. NESL’s two buildings are within walking distance of the State House and state and federal courthouses. The attorney general, district attorney, and a wide range of state and federal administrative agencies have nearby offices as well. The offices of many prominent Boston law firms are also close by. Not only does that place students in an environment where law is being practiced and activities of interest to lawyers are numerous, but it also opens up extensive possibilities for clinical placements, clerkships, part-time employment, and research.
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