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Touro Law, The EDNY & Federal Bar Partner to Launch the Justice Institute

July 25, 2016

The District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in partnership with the Eastern District of New York Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, launched a new civics program called The EDNY Justice Institute. The week long, interactive learning program is the first of its kind hosted by a federal court and federal judges. The program, led by Judge Joseph Bianco, is designed to introduce incoming 10th graders to the workings of the federal courts and the criminal justice system, and to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry. The program was held the Long Island Federal Courthouse in Central Islip as well as Touro Law Center and consisted of several components that allowed the students to learn all about the legal system and to develop basic advocacy skills in a fun and interesting format.

Touro Law Dean Patricia Salkin stated, “This week-long program has provided information on all aspects of the law and legal careers while teaching high school students to think critically. The students have been eager to learn and participate and I am confident that the Justice Institute will have a lasting positive impact. Additionally, the program serves to strengthen the legal education pipeline and provides an opportunity for current law students to mentor younger students who demonstrate an interest in law."

Students heard presentations from seven federal judges, FBI agents, a U.S. Secret Service Agent, Deputy U.S. Marshals, law professors, federal prosecutors, and criminal defense lawyers about their respective roles within the federal court system. The students also observed real court proceedings in the federal courthouse – including a guilty plea and a sentencing – and discussed what they observed with a federal judge. Finally, the students were taught basic advocacy skills in several sessions by experienced lawyers and participated at the end of the week in a mock trial competition against the other high school students. 

Approximately 100 students from twenty-five high schools in Nassau and Suffolk Counties participated in the inaugural program. In addition, nearly thirty law students from Touro Law Center and other local law schools volunteered to mentor the high school students and coach them for the final competition. Students and their family members enjoyed a final awards luncheon on Friday, July 22, 2016. The event’s keynote speaker was free speech activist Mary Beth Tinker. Ms. Tinker is known for her roles in the 1969 Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, a case that set a precedent for student speech in schools. The EDNY and its partners are committed to making this an annual event.

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Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center’s 185,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art law school is located adjacent to both a state and a federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York. Touro Law’s proximity to the courthouses, coupled with programming developed to integrate the courtroom into the classroom, provide a one-of-a kind learning model for law students, combining a rigorous curriculum taught by expert faculty with a practical courtroom experience. Touro Law, which has a student body of approximately 650 and an alumni base of more than 6,000, offers full- and part-time J.D. programs, several dual degree programs and graduate law programs for US and foreign law graduates. Touro Law Center is part of the Touro College system.

Touro Law’s newly implemented Portals to Practice is a cutting-edge, experiential learning program that reconceives and restructures the law school experience. Portals to Practice expands the scope and quality of legal education by focusing on the development of legal professionals, from pre-law through post-graduation. 

About the Touro College and University System 
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 29 branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/news/

For more info contact:
Patti Desrochers
Director of Communications
pattid@tourolaw.edu
(631) 761-7062

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