Brooklyn Law School’s recently launched Bridge-to-Success program was featured in The New York Times on July 13 and has received extensive media coverage nationally and in the New York City area.

Bridge to Success is designed to support graduates who may take longer in their job search to find meaningful employment. Under the program, if graduates have not found full-time professional positions nine months after graduation, they will receive a lump sum payment of 15 percent of their total out-of-pocket tuition costs paid while attending the Law School. The program takes effect beginning with the entering class of 2015.



Bridge to Success builds on Brooklyn Law School's nationally recognized career preparation and job placement success and is a further enhancement to the school’s comprehensive plan to support graduates as they begin their careers. The program serves as both a boost while graduates conduct their job search and as a safety net if the process takes longer than anticipated. While seeking employment, graduates must sit for the bar exam and work closely with the Law School’s career counselors on their job search.



“Our students invest a lot of time, effort, and money earning their law degrees; some students need more time and support than others to find that all-important first job to start a worthwhile career,” said Nicholas W. Allard, president and dean of Brooklyn Law School. “Bridge to Success is designed to ease the pressure for some students to settle for any job to pay for living expenses and pay off loans. We are determined to provide the counseling and financial support needed in some cases, to buy extra time, in order to land the job that fits a graduate’s talent and passion.”



The Law School’s job placement record over the last two years has been a strong 90 percent, with graduates working in all areas of the law. Graduates have found employment success in private practice, corporations, startups, government agencies, judicial clerkships, and non-profits.



The program is the latest in a package of initiatives created by the Law School to make legal education more affordable and accessible. Other initiatives include the 15 percent tuition reduction plan for all students, which began with the most recent 2-year J.D. class in May, as well as the Alumni Committed to Employing Students (ACES) program, in which the Law School partners with alumni who dedicate their time and efforts to the career success of both current students and fellow alumni through mentorship, networking, teaching, and hiring.



“Bridge to Success is yet another program that further illustrates the Law School's commitment to, and investment in, our students and graduates,” said Stuart Subotnick, Chairman of Brooklyn Law School’s Board of Trustees. “The first job after law school is critical and we want to help our graduates get the best chance at securing the job that is right for them.”

Read more:

The New York Times: Brooklyn Law School Offers a Safety Net for New Students

The Huffington Post: Brooklyn Law School Offers Partial Refund If Grads Don't Find Jobs

CNN: Brooklyn Law School to give unemployed grads money back

NBC: Brooklyn Law School: Jobless Grads Will Get Some Money Back

NPR: Interview with President and Dean Nick Allard (audio)

USA Today: Brooklyn Law School offers partial tuition refund to unemployed graduates

1010Wins: Interview with President and Dean Nick Allard (audio)

Newsday: Brooklyn Law School: Jobless grads will get some money back

Mashable: Law school proposes 15% tuition refund for jobless graduates

People.com: Brooklyn Law School to Start Refunding Tuition to Unemployed Grads

Fox News Insider: This Law School Is Offering a Safety Net for Students Who Can't Find Employment

New York Law Journal: Brooklyn to Offer Partial Refunds to Jobless Grads

NY1: In the Papers 7/13/2015 (3:37)

Metro NY: Brooklyn Law School to give students money back if they can’t find a job

Refinery29: No Job After Graduation? Brooklyn Law School Promises To Pay Students Back

Inside Higher Ed: Law School's 15% Refund to Grads Who Can't Find Jobs

Consumerist: Brooklyn Law School Program Reimburses 15% Of Tuition For Graduates Who Can’t Find Work

National Jurist: Brooklyn to reimburse some tuition to unemployed grads

Black Enterprise: Brooklyn Law School to Refund Graduates Who Have a Hard Time Finding Employment

Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Brooklyn Law School: Jobless grads will get some money back

RYOT: Brooklyn Law School’s New Program Will Payback Their Unemployed Graduates

U.S. News University Directory: Law School Gives Students 'Safety Net' in Their Career Search