Founded in 1891, NYLS is an independent law school located in Tribeca—the heart of New York City’s legal, government, financial, and emerging tech centers. Campus is steps from the courts, government agencies, Wall Street businesses, law firms, and tech companies. NYLS proudly embraces the city as its classroom and has adopted the motto "We are New York’s law school." NYLS offers full-time and part-time J.D. programs, as well as an LL.M. in Taxation program. The School enrolls around 1,100 students. 

From early in NYLS’s history, the School has welcomed people of all backgrounds, and its graduates have distinguished themselves as builders, icons, and visionaries. Early alumni were among the founders or name partners of several prominent law firms, including Proskauer, Davis Polk, Jackson Lewis, Milbank, and Paul, Weiss; others achieved historic firsts in law, business, and government. Today, alumni serve in all levels of the judiciary, in large and small law firms, as global leaders in industry, and as national and local elected officials.

During 2015 and 2016, NYLS celebrated its 125th Anniversary, a tribute to its rich history and a look ahead to its vision for the next 125 years. During 2019, NYLS’s Evening Division celebrated its 125th year.