In 1831, the State of New York helped found and charter New York University, a private research institution. From its very first tiny all-male class to a current total of over 50,000 diverse students, NYU has established a reputation as one of the most highly-selective schools in America.
Attaining admission to the law school at NYU is an accomplishment. Graduating from NYU with a law degree is an even more laudable goal. In order to do so, law students need to navigate not only a demanding load of academic courses, but also a high set of pre-professional behavioral standards.
If a law student conducts themselves in an unprofessional way, NYU will provide severe sanctions. However, the real ramifications of misconduct as a law student go far further than simple academic discipline. A successful legal career demands impeccable character. Any stain on your reputation that future employers, the bar association, or any competitors can point to could derail your entire future.
You need to take action now to make sure that this doesn't happen to you. When you're facing misconduct allegations at NYU Law, it's time to hire a legal advisor to help you defend your reputation and your future.
The New York University Law Student Challenge: High Standards, High Expectations
The law school at NYU is prestigious. Students who graduate can expect to enjoy a successful legal career. In order to attain those benefits, however, law students need to conduct themselves professionally while they're at NYU. To help law students understand what type of behavior the law profession requires of them, NYU has provided several resources and policies detailing expected (and prohibited) conduct.
Character-and-Fitness Requirements for Law Practice
NYU Law works to make sure that its students are fit for practicing law through a rigorous set of Legal Ethics courses, one of which concerns Professional Responsibility. Through this course, NYU law students learn about the character-and-fitness requirements expected of a successful lawyer. These requirements include:
- Being able to put the interest of a client above one's own interest
- Correctly identifying and avoiding conflicts of interest
- Respecting client autonomy
- Keeping clients fully-informed
- Responding to all client needs in a timely manner
- Protecting client information
- Behaving in a civil, honest, and open manner at all times
- Displaying appropriate and professional courtroom behavior
If a student acts in any way contradicting the NYU professional code of conduct, the school will notice and provide remedial or disciplinary action.
New York University Law School's Conduct and Academic Policies
In addition to modeling professional behavior at all times, NYU Law requires all students to take a pledge of Academic Honesty. This pledge includes the following language describing overarching prohibited behavior:
“Cheating, plagiarism, forgery of academic documents, or multiple submissions of substantially the same work for duplicate credits, with intent to defraud.”
NYU Law also has a more general academic integrity and behavior policy, which states that a successful law student must exhibit a “commitment to excellence, fairness, honesty, and respect within and outside the classroom.” According to the school, this commitment “is essential to maintaining the integrity of our community.”
The New York University School of Law Student Discipline policy goes further to outline the expectations of an NYU law student.
If an NYU law student in any way exhibits behavior that the NYU School of Law deems concerning, they will be at risk for many possible sanctions. Sanctions mentioned in the relevant policies as likely repercussions include grade reduction, expulsion, suspension, and a “statement of censure” that will go in the student's permanent file. You need to avoid this at all costs, as the contents of your permanent file could have lifelong ramifications regarding your future career.
What Happens at NYU Law Following an Allegation of Misconduct
NYU Law distinguishes between informal measures and formal procedures to help adjudicate matters of student misconduct. Depending on the severity of your alleged behavior, you may expect either of the following:
- Informal measures: NYU Law uses this set of measures to address conduct that may go against community standards without specifically violating university policy.
- Formal procedures: This more stringent process will result if a student has allegedly violated a university or law school policy. NYU's Academic Policy notes that “Formal procedures are required whenever the sanction or remedy will include formal discipline of any kind, such as expulsion, suspension, or notations on academic or other official records.”
The stakes in a law student misconduct case are high. If the Bar association in your state finds out about your documented misconduct, you may not be able to write your exam, which would necessarily preclude your legal career. Even if you do manage to attain this certification, firms may hesitate to offer you employment with evidence linking you to questionable conduct.
In order to make sure your future isn't harder than it needs to be, you need to work now to keep your reputation spotless. Fortunately, you're exactly where you need to be. The Lento Law Firm is ready to help you protect your future.
Trust Joseph D. Lento to Help You Defend Your Reputation
Joseph D. Lento has worked for years to protect the reputations of students across the country. He will represent you aggressively. He will delve through your school's code of conduct to hold them accountable during their processes. He will build you a strategic defense, and he will help you protect your good name and your bright future.
You may be worried about your future. You may be frustrated about your school's policies. Joseph D. Lento has experience dealing with every type of student misconduct. He'll help you meet deadlines, handle paperwork, and sift through the information coming out of school interviews and investigations.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 to learn more about the experience and expertise we can offer you. Alternatively, you can use our online service at your convenience. Joseph D. Lento will help guide you through NYU Law's misconduct proceedings and help you pursue a successful outcome.
