Buffalo, N.Y. — Canisius University will serve as a host site for the 2026 New York Youth Law Academy (NYYLA), a free, week-long summer program designed to introduce high school students to the legal profession and pathways to law school. The session will take place July 27-31.
The New York Youth Law Academy is a legal pipeline initiative that introduces high school students entering grades 9 through 12 to foundational concepts in law, civic institutions, and legal careers. The program is designed to expand access to students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the legal profession.
Through classroom instruction, interactive workshops and direct engagement with attorneys, judges and legal professionals, NYYLA participants will gain early exposure to the field and insight into potential career pathways in law and public service.
The addition of Canisius University as a host site marks a significant expansion of the Academy into Western New York and reflects the university’s strong engagement with the legal community through its nationally respected Frank G. Raichle ’68 Pre-Law Program, one of the region's most established pathways for students interested in law school and legal careers.
The Raichle Pre-Law Program provides structured advising, professional mentorship and experiential learning opportunities with legal practitioners, alumni and institutions across the region. Students gain hands-on exposure to the legal profession through internships with law firms and courts, as well as mentoring through the university's Desmond Law Society and participation in the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
A hallmark of the program is the long-running Raichle Lecture Series, which has brought members of Congress, U.S. Senators and Supreme Court justices to campus, providing students with direct exposure to leading voices in the legal profession.
The Raichle Pre-Law Program also offers at 3+3 accelerated bachelor’s-to-law degree pathway in partnership with the University at Buffalo School of Law. This selective option allows qualified students to complete both their undergraduate degree and juris doctor in six years instead of seven, offering a streamlined and cost-effective route to law school. It is open to students in a range of majors, including criminal justice, economics, English, environmental studies, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology and strategic communication.
Canisius Pre-Law students are consistently successful in gaining admission to law school, with a 90 percent acceptance rate, underscoring the program’s strong record of preparation and outcomes.
Applications are now open for the 2026 New York Youth Law Academy at Canisius University. For more information on the New York Youth Law Academy at Canisius or to apply, contact Mary Ann Krisa, Esq. at mckrisa@nycourts.gov.
