• Knows the sources of law and understands the weight of legal authority.
• Acquires foundational knowledge of basic legal subjects.
• Can critically read, comprehend, analyze, and apply legal authority.
• Can identify specific legal issues presented by factual scenarios.
• Can use tools of law and policy to engage in problem-solving.
• Can design and carry out legal research projects.
• Can write with clarity, precision, and effectiveness.
• Can speak cogently about legal concepts.
• Can work as part of a team, which may include engaging in collaboration, being a team leader, and making effective use of supervision.
• Understands the fundamentals of basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact development and analysis, client counseling, negotiation, advocacy, document drafting, cross-cultural competency, organization and management of legal work, and the use of technology to aid practice.
• Understands how to develop professional expertise and appreciates the importance of maintaining competence in client representation.
• Exhibits professionalism and honors the ethical obligations of lawyers.
• Understands the way law is practiced in a variety of contexts, such as transactional practice and litigation.
• Understands the special responsibilities of lawyers to promote justice and improve the legal profession.

adopted by the faculty in May 2013
amended by the faculty in March 2017

New York State Skills Competency Requirement

The New York State Court of Appeals adopted the Skills Competency Requirement and Professional Values Bar Admission Requirement found in Section 520.18 of the Rules for Admission in December 2015. This requirement is applicable to all applicants for admission to the New York Bar who commence their legal studies on or after August 1, 2016. Pursuant to the rule, affected applicants must establish that they have acquired skills and professional values necessary to competently practice law through one of five pathways.

NYLS is committed to working with its students to satisfy the requirement. NYLS’s plan to certify its students under Pathway 1 is described in its Skills Competency Requirement summary. In addition, the School is committed to working with transfer students either to be eligible for certification under Pathway 1 or earn the requisite 15 credits through approved coursework required under Pathway 2. As with all Pro Bono Scholars, NYLS students who graduate as Pro Bono Scholars complete the new skills competency and professional values requirement pursuant to Pathway 3.

Visit the full text of Section 520.18 to the Rules for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law (22 NYCRR 520.18).