About

The Columbia Law High School Law Institute (“HSLI”) is a student-run organization that serves talented and motivated high school students throughout New York City. We offer free, yearlong academic programming in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Moot Court, and a specialized seminar on Saturdays in the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Courses are taught by teams of current Columbia Law School students. Teachers receive thorough training prior to class and receive ongoing support throughout the year. They are also provided with detailed curricula created by veteran HSLI instructors and board members to support high school student understanding. Each lesson contains background information, classroom activities, discussion questions, and short homework assignments that improve comprehension and engagement. Our classes are discussion-driven and aimed at fostering independent thought. At HSLI, students are encouraged to think critically, advocate thoughtfully, and work collaboratively; they are also taught to evaluate legal and policy arguments based on analytical rigor and strength of evidence.

First year students take foundational classes comprised of Constitutional Law and Criminal Law. Second year students participate in the Moot Court Program. Third year students take a specialized advance seminar. This year, the specialized seminar will focus on Wrongful Convictions & Criminal Procedure in the Fall and Human Rights & International Law in the Spring.

Ideal HSLI students are those who are interested in the legal system, wish to learn more about how it concretely impacts society, and are preparing themselves to serve and advocate for others. There is no expectation that our students have any prior experience taking legal-focused classes, or apply to law school or pursue a legal career in the future. We do, however, expect that our students apply themselves diligently to their studies in high school and beyond.