Your Journey Starts Here
‘‘
— Dean Kathleen M. Boozang ‘‘ Seton Hall prepares lawyers whose careers will have impact.
WELCOME MESSAGE FROM OUR DEAN
You’ll be surprised to find out that choosing a law school is much easier than you think. Every school has a culture, and the key is to find the culture that reflects your values. I believe that law school should be a great experience. It should be a place where you thrive, and are your best self. The faculty and administration of Seton Hall Law steward an ethos that attends to the whole person, encourages you to balance the professional with the personal, and urges you to discover your passion. We also want you to make a difference.
Seton Hall prepares lawyers whose careers will have impact. No matter the pathway you choose, you will find faculty ready to prepare you, Career Services professionals with the experience to launch you, and alumni eager to welcome you. Our mantra, One Student at a Time, inspires us to support you in the pursuit of your aspirations. Seton Hall Lawyers can be found in the world’s largest law firms, in-house with Fortune 500 companies, and owners of their own firms. Seton Hall Law is proud of its strong legacy of alumni in public service -- as US Attorneys, Governor, Secretary of the VA, and federal and state judges. Legions of alumni have used their legal training to become part of the corporate C-Suite, finance executives, and key players in the sports, gaming and entertainment industries. Seton Hall Law has a strong reputation in health and life sciences, IP, privacy, and employment/labor law.
But the Seton Hall Lawyer is something more. No matter their primary occupation, the Seton Hall Lawyer engages in service to others, whether it by representing indigent clients, serving on nonprofit boards, or sitting on their town council. Seton Hall Lawyers lead. They give back. They live to make a difference.
That differentiation starts now. We are excited to introduce you to our faculty, students, and alumni. You will quickly see how our One Student at a Time approach makes the Seton Hall Law experience special.
I look forward to meeting you.
Dean and Professor of Law
THE SETON HALL LAW DIFFERENCE:
One Student at a Time
The phrase “student-centered” can mean many things. At Seton Hall Law, it describes our focus on each student as an individual — someone with their own history, responsibilities, and aspirations. Seton Hall Law focuses on the whole person, urging our students to balance their personal and professional lives. Seton Hall Law faculty and professional administrators partner with students to discover their passion in the law – both the area of law in which they want to practice, and the context of practice that is the best fit – on either side of the Hudson or Mississippi Rivers! We also support the aspirations of the increasing number of students pursuing a law degree for careers in business, finance, privacy, compliance, cybersecurity, and HR. Our “one student at a time” ethos provides students an opportunity-rich environment in which to curate their own educational and professional experience.
JOIN THE FAMILY
Noel Thomas
Associate, Dentons US LLP
Class of 2016
From an early age, Noel wanted to become a lawyer. “I wrote it down on an index card when I was in middle school,” he says. So after earning his undergrad degree in finance, he knew what he wanted in a law school. “Job placement was number one,” he says. “But also proximity to the financial institutions in New York City — because I wanted to go into transactional law.”
From his first visit, Noel recalls that Seton Hall Law felt like home. “I felt like part of the family,” he says. “My parents immigrated to the U.S. from India, so the vast majority of my class did not look like me.”
Nevertheless, from the dean to the security desk staff, “everyone was welcoming and supportive,” Noel says. “Faculty and fellow students quickly became collaborators and friends. I always felt that Seton Hall Law was my ally.”
THE SETON HALL LAW DIFFERENCE:
Faculty Engagement & Collaboration
The Seton Hall Law faculty puts students first. This is most obviously evident in the high value we place on outstanding teaching and accessibility to students. Every One L student has a mid-term exam – we don’t believe your final exam should be your first exam experience. Every student then has an individual meeting with their professor to review the exam and receive guidance before beginning to prepare for finals. The faculty’s tremendous scholarly productivity means that classes cover legal questions arising from new markets that haven’t yet been considered by courts or legislatures. Seton Hall Law professors are internationally recognized and highly regarded in their respective fields of specialty including business and finance, public interest and service, privacy and cybersecurity, energy, gaming, sports and entertainment, and health and life sciences law. Dynamic, talented and accomplished, this diverse group of scholars and practitioners is unified by a commitment to provide both academic excellence and professional mentorship — one student at a time — helping students to achieve their personal aspirations and ultimate career paths.
COLLABORATION AND CO-CREATION
Michael Coenen Professor of Law
For professor Michael Coenen, the superior value of the Seton Hall Law experience comes from students’ tremendous intellectual energy, the school’s extraordinary commitment to the craft of teaching, and the intensely collaborative culture that brings them all together.
True to the school’s “one student at a time” philosophy, Michael recently worked with a student to develop a class-assigned paper into a full-length law review article. “We’ve gone through five or six iterations of the paper, each a substantial improvement over the previous one,” he says. “It’s been really satisfying to watch the evolution of a strong student paper into a genuine contribution to the academic literature.”
Student Organizations
AND CO-CURRICULAR GROUPS
Seton Hall Law students can choose from more than 40 student organizations and groups representing a full spectrum of personal and professional interests.
n American Constitution Society (ACS)
n Arab Law Students Association
n Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
n Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA)
n Corporate Law Society (CLS)
n Criminal Law Society
n Seton Hall Law Democratic Society
n Dispute Resolution Society
n Employment Law Forum (ELF)
n Entertainment & Sports Law Society (ESLS)
n Environmental Law Society (ELS)
n Family Law Society
n Federalist Society
n First Generation Law Students Association
n Health Law Forum
n Immigration Law Society
n Intellectual Property Law Association (IPLA)
n International Law Society (ILS)
n Interscholastic Moot Court Board
SHARING VALUE, AND VALUES
Richard Winchester Professor of Law
n Irish American Law Students Association (IALSA)
n Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
n LAMBDA Law Alliance
n Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA)
n Master of Science in Jurisprudence Organization (MSJ)
n Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA)
n National Lawyers Guild
n Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)
n Public Interest Network (PIN)
n Real Estate Law Society
n Seton Hall Law Republicans
n Rodino Society
n Sports Club
n St. Thomas More Society
n Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
n Student Bar Association
n Student Veterans Association
n Tax Law Society (TLS)x
n Women’s Law Forum (WLF)
As a national authority on small business and federal employment tax policy – and former international tax attorney for PricewaterhouseCoopers – Professor Richard Winchester recognizes self-motivation and achievement. And he’s delighted to be surrounded by it at Seton Hall Law.
“The students here are hungry,” he says. “They keep me on my toes.” He adds that it’s not purely self-interest at play. “The people here look out for each other — there’s a sense of shared purpose.” Perhaps in part that’s due to the emphasis on ethics, which Professor Winchester says runs throughout the curriculum.
“We’re not just training lawyers,” he says. “We’re training ethical lawyers who appreciate the social justice impact that their choices will have.”
The Seton Hall Law Network
No matter where in the country you want to practice, or what your interest, the Seton Hall Law network will be there for you. The minute you identify as a Seton Hall Law student, you are embraced by a community of Seton Hall Lawyers whose loyalty is unmatched. The Seton Hall Law alumni are accessible to provide mentorship, facilitate networking, and to partner with you to strategize your career. You are welcomed for life into a community whose bonds support you through your entire career. Seton Hall Law hires Seton Hall Law.
Academic Success Offerings
Through targeted workshops, academic coaching, and strategic advising, Seton Hall Law provides wide-ranging support to optimize students’ academic efforts. Topics include healthy study strategies, exam preparation, academic goals, time management and organization. Competence in these areas equips students for future success, both in academics and beyond.
Bar Examination Preparation
Irrespective of whether a student plans on the long-term, post-graduate goal of law practice or doing something else entirely with their law degree, Seton Hall Law urges every graduate to sit for the bar. As such, its curriculum incorporates substantial practical training and strategies for bar exam preparation. Students benefit from current, expert insights into bar exam process and format so that they fully understand how best to prepare, study for, and successfully navigate this pivotal moment in their legal careers.
The effectiveness of bar preparation training at Seton Hall Law is evident in our bar passage rate of 90.4% (July 2019).
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are Cornerstone Values
Seton Hall Law is committed to producing lawyers from underrepresented communities. We are invested in transforming our profession and value diversity in all its forms - cultural, religious, ethnic, and gender as well as thought and perspective. Diversity is the lens through which we analyze both doctrine and our systems of justice. Engagement from students of different economic and educational backgrounds, geographic regions, and perspectives enriches our understanding of the history of the law, as well as its ability to achieve justice and equity. Creating a class of students with different histories enables Seton Hall Law to produce lawyers who will come to their clients with empathy. Knowing that inequity exists is the necessary condition precedent to reform. Understanding the human impact of injustice inspires the passion for change.
Explore Newark
Seton Hall Law is located just 8 miles west of Manhattan in Newark, NJ. Newark is part of the largest legal market in the nation and is home to federal, state, and county courthouses and leading law firms. One of the country’s largest transportation hubs, the Northern New Jersey region also houses top global corporations across all industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and technology.
Located in downtown Newark, the Law School is within a few short blocks of the Prudential Center, the Newark Museum, the New Jersey Center for Performing Arts, and the Ironbound — giving students convenient access to sporting events, concerts, world-renowned works of art, and wonderful food.
Outcome Focused
One Student at a Time, we empower individuals to think beyond landing a job to launching a career.
Seton Hall Law proudly reports our OVERALL BAR PASSAGE RATE
90.44% for first-time New York and New Jersey test-takers in July 2019
We also have the 3rd BEST PASS RATE among New York law schools and THE BEST RATE among New Jersey law schools for July 2019 Uniform Bar Exam, with a combined 94.26%* of #
ABA EMPLOYMENT DATA - CLASS OF 2019
Employment status as of 10 months after graduation. Total: 140 graduates with all reporting.
ABA EMPLOYMENT DATA - CLASS OF 2018
Employment status as of 10 months after graduation. Total: 167 graduates with all reporting.
PROBONO
Number of hours Seton Hall Law students provided in clinics and other pro bono service through the Center for Social Justice in 2018-19
17,500
CLASS OF 2018 POST-CLERKSHIP RESULTS
Information from 92 graduates in the Class of 2018 who clerked after graduation. for graduate placement in state and local clerkships
The National Law Journal ranks Seton Hall Law
Real Client Training
CLINICS AND PRO BONO
Seton Hall Law offers students multiple opportunities to develop their practical skills and gain hands-on experience by working in real lawyering contexts. Through clinics, externships, and the pro bono program, students provide thousands of hours of service to individuals and the community.
Center for Social Justice Clinics and Programs:
n Civil Litigation and Practice
n Equal Justice
n Family law
n Immigrants’ Rights/International Human Rights
n Impact Litigation
n Health Justice – Medical Legal Partnership
n Pro Bono Service Program
n CSJ Scholars
Conflict Management Program:
n Investor Advocacy Project
n District of New Jersey Representation in Settlement Conference Practicum
n Southern District of New York Representation in Mediation Practicum
n Last Resort Exoneration Project
EXPLORATION WITH IMPACT
Kerdesha Désir
Rising 3rd year student, CSJ Scholar
Interested in child protection and welfare, Kerdesha spent a summer shadowing a sheriff’s child protection investigator in Tampa, Florida. Seeing cases firsthand, she witnessed the complexity of issues involved — many of them legal. “I realized I could have greater impact and do more good working at the legal level.”
Her interest in family law put Seton Hall Law on Kerdesha’s shortlist. “I was looking for public interest strength and bar passage,” she says. “but also smaller school size — they care to know you, and they care about helping you cultivate your profession.”
Kerdesha describes the Seton Hall Law atmosphere as challenging, but not intimidating. “It’s OK not to know things,” she says. “The professors are happy to do foundational work.” And in doing so, she points out, “they prompt you to build on concepts and think beyond the classroom.”
Beyond the campus itself, Kerdesha enjoys the Newark setting. “Professionally, being so close to NYC and the Seton Hall Law network is priceless,” she says, “but personally, I love the Newark neighborhoods — they’re dynamic, diverse and full of history.”
Def ining the Cutting Edge of the Industry
Intro to Lawyering
During 1L year, students take a six-credit year-long Introduction to Lawyering course designed to provide students with opportunities to exercise and receive intensive feedback on a broad range of practical lawyering skills including research, writing, interviewing, counseling, negotiation, and oral advocacy. Throughout the course, Intro to Lawyering professors continue to work with students as they develop core legal research, writing and communication skills. Students also explore issues of cross-cultural humility within the legal profession: how cross-cultural differences can impact the practice of law, and why building an awareness of cultural assumptions is essential to becoming a better counselor and advocate for your client.
Business courses for lawyers
IN THE NETWORK NOW
Joseph
DiCarlo
Associate, Paul Hastings LLP Class of 2018
Before deciding on a career in law, Joe considered becoming a meteorologist or possibly a tornado chaser. But, with a knack for the liberal arts, speaking in front of other people and negotiating, he was drawn to the possibilities of corporate law.
Accepted at seven law schools, Joe had a tough choice. “It was the hardest decision of my life,” he says. During that process, Joe visited Seton Hall Law three times. “The first time didn’t seem real,” he says. “Everyone was so friendly, I couldn’t quite believe it — so I kept going back.” By the third visit, Joe says, he was getting to know the faculty, and already feeling like a member of the community.
In their 2L year, students are required to complete two business-related courses: Financial Concepts for Lawyers (1 credit) and Business Associations (4 credits). Given the nature of contemporary legal practice, the Seton Hall Law faculty believes these courses are necessary to equip all
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Two years since earning his law degree, Joe still values that community. “From faculty to students to alumni, everyone wants you to succeed,” he says. “Even now, in the professional setting, I appreciate the strength and support of the Seton Hall Law network.”
future lawyers with basic business law knowledge and an understanding of key financial concepts and tools. Seton Hall also has a robust set of business, finance, and corporate law electives for those interested in delving deeper into these areas.
Concentrations
As society has become more complex, demand for specialists has increased. To help students prepare for today’s sophisticated legal landscape, Seton Hall Law offers three concentrations – Health Law, Law and Technology (which includes entertainment law and intellectual property), and Compliance. Students can specialize in one of these designated areas of law by taking a core curriculum developed by Seton Hall Law faculty in consultation with attorneys and government officials working in the field.
ADVOCATING FOR ALL, PROMOTING UNITY
Fr.
Nicholas Gengaro
Chaplain
Father Gengaro performs the many standard duties of a chaplain but he serves the school community in other important ways, too. “I provide an understanding, neutral listening ear,” he says. “I represent the Gospel by being attentive to people’s experience and how I may be of service to them. Students come to me with issues of all types, from academic to relationships to overall life adjustments.”
He points out that his support and counsel extends to the entire school community. “I’m here for everyone — of all faiths and all beliefs,” he says. “I enjoy meeting people. Human beings fascinate me.” He reinforces that notion with a quote from his annual orientation address:
“While this institution is proud of its Catholic identity … women and men of all faiths, as well as individuals who profess no faith, are valued members of the Law School community. Mutual respect tends toward unity and unity is what this world so sorely needs.”
PROGRAM OFFERINGS:
Join our Community your Way
Seton Hall Law offers an unparalleled legal education complete with hands-on experiential learning opportunities where students can take advantage of a curriculum designed by forwardthinking professors and pursue a degree that fits their professional interests. From JD programs to our online degree offering, Seton Hall Law provides students an array of options:
Full-Time JD Program:
The full-time JD program is geared towards students who want to make law school a priority. Our worldclass facility ensures our students have a space that is fully-equipped for them to succeed. Seton Hall Law
ILLUMINATION, SUPPORT & STRENGTH
Margaret Lewis Professor of Law
supports students in finding their unique professional path through and then works to ensure that the student graduates into employment that aligns with their aspirations. A Seton Hall Law degree offers limitless opportunities.
Weekend JD Program:
The part-time Weekend JD Program is an ABAaccredited hybrid program enabling professionals to balance work, life, and law school. Students spend alternating weekends on campus each semester and engage in asynchronous online coursework while off-campus. Weekend students
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To describe the atmosphere of Seton Hall Law, Professor Margaret Lewis looks to the natural light that brightens the campus interiors. “There’s an illuminated openness,” she says, “that reflects the energy of the place, among both students and faculty.”
That open, enlightened atmosphere fosters a distinctive positivity. “Law can be demanding and high-stress,” she says. “But Seton Hall Law is a nurturing community.” The support systems, she says, are academic as well as emotional. The school has a serious commitment to effective teaching. “Faculty aren’t just leading practitioners of law,” she says. “Seton Hall Law invests in making us better educators.”
A critical part of effective teaching, she says, is individuation. “Students are not generic,” she says. “Each is here for a reason — fully formed or not — and we’re here to help them find their path and advance along it.”
The combination of law expertise, teaching skill and individual engagement results in a high-value education. “We will make you strong,” Maggie says. “We help give you the tools to be a lawyer with whom people want to work.”
have the same academic and co-curricular opportunities as full-time students.The program is designed to take four years, but may be accelerated. More information about the Weekend JD Program can be found at law. shu.edu/weekend.
LEO Fellows
The Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) program provides a pathway and transition to law school for students who have demonstrated resiliency and perseverance in the face of social, economic, educational, or other challenges and who bring talent, determination, and leadership skills to the law school community. LEO’s success relies on mentoring opportunities, academic enrichment, and a support network for personal and professional growth. More information about the LEO Program can be found at law.shu.edu/LEO.
Non JD Offerings
M.S.J. (Master of Science in Jurisprudence)
Health and Hospital Law
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Law & Compliance
Intellectual Property Law
Financial Ser vices Compliance
Privacy Law
Graduate Certificates
Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Law & Compliance
Health & Hospital Law
Intellectual Property Law
Financial Ser vices Compliance
Privacy Law and Cyber Security Compliance Programs
Healthcare Compliance Certificate
Gaming Law, Compliance, and Integrity
Data Privacy Compliance
LL.M. (Master of Laws)
WELCOME BACK –AND FORWARD Sandra Applebaum
Class of 2020
Having practiced medicine for nearly 20 years, Sandra Applebaum, M.D., was ready for a change and a challenge. But she had some reservations about returning to a student role. “I hadn’t been in school for a long time,” she says, “so I wasn’t sure how I would fit in.”
She was pleased to discover, however, a welcoming culture among both student and faculty. “I was treated with care,” she says. “Seton Hall Law does everything in their power to support your success.”
With her medical background, Sandra thought medical malpractice would be an obvious fit. But through internships and coursework, she discovered a new passion. “I took a course in intellectual property,” she says, “and I loved it. Loved it. Loved it.”
Now preparing for the bar, Sandra appreciates the high bar passage rate and career placement rankings of Seton Hall Law — but also the value of the school’s personally engaged faculty. “They teach you how to think,” she says. “They helped me understand the difference between thinking like a doctor and thinking like a lawyer.”
How to Apply
First-year applications are considered for Fall Semester admission only. In order to apply, you must have or plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or a foreign equivalent prior to your anticipated date of enrollment.
The application is available electronically at www.lsac.org, and all supporting documentation
must be submitted through a valid Credential Assembly Service (CAS) account.
Admission to Seton Hall Law is selective and competitive with an entire student’s profile taken into consideration including academic background, professional expertise, personal statements, and standardized testing results.
Important Dates
PRIORITY DEADLINES:
April 1: General Admission and Financial Aid July 25: Transfer Application
FINAL DEADLINE: April 1: Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEO)
Having completed undergraduate studies in the early ‘00s, Lauren launched her banking career just in time for the mortgage crisis of 2008 — an experience which influenced her professional outlook. “I saw people being preyed upon,” she says. “I wished there was more I could do to help.”
Earning her MBA through an evening program while working fulltime in finance, she decided to pursue a JD with a similar approach — and Seton Hall Law’s Weekend JD Program was a major draw. “I didn’t want to sacrifice the late nights and travel my job requires,” she says, “so weekend study was a priority.”
Kouser
Now entering her fourth year, Lauren recognizes the school’s support of part-time students. “The faculty are rigorous, but really flexible,” she says. “They understand other obligations.” As a result, SHL makes sure part-timers have access to career-building opportunities. “You can absolutely be as involved as you want,” she says. “The faculty and administration are champions of the weekend program — they put us in a position to succeed.”
Financing your Education
All applicants for admission are eligible for merit scholarship awards — no separate application is required for consideration.
Merit scholarships are selective awards based on outstanding LSAT scores, standardized test scores, undergraduate academic performance, and academic promise and are renewable by maintaining required GPA standards or designated class rank.
Seton Hall Law is proud to report 92% of incoming students in 2020 received scholarship funding; 75% - 85% of funded students typically renew scholarships after the first year.
Contact Information
For more information about Seton Hall Law, please visit law.shu.edu/discover or call us at 973-642-8747.
The tuition and fees for the Law School are $58,174 for incoming full-time students and $44,050 for incoming part-time students for the 2020-2021 academic year.
All students interested in applying for financial aid (including student loans) must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The FAFSA may be filed electronically at www.fafsa.gov any time after October 1, 2020 for the 2021-22 academic year.
Seton Hall Law’s code: G09986. Seton Hall Law’s priority deadline is April 1, 2021.
For more information, please visit: law.shu.edu/discover Follow us:
To apply:
Forms are electronically available by setting up a Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) account. For additional information about the application process, call 973-642-8747. To register for the LSAT or subscribe to the CAS, visit www.lsac.org, or call 215-968-1001
Scholarship Information:
Further information regarding scholarships and scholarship renewal may be found at law.shu.edu/scholarships