Elisabeth Haub School of Law in New York Law Schools
Elisabeth Haub School of Law
General Info:
Location: White Plains, New York (just north of NYC)
Part of: Pace University
Founded: 1976
ABA-accredited
Known for strong programs in environmental law, animal law, and sustainability law
Offers JD, LLM, and certificates in environmental and energy law
New York Law Schools Context
New York is home to many prestigious law schools, such as:
Columbia Law School
New York University (NYU) School of Law
Cornell Law School
Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
All emphasize the common law tradition, training students primarily through case law study — analyzing judicial opinions from New York courts and federal courts within New York.
Legal Education at Elisabeth Haub School of Law — Focus on Case Law
1. Case Law Method
Pace Law trains students to:
Read and brief cases — extracting facts, issues, holdings, and reasoning.
Understand precedent and stare decisis — how courts follow or distinguish previous decisions.
Analyze New York Court of Appeals and Appellate Division decisions.
Incorporate federal case law when relevant.
2. New York Case Law in Curriculum
Students study key cases decided by New York’s highest courts:
Contract Law: Berkowitz v. Mayflower Textile Co., 52 N.Y.2d 361 (1981)
Focus on the enforceability of contract terms and intent.
Torts: Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co., 248 N.Y. 339 (1928)
Famous case defining proximate cause and duty in negligence.
Criminal Law: People v. Goetz, 68 N.Y.2d 96 (1986)
Case about self-defense and reasonable belief in danger.
Environmental Law: Matter of Sierra Club v. Department of Environmental Conservation, 67 N.Y.2d 405 (1986)
A foundational case on environmental review under New York law.
3. Clinical Programs and Practical Application
The school offers various clinics that emphasize real-world use of case law:
Environmental Litigation Clinic: Students represent clients using environmental precedents.
Criminal Defense Clinic: Case law guides motion practice and trial strategy.
Family Law Clinic: Students work on custody and support issues citing New York precedent.
4. Example Case Analysis — Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co.
Facts: Plaintiff was injured by a scale that fell due to railroad employees’ actions helping a passenger.
Issue: Whether the railroad owed a duty to the plaintiff.
Holding: The court held no duty was owed because the harm was not foreseeable.
Teaching: Students learn about the limits of duty and proximate cause in negligence, a foundational concept in tort law.
Summary Table
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Location | White Plains, New York |
| Founded | 1976 |
| ABA Accreditation | Yes |
| Programs | JD, LLM, certificates in environmental and energy law |
| Educational Method | Case law focused: New York Court of Appeals and Appellate Division opinions |
| Key Cases Studied | Palsgraf v. LIRR, Berkowitz v. Mayflower Textile, People v. Goetz |
| Clinics | Environmental, criminal defense, family law |
| Common Law Tradition | Strong focus on precedent and case analysis |
Final Thoughts
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is known for its commitment to environmental and public interest law, and it trains students through a case law approach that emphasizes analyzing New York judicial decisions. This prepares graduates for practice in New York courts, where precedent is vital.
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