All associates of the Abbey Center are required to enroll in the 2 credit Colloquium course in the spring semester of their second year of studies (or third year for evening students).

All associates are required to complete a placement related to Family Law practice each remaining year at NYLS. Students can complete the requirement through a job, an externship, clinic, or volunteer opportunity. Placements must be pre-approved by the director or Associate Director. A minimum of 2 placements, externships, or volunteer participation in family-related projects is required.

The Abbey Center Capstone Project is a required, graded course exclusively for Abbey Center Associates. Students must complete and present their projects in their final year. The project requires students to solve a real world problem related to family law. Students may fulfill the Capstone requirement via enrollment in one of a limited number of practical courses or alternative projects, after obtaining permission of the Center Director or Associate Director.

Participation in the Abbey Center Blog, www.JustFamilies.org, is required from each Associate. Associates are expected to write five posts over the course of their membership. Daytime students will work with the Center’s editor to produce three posts during their 2L year, and two additional posts during their 3L year. Evening students will produce two posts for each of their 2L & 3L years, and one post during their final year.

 

Throughout the year the Abbey Center hosts a variety of events, as well as working on several internal projects aimed at bettering the Associate experience. Event committee membership will typically require an Associate to assist with pre or post-event obligations, as well as Center responsibilities during the event. Internal projects will require students to meet several times over each semester with their committee, and do some light research or other tasks. Associates will be required to join one committee at the beginning of each school year.

 

Associates are expected to make a commitment of approximately 5 hours per semester during their time at the Diane Abbey Center for Children and Families. This commitment is typically fulfilled through an Associate’s committee membership and writing for the JustFamilies.org blog.